Ascension Saint Agnes NICU nurses dress newborns in zoo animal costumes
For eight years, staff at the Baltimore hospital have created homemade outfits for babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to mark the holiday.
By Pablo Harrison ·
Nearly eight years ago, nurses at Ascension Saint Agnes in Baltimore began making Halloween costumes for infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The tradition has continued every year since. This season, the hospital’s Level III NICU staff dressed its youngest patients in homemade outfits representing zoo animals. The babies appear as a zebra, a lion, a flamingo, a cheetah, and other creatures.
Shannon Robertson and Jennifer Walko, two NICU nurses, lead the costume creation. They select a new theme annually and build the outfits by hand. The garments are described as wildly adorable. The process allows the medical team to add a playful element to the hospital stay.
The Level III NICU provides specialized care for newborns with complex medical needs. The unit is staffed by board-certified neonatologists, neonatal nurses, pediatric surgeons, and pediatric respiratory therapists. Jennifer Robinson, the Director of Maternal Child Services at Ascension Saint Agnes, noted that a hospital stay is often not what parents envision for a child’s first Halloween. Her team ensures every infant in their care has the opportunity to celebrate.
Robinson said there is something special about seeing the babies dressed up. She stated that the team puts a great deal of love into caring for the infants. She added that sharing this moment reminds staff that there is room for fun even in the NICU.
Source: Baltimore Times
