LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Halloween is Oct. 31 and same families are getting ready to dress up their kids and take them out on the town for some trick-or-treating. However, for some families the holiday is instead spent indoors.
Families with children in the NICU at Norton Women's and Children's Hospital are caring for their little ones who just need a bit more time in the hospital.
The NICU nurses and staff want families to still be able to celebrate their child's first spooky season. During their Halloween party the unit offers photos of each baby in their Halloween costume.
(You can see all their photos at the bottom of this article.)
Nurses Bobbi Gooch and Angie Lewis have been taking these Halloween photos for the last three years. They say it's the happiest day of the year for the NICU.
"And just that one day to be like normal even though we're in the hospital," Gooch said.
Lewis said most families don't plan to be in the NICU and so having some joy on a fun holiday can be important.
"It can be a quick visit or be a very long, three month long visit," she said. "So giving them something that they expected to happen with their baby is crucial at this point 'cause everything else is very stressful and I think this just gives them something to be happy about."
Erin Ferguson's daughter is dressed as a bumble bee this year. Her child Camille was born at 30 weeks and 6 days.
She has another child but never one who needed a stay in the NICU. She says it's really special to have these Halloween photos.
"The nurses have been very comforting and helpful for us and I think it's really special that they do things like this. It just makes it feel like we're not in the hospital. It's a lot less clinical and kind of fun," Ferguson said.
Lucy and Scott Herrmann are first time parents. Their baby boy was born 9 weeks early. Scott says their son is doing okay because of the great care he's gotten at Norton.
"It's super exciting and you know we love the holidays and we love dressing up," Lucy Herrmann said. "So, to be able to still experience his first Halloween even though we are here with the staff and with everyone is fun and just makes this experience better."
Their son is dressed as a bear this Halloween.
"We obviously have a lot of friends that are getting ready to out and trick-or treat," Scott Herrmann said. "The big question this time of the year is what are they dressing up as. So, it's nice to kind of normalize our experience a little bit, take some time and celebrate his first holiday in a fun way."
Here are the photos from Norton's NICU Halloween party.
