In celebration of Halloween, the babies in the neonatal ICU at the Advocate Children’s Hospitals in Oak Lawn and Park Ridge, IL, are taking part in the cutest costume contest.
According to the hospital, its critical care team transfers more than 300 mothers and infants every year from other area hospitals to Advocate Children’s Hospital for advanced medical care.
The annual event was started by the hospital’s neonatal nurses in hopes of bringing smiles to the faces of these parents, some of whom have been there for up to three months without being able to regularly hold or care for their baby.
“This brings a little bit of normalcy into their parent’s life,” Deb Skopec, one of the nurses told ABC News. “They get to have a little fun, which they don’t always have on a daily basis here. ”
According to ABC News, around 40 preemie babies are involved in the contest this year, dressed in aw-inspiring costumes that range from traditional pumpkins to trendy mermaids and, aptly, superheroes and fighters.
“She’s our little Wonder Woman. She’s our superhero,” said one father of his daughter dress as the superhero. “She still has a long road ahead. ”
Watch the heartwarming video above, then head over to the Advocate Children’s Hospital’s Facebook page where you can “like” the photos to vote for your favorite costumes.
Though it’s hard not to like them all, the photo with the most likes by October 31 will win a $150 gift card to Babies R Us.
