Each year, as October approaches, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Tufts Medical Center begins to feel a little more magical. Amid the monitors and gentle hum of life-saving equipment, a quiet transformation is underway. While most people are deciding between pumpkins or ghosts for their front yards, NICU nurses Molly Nichols, RN and Lindsay D’Angelo, RN are spending their evenings handcrafting Halloween costumes small enough to fit babies weighing as little as 2.5 pounds.
For the past seven years, these two nurses have turned their love for Halloween and their deep compassion for their patients into something truly special. Every fall, they create handmade costumes for each baby in the NICU, giving families a moment of joy and normalcy during what's often an emotional and uncertain time.
“We know that holidays in the NICU can be tough,” said Lindsay. “Parents might be missing out on milestones they thought they’d get to experience at home, so we try to bring those moments to them, even in a small way.”
It’s a labor of love that begins weeks in advance. Each costume starts with a preemie- or newborn-sized onesie, many of which Molly hand-dyes herself to match the costume theme.
“You’d be surprised how hard it is to find certain colors in preemie sizes,” said Molly. “Dyeing them by hand gives us more creative freedom. Plus, it means each one is truly one of a kind.”
Using iron-on vinyl and a Cricut machine, the pair transforms these tiny garments into cheerful bees, ducklings, Dalmatians or sailors, some of their all-time favorites. Every detail is thoughtfully considered, from the fit of the costume to making sure it doesn't interfere with any medical equipment.
In recent years, they’ve made between 35 and 40 costumes each Halloween. It’s a big undertaking, but one they never question.
“We do it for the families,” said Lindsay. “Even if their baby’s only in a costume for a few minutes, those photos become lifelong memories.”
The entire NICU gets in on the celebration. The unit is decorated and almost every department joins in. Nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, PAs, NPs, PT and OT staff, lactation consultants and more all dress up for the day. Each baby also gets a Halloween-themed craft using their footprint—another keepsake for families to take home when the time is right.
“It really becomes a whole-unit event,” said Molly. “There’s so much heart in it. Everyone comes together to make the day feel special.”
The costumes aren’t just adorable—they’re meaningful. For parents facing long days and nights by their baby's bedside, Halloween in the NICU is a reminder that even in the hardest moments, there's room for celebration and hope.
“We’ve had parents tell us they’ll remember this day forever,” said Molly. “That makes every stitch and every late night worth it.”
With Halloween just around the corner, Molly and Lindsay are once again crafting tiny costumes that bring big smiles to the NICU. For this team, the holiday is a moment to celebrate resilience, compassion and the remarkable strength of their smallest patients.
