Newborns off to warm start in life

CUTE AND COSY: Halo, 4-day-old daughter of Pam Crudis, of Eketahuna, is surrounded by woollens provided to Wairarapa Hospital's maternity ward by the women's institute.

Women's Institute Wairarapa members donated almost 200 woollen items to Wairarapa Hospital on Tuesday, having knitted them to keep newborns warm and cosy.

Though it was not the first year the women had knitted for the hospital, it was the first time they had knitted using wool donated by the community.

Wairarapa president Suzanne Bannister said the wool was greatly appreciated.

"Many members love to knit but the costs of wool can be expensive for them," she said.

"So at our meeting in April we had all of this wool donated and we said, 'knit whatever you want'.

"And at the end of July, at our midwinter lunch, we asked for all to come back. And look at what we have!

"And there's still wool out there and still people knitting.

"This is the first year we've actually asked for donations of wool so we're just overwhelmed with the response ... and any more wool we would welcome."

Pam Crudis, mother of newborn Halo, was the first to dress her baby with this year's donated items.

"I can't knit but I love knitted things," she said.

"It reminds me of my nana. To me, who doesn't have a nana any more, knitted stuff is always special.

"And I think it keeps the baby warmer, especially in the country."

Charge midwife Alison Andrews said the donation of woollen items by the women's institute was a lovely, generous gesture appreciated by mothers and families of newborns.

"They [women's institute members] came last year as well and donated another lovely load of knitted items which we give out to mums and the families throughout the winter months," she said.

"The little vests and hats and booties keep them extra warm.

"We have lots of people knitting for us so it's not just the women's institute, we also have individuals that sometimes come in with bags of knitted items so as soon as they come in we just hand them on.

"People are really pleased to have the donations because every baby that's born gets a knitted hat ... the hat goes on once baby has been wrapped and dried and it helps to keep them warm.

"And in theatres, as well, the babies that are born in Caesarian section also get a knitted hat.

"All these beautifully knitted items really are so lovely and it's such a generous gesture as well."

Lizzie Udy, who has worked as a midwife for four years, said the donations were appreciated, especially because it could get cold in the hospital for newborns.

"We keep the items in our storeroom to give to the babies that come through," she said.

"And there's some babies that have come to hospital without any woollens provided, so we can provide it for them.

"Because it can get quite cold in here at night, too. And then people can take the knitted items home when they leave here.

"And people really appreciate it, too."

The women's institute woollens included 35 jumpers, 25 pairs of booties, 59 hats, and many other items.