November 1, 2025 - MADERA, Calif. – As part of an annual tradition stitched together with love, nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Valley Children’s handcrafted Halloween costumes for their tiny patients this year.

Each year, nurses donate their time and creativity to put together around 100 costumes, ensuring no baby misses out on their first holiday celebration.

“For families in the NICU, it’s a hard journey,” said Talor Bricker, a NICU nurse at Valley Children’s who helps spearhead the effort. “They lose that birthing experience of getting to bring their baby home, and then on top of that, they miss out on some of their first holidays.”

The costumes, made in various sizes to fit the hospital’s tiniest patients, range from whimsical to elaborate. Nurses often get competitive with their designs, showcasing their creativity and care.

“The families love it,” Bricker said. “They get a kick out of seeing all the different costumes and the creativity that all the nurses have.”

This year, some of the standouts included Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz,” numerous superheroes and characters from “Naruto.”

“It’s very rewarding,” she said. “It’s something that’s special that we get to do.”

Once the patients are dressed up on Halloween morning, nurses help families take photos with their babies, creating keepsakes that can be cherished for years.

Bricker said she loves seeing photos of the babies on the Valley Children’s Instagram page and always looks forward to showing off the costumes to her own family.

The tradition has become a beloved part of the NICU’s culture, and a small yet meaningful way to bring light to families during a challenging time.

To learn more about the NICU at Valley Children’s, click here.



Source: Valley Children's Healthcare, Madera, CA.