Ask any parent whose baby has had an extended stay in the hospital, and they will tell you it can be tough. Being unable to be with your child all the time can be physically and emotionally draining. But knowing that your child is cared for and loved by an incredible medical team can be very reassuring.
Advocate Children's Hospital's campuses in Illinois and Wisconsin are ensuring their patients have an extra special October with the annual NICU Halloween Costume Bash. Parents are encouraged to dress up their babies for the costume contest, and what they've come up with is pretty amazing. The hospital shared pics of the costumed cuties, and people can't get enough.
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Having your child away for some of their firsts can be challenging.
The staff at Advocate Children's understands how tough it is for parents, so they do their best to get them to have a little fun. Elishebah Fils-Aime and Louis Leathers' son, Noah, was born at 28 weeks and has spent the first four months of his life in the hospital. His dad told Good Morning America that getting him dressed up like Yoda — one of his favorites — was enjoyable.
"I think it's so cool that they even do stuff like the little Halloween costume [bash]," Leathers told the morning news show. "I think it's very good for the parents to boost morale and get an opportunity to dress your child and have fun despite [the babies] still [needing] medical treatment and assistance."
Fils-Aime said that these memories will be with their family forever.
She explained to Good Morning America that the beginning of Noah's life wasn't typical, but it is his story, and she wants to soak up all she can.
"[Noah's] never seen the sun," she said. "He doesn't know the outside exists and … to be able to have those moments to look back on and show him like, 'Hey, this is you in the hospital, dressed up for Halloween,' just to show him it wasn't all struggle, wasn't all sad [and that] we got to enjoy some of it [is] an amazing thing."
The news show reported some good news: Noah was released earlier this week and will be home for his first Halloween.
The Halloween Costume Bash is a long-honored tradition at Advocate Children's.
Advocate Children's Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Michelle Tracy shared in a statement obtained by Good Morning America that families of babies in the NICU look forward to the annual celebration.
"Supporting our tiniest patients also means bringing smiles and a touch of normalcy to the entire family," Tracy said. "Helping these babies dress up for Halloween is one way that we can celebrate their resilience and create the joy that they so deserve."
Everyone can get in on the fun.
Voting for the costume contest is open on the hospital's Facebook page, where the rules have been laid out.
"To submit your vote(s), simply "LIKE" your favorite photo (you can vote for more than one). The top two photos with the most votes by October 27th at 12 p.m. noon CST will receive a prize," the post reads.
"GOOD LUCK! We think they are ALL winners!"
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And so do a lot of fans on Facebook.
"This is one of my favorite posts every year!!!" one follower wrote.
And we have to agree with this guy: "If these don't make u smile something is wrong with u. These are all great. Lots of creative people. So adorable."
"I can't pick just one! I LOVE them all! They're allllll so darn adorable!" someone else commented.
Thankfully, you don't have to select a single winner. You can vote for one or all of the darling babies. It is too hard to choose. They are all so darn cute.
