Karlee Gaston, RN, NICU parent educator, gets an infant ready to hand to Santa who looks a lot like Jo Duff, RN, newborn NICU assistant nurse manager.
Photographing Santa Claus holding tiny NICU patients has become an annual tradition at many hospitals. But caregivers had to adapt this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s hard to have a baby in the NICU at any time, but around the holidays, the stress and sadness can hit new levels,” says Alice Casper, RN, Intermountain Medical Center NICU nurse manager. “For years in our NICU we’ve had Santa come in and meet and take pictures with our tiny patients. Then when COVID hit, and even Santa wasn’t allowed to visit, we had to find something different to do.”
Primary Children’s caregivers and Intermountain Medical Center volunteers tracked down a Santa costume, including a white beard, gloves, and a red furry coat. They donned Santa’s gear, then cradled tiny infants in their arms for a close-up picture to give to each baby’s parents to cheer them up during the holidays. The pictures show the caregiver from the beard to belt, and hide their masked faces.
Nurses say the photo with Santa is an important part of caring for the fragile babies and their families during the holidays, and a fun and exciting way to continue the joy of the season. Families often use the pictures on Christmas cards and other holiday greetings.
“It’s Santa magic that we get to bring a slice of joy to these families who are stuck here, for lack of better words, during the holidays,” says Santa’s helper Jo Duff, RN, assistant nurse manager in the Primary Children’s NICU. “I know these parents are entrusting us with their beautiful babies every single day, and it breaks my heart that they have to be here. So, if we can make it just a little bit brighter and joyful for them, it’s the greatest honor and privilege in my life.”