Mother Finds Unique Costume Solution for Her Premature Newborn

Finding a Halloween costume for a very young baby can be a challenge, even more so when the baby is born prematurely. Trinity Coley, a mother from North Carolina, encountered this issue while looking for a costume for her 3-week-old daughter, Paisley. Paisley was so small that even preemie clothes were too large. Coley, a mother of two, faced the added challenge of coordinating her daughter’s outfit with her older son, who dressed as Woody from Toy Story.

Coley found an unexpected solution in her search for a costume. She discovered a Belle outfit designed for Build-A-Bear stuffed animals. This tiny costume fit Paisley perfectly, making her first Halloween a memorable event. “After searching and not having much luck finding something that would fit her, I came across the Belle Build-A-Bear outfit and thought it would be absolutely adorable!” Coley told PEOPLE. “I loved the idea of having my own little princess for Halloween.”

Build-A-Bear is known for its range of customizable outfits for their stuffed animals. Instead of using the Belle outfit for a bear, Coley decided to try it on her daughter. The result was a costume that suited Paisley perfectly. “Seeing my baby girl all dressed up melted my heart,” Coley shared. “She looked absolutely precious, and I couldn’t stop taking pictures of her!”

While the Build-A-Bear clothing isn’t suitable for everyday use for a baby, Coley appreciates it as a fun choice for special occasions. She expressed her openness to using similar tiny costumes in the future. “I’m not sure about using Build-A-Bear clothes for everyday outfits…but I will definitely keep them in mind for cute little costumes and special occasions!” she said.

Coley’s story resonated with many, and she hopes to inspire other parents of premature newborns to consider this creative solution. She found in her exchanges with other parents that many had also explored this idea. “It’s such a cute and creative alternative, and I’m so glad I thought to give it a try!” Coley told PEOPLE.