Some first Halloweens don’t take place in a pumpkin-decorated home, but inside a neonatal intensive care unit. 🎃❤️
This October 2026, Advocate Health children’s hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin once again held their annual costume contest for babies hospitalized in their NICUs.
Parents and care teams worked together to safely dress the little patients in various costumes, from a soccer ball to a lion. The photos are also part of a Facebook vote, where the most popular ones will receive a special prize from the hospital.
More than a competition, the activity aims to give families a moment of normalcy and joy amid an especially difficult time.