Hospital dresses NICU babies for Halloween, and it's too cute

Sidney Ryder has spent the first three months of his life in the hospital, and it may be a month or more before his parents can take him home.

One thing he won't miss out on, though, is his first Halloween.

As his parents, Waylon and Katherine, held him on their daily visit Monday, Sidney was decked out in a homemade sheriff's outfit, courtesy of the NICU staff at Rapides Regional Medical Center.

He was one of many babies in the unit dressed up as staff members went all out to make sure the hospital's tiniest patients and their families didn't miss out on Halloween memories.

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"We wanted to do something nice for the babies and their families," said Julie Pittman, a nurse in the NICU. "It's their first Halloween; they need something to remember.Being up here is very stressful for parents. We're trying to make it as easy as we can for them."

Costumes ranged from a bumblebee to a strawberry to the Little Mermaid.

Sidney's costume was a nod to her father, who works for the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office.

He was born at just less than 24 weeks, making him a micro preemie (born under 26 weeks). Such babies often face months of hospitalization before they can go home.

Waylon and Katherine are hoping they can take their son home by the end of November. He has not shown signs of distress, which they count as a blessing.

"Thank God he's doing well," Waylon said. "That's what's important."