Families in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at UPMC Magee‑Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh are experiencing a festive Halloween thanks to the dedication of nurse Riley Smolksy. Over the past weeks Smolksy, with help from her mother, friends, and the Duquesne Women’s Club soccer team, has sewn roughly 80 handmade costumes for the unit’s infants.
Costumes for every baby
For the first time the NICU has an individual costume for each baby. “We’re going to go around and give some out and hang out with families and parents and get to give them a little bit of normalcy around the holiday while they’re spending time in the NICU,” Smolksy explained.
One of the newest arrivals, baby Ezra, was born at 33 weeks and dressed as Elmo, a nod to his older sister’s love for the beloved Sesame Street character. “Ezra’s older sister is obsessed with Elmo, and she kept saying, ‘Baby Elmo, baby Elmo,’ so we’re really excited for him to be dressed up as Elmo for Halloween here,” said his parents, David and Megan Schmiech.
Creative designs for all ages
The costumes range from classic characters to whimsical ideas. Twins were outfitted as candy bars, ketchup, and mustard, while 11‑week‑early baby Owen celebrated his first Halloween as a hot dog. Owen’s mothers, Sarah and Zoe Kreinberg, expressed gratitude: “The fact that the team was able to do that here is really heartwarming. It makes us feel like they’re a part of our family, which is really nice.”
Beyond costumes: lasting memories
Smolksy, who has been a NICU nurse for six years, also creates keepsake items to mark each baby’s milestones, giving families tangible reminders of their time in the unit. “I think doing stuff like this maybe makes their dark days a little bit brighter,” she said.
The effort reflects a broader commitment within the hospital to support families emotionally as well as medically. By providing a festive, community‑focused experience, the NICU staff helps parents and caregivers find moments of joy amid the challenges of premature birth and intensive care.
Community involvement
The project would not have been possible without volunteers. The Duquesne Women’s Club soccer team contributed time and materials, illustrating how local organizations can partner with healthcare providers to uplift patients and families.
As Halloween approaches, the NICU plans to continue distributing the handmade costumes, ensuring that every infant—regardless of size or gestational age—has a chance to participate in the holiday tradition.
Looking ahead
Smolksy hopes the initiative will inspire other units and hospitals to consider similar community‑driven projects. “When families see that we’re thinking about them beyond the medical care, it strengthens the bond between the hospital and the community,” she said.
Original reporting: WTAE (Hearst) – local — read the source article.
