In Washington, and indeed throughout the United States, NICU babies are capturing hearts and earning accolades for their delightful first Halloween costumes.

This charming tradition sees newborns in neonatal intensive care units dressed up in tiny Halloween costumes, allowing them to partake in the festive atmosphere. The initiative serves as a much-needed source of joy for families and healthcare workers alike.

Here’s a glimpse into how various hospitals are celebrating Halloween with their NICU babies:

At Jacobs Medical Center at UC San Diego Health, several newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit have been transformed into mini superheroes and icons, including Batman and Robin, Disney Princesses, and even a Gladiator.

Several babies in the neonatal intensive care unit at Jacobs Medical Center at UC San Diego Health transformed into Batman and Robin, Disney Princesses and the Gladiator.

The Sutter Health Child Life team held a costume-making workshop for families of babies in the neonatal intensive care unit.

University of Louisville Hospital dressed their NICU babies in spooky, yet adorable, costumes.

The babies from Saint Francis are celebrating Halloween this year in style, with a series of photos and costumes paying homage to the 1939 classic film, “The Wizard of Oz.”

Costumes representing characters like Dorothy, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion were lovingly hand crocheted by a retired Saint Francis nurse.

NICU babies at Regional One were dressed up as different candies this year, ahead of Oct. 31.

From a Starbucks drink to a Barbie doll – complete with the box – the NICU baby costume photo shoot is a tradition that Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health’s Women & Babies Hospital looks forward to every year.

Nurses at Mission Trail Baptist Hospital on the south side of San Antonio and Westover Hills Baptist Hospital on the far west side of San Antonio, created Western-themed Halloween costumes and a rustic fall backdrop – complete with cowboy boots, bandanas, cowboy hats, cow prints, pumpkins and smiles for miles — for new parents to cherish. 

Nurses at SSM Health in Madison dressed up one NICU baby as a mermaid, with an entourage of scuba divers.

NICU babies at CHRISTUS Children’s dressed up as various Disney characters, from Buzz Lightyear to Nemo.

Aspirus Health nurses dressed up NICU babies in various food and career related costumes, from Dippin’ Dots and cookies to construction workers.

The NICU at Rady Children’s Hospital got very colorful for Halloween, as the babies and nurses dressed up as crayons.

NICU babies at Children’s of Alabama became cowboys, astronauts and dinosaurs for the Halloween holiday.

Patients at Main Line Health’s Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital were dressed up as superheroes and cartoon characters.