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One hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit in Ohio is embracing the wickedly good spirit of Oz.
On Monday, Nov. 17, the Dayton Children’s Hospital shared its special way of involving its smallest patients in the celebration of the highly anticipated release of Wicked: For Good. In a post on Facebook, the hospital showcased its NICU babies dressed as some of the beloved characters from the iconic series.
Dayton Children’s Hospital
In the pictures, the babies can be seen channeling all of the “courage, heart and joy” of Oz in their tiny costumes.
One newborn adorned a pink dress complete with a silver crown and star wand, channeling Ariana Grande’s Glinda. Another wore an all black outfit with a big witch hat and broomstick, embracing her inner Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo).
Other babies in the NICU dressed up as the characters who ease on down the yellow brick road. One baby was dressed as Dorothy, wearing a blue-and-white checkered dress and a matching headband with red booties.
Other babies channeled Dorothy’s group of friends, adorning Tin Man, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion costumes.
Dayton Children’s Hospital
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According to the hospital, each costume added a “spark of joy” to the NICU, which is a place where families are going through some of their most challenging days. This heartwarming Wicked-inspired tribute is one of their ongoing efforts to create joyful memories and experiences for the families, connecting them to the world beyond the hospital walls.
“While the outfits may be small, their impact is anything but,” the hospital’s post read. “For parents spending their baby’s earliest moments in the hospital, these glimpses of normalcy matter more than words can say.”
One mom opened up about how “nice” it was to have the opportunity to celebrate these small moments with their little ones.
“It’s nice for us to get to do some things that normal parents would get to do with their babies—having the opportunity to have these fun moments, to see people celebrating your child, not worrying about him,” said Brittany, a NICU mom at Dayton Children’s Hospital. “It means the world.”
