Nobody plans to spend time in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with a new
baby – especially during a holiday. But for premature babies born
at Catawba Valley Medical Center, Halloween brings a special treat for parents.
A holiday seems like a natural time for parents to show off their new arrival,
but when their baby demands around-the-clock care, nurses try to make
the occasion as special as possible.
For several years, CVMC neonatal nurse Katie Windsor has created precious
Halloween costumes for her tiny patients in the NICU. This year’s
costumes include little chickens, piggies, duckies and more.
“The reaction to this year’s costumes has been amazing,”
says Windsor. “Parents seeing babies in their first costume is cause
for much excitement.”
Windsor and her colleagues have felt a calling to be “baby nurses”
and are humbled by the opportunity to get to know the stories and the
families of their patients. She says they are always looking for opportunities
to help parents participate in special baby art activities like handprint
and footprint keepsakes.
“Many of our infants have tiny, quarter-size footprints to begin
with,” Windsor continued. “It’s heartening for parents
to preserve their baby’s little footprint and see it grow over time.”
Making memories – like a child wearing his or her first Halloween
costume – is yet another way these nurses help families with premature
babies find joy during trying times.