PHOTOS: Children’s National helps parents with newborns in intensive care celebrate Halloween

Parents hope to share many milestones with their newborns, and baby’s first Halloween usually gives them a chance to bust out an adorable chunky pumpkin costume.

Children’s National Hospital in D.C. says for parents with children in their Newborn Intensive Care Unit, the holiday gives parents the chance to participate in some much-needed levity with their kids with the help of the hospital’s staff.

<p>“We know that ‘Baby’s 1st Halloween’ is an important milestone for parents everywhere, and it’s no different for the Children’s National Hospital NICU patients and families,” Children’s National spokesperson Gabrielle Little told WTOP.</p>

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A child in Children’s National Hospital’s NICU dressed as a paint palette for Halloween 2021. (Courtesy Children's National Hospital)

“We know that ‘Baby’s 1st Halloween’ is an important milestone for parents everywhere, and it’s no different for the Children’s National Hospital NICU patients and families,” Children’s National spokesperson Gabrielle Little told WTOP.

<p>“Bringing the Halloween fun to our littlest patients is one of the many ways we work to keep our families’ spirits high during what is often a stressful time,” Little said.</p>

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A child in Children’s National Hospital’s NICU dressed as an astronaut for Halloween 2021. (Courtesy Children's National Hospital)

“Bringing the Halloween fun to our littlest patients is one of the many ways we work to keep our families’ spirits high during what is often a stressful time,” Little said.

<p>“From Batman, to an astronaut and a paint palette, the creativity of our families was on display this year!”</p>

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A child in Children’s National Hospital’s NICU dressed as a butterfly for Halloween 2021. (Courtesy Children's National Hospital)

“From Batman, to an astronaut and a paint palette, the creativity of our families was on display this year!”

<p>Children’s National Hospital’s NICU is a level 4 neonatal program, meaning they offer a full range of specialists to attend to newborns.</p>

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A child in Children’s National Hospital’s NICU dressed as a pumpkin for Halloween 2021. (Courtesy Children's National Hospital)

Children’s National Hospital’s NICU is a level 4 neonatal program, meaning they offer a full range of specialists to attend to newborns.

<p>The hospital said they work with parents to make the time they spend in the NICU with their children as comfortable as possible.</p>

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A child in Children’s National Hospital’s NICU dressed as Batman for Halloween 2021. (Courtesy Children's National Hospital)

The hospital said they work with parents to make the time they spend in the NICU with their children as comfortable as possible.

Zeke Hartner

Zeke Hartner is a digital writer/editor who has been with WTOP since 2017. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University’s Political Science program and an avid news junkie.