Betty Little’s blankets soften babies’ time at Madison Hospital

MADISON – Betty Little is one of those rare people who thinks more about others than she does about herself. This selfless person has embarked on her own ‘ministry’ to soothe Madison Hospital’s youngest patients.

Little knits soft, cuddly blankets for infants who are receiving treatment at the hospital.

“We are fortunate to be in a community that blankets us with support. Betty Little is a prime example,” Madison Hospital President Mary Lynne Wright said.

“For the past few years, Ms. Little has been knitting warm, colorful baby blankets and hats for our newborns. She came by the hospital recently to drop off some more of her beautiful handmade creations,” Wright said.

“Madison Hospital’s nurses give the blankets to the babies and their parents. The blankets do go home with the patients. I know the staff are very thankful for volunteers like Mrs. Little,” Renee Colquitt said.

Colquitt is a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner or CRNP and earned Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Board Certification or NNP-BC. At Madison Hospital, Colquitt works as Director of Perinatal Services.

“Betty Little provides something that most of us can’t — handmade, thoughtful gifts to the families. I feel like the hospital is here for the community, and it is always touching when the community responds back by being here for us,” Colquitt said.

“We are all connected for the greater good of our community. When Mrs. Little came to the hospital that day, she just said knitting was something she enjoyed. She had extra time on her hands, and she thought the babies could use them,” Colquitt said. “She likes knowing the babies are getting something nice.”

Betty J. Madison, who works as Executive Assistant to the President at Madison Hospital, also helps coordinate blanket deliveries as hospital liaison with Little.

During one recent visit, Madison Hospital employees Bless Stonecypher, JoAnna Yoder, Lauren Treadway, Kristine Taff and Colquitt met with Little and accepted the latest bundle of blankets.

“These blankets are used primarily in our Level II nursery but at times for well babies and children in the Emergency Department. In the Level II nursery, parents often have to leave their child there when they are discharged home. This is scary for most parents,” Colquitt said.

“The blankets can be placed under the baby as a bed covering or, once moved to an isolette (a clear, plastic crib that is enclosed), to cover the isolette to make a nice dark, cozy environment for baby,” Colquitt said. “It helps the parents get to see their baby as just that . . . their baby.”

Having the comfort of a blanket, and even a cap, transforms a scary hospital environment into a setting that’s more like home. “It also shows that someone is thinking and praying for their baby, even though they have never met them,” Colquitt said.

Receiving Little’s blankets is a genuinely positive gesture to these parents, Colquitt said. “The nursing staff also enjoy making the beds, and the babies look cute.”

For more information, visit madisonhospital.org.