Babies get special visitor

Only 12 days old, little Brogan wore the ideal outfit for his big meeting. The infant sported a white and green striped onesie with a matching hat that made him look like a tiny elf—perfect for his first trip to Santa’s lap. When Santa took Brogan in his arms, the baby nestled into the soft suit with a look of contentment. On Tuesday, Dec. 20, Jolly Old St. Nicholas took time out of his busy holiday schedule to visit Brogan and other babies and their siblings while posing for pictures at Sanford Health’s Well Baby Clinic outside Sanford Birth Center. It was Santa’s first trip to the clinic. “It’s awesome,” said Lori Bergquist, a registered nurse and certified lactation counselor at Sanford Health. “Any event like this parents just love.”

That much was clear. Most of the parents came equipped with cameras and were eager to have their babies pose with Santa.

Not all the babies were as keen on the idea.

While the littler ones like Brogan snuggled into Santa’s cozy arms, some of the ones closer to 1 needed a little persuading. Such was the case with Makenna, who didn’t know what to think of Father Christmas at first but eventually warmed to the idea and sat still for her photo.

For Santa, the visit with the babies was a welcome break from the high demands of the season.

“Their requests are a lot simpler,” he said.

Well Baby Clinic is offered 1—4 p.m. every Tuesday and 5—7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at Sanford Birth Center. At the no-appointment-necessary, free clinics, Birth Center staff weigh babies and take other measurements to track development from birth to 1 year old. Parents also have a chance to ask questions of staff at that time while socializing with other families and meeting other babies.

Click here for more information on the clinics, or call 701.323.6580.