Looking Out for the Good: Newborn babies gifted to parents inside cozy Christmas stockings at Riverton hospital

RIVERTON — Every December, Intermountain Riverton Hospital’s labor and delivery unit gifts parents of newborn babies with a special stocking.

It’s the hospital staff’s way of adding a little Christmas cheer to families as they navigate the holiday season with a newborn.

“We just love the idea that they can be bundled up in this cute little stocking during Christmas time,” said nurse manager Ashley Wright.

Parents Zach Baird and Rachel Nelson said their newborn son O’Ryan is in the NICU, and his little stocking brings them joy.

“Being able to dress him up and put him in the stocking. He looks so adorable. We take photos and videos of him even when he’s here,” Baird said. “Obviously we care so much and it’s so hard to leave him when we have to.”

Nurses at Riverton Hospital have been wrapping these precious gifts in stockings since the hospital opened 15 years ago. In the beginning, nurses would get together and sew the stockings, and volunteers like Boy Scout troops would help out.

“I think we overestimated the size of the babies in the beginning they were so huge,” Wright said.

Now, the cozy stockings are purchased so every family can take home their December baby with a sweet memento.

“It’s really important for the parents to bring some cheer to them,” said NICU nurse manager Annjanette Jenson.

Working during the holidays can be tough, but these nurses look forward to continuing this tradition every year.