Public Health nurses put together 'quilt kits' for newborns

By RACHEL WEDDIG

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Brown County Public Nurses are busy volunteering their time after work to prepare "quilt kits," for newborns born in Brown County. Then, volunteers and organizations from the community sew the quilts together and return them back to the county nurses to be given out during home visits.

The quilt project is part of the Universal Contact Program, which provides a free home visit by a public heath nurse to all families in Brown County when they have a new baby. The program supplies all the materials for the quilts.

"We plan for about 300 quilts each year, which is how many babies are normally born in Brown County each year," said Brown County Public Health Supervisor Judy Mathiowetz.

Brown County Public Nurse Terri Helland makes many of the home visits to check in with the mother and her newborn. The optional visit lasts anywhere from 1-2 hours. The nurses have a 98 percent acceptance rate.

"The quilt serves as a great visual piece for the mothers," Helland said. "When I give them the quilt, I remind the mom to lay their baby on their stomach while awake to help with motor development skills."

Mathiowetz is very pleased with the response from the community.

"We've been very lucky," Mathiowetz said. "We have gotten many ladies from 4H groups to help with this project. We have really good people wanting to help with this."

The nurses spend a couple of nights a year, usually three hours at a time, to prepare the "quilt kits." The nurses cut the fabric, batting and then packages the materials for pick-up. Once the quilts are made, they are returned to the public health office.

Mathiowetz said the mothers receive a note telling them who made their baby's quilt, in case they want to send the quilt-maker a "thank you" card. She said she usually tries to give the quilts to mothers and quilt-makers who live in the same area, so they may run into each other.

"It's nice to run into the mom later and see the quilt all worn out," Mathiowetz said. "It makes you feel good, knowing the mom really used the quilt. It's good for members of the community to see the blankets being used. It's a good example of support from the community."

During the home visits, the nurse brings information and does a health assessment on the baby. The nurse reminds the mother of home safety and health issues and answers any questions the mother may have. The nurse also may do a follow-along program where she monitors the baby's development for four years.

Mathiowetz is really proud of her public health employees.

"When I see the dedication of my employees to the health of the community, it makes me feel good," Mathiowetz said. "It's good to see a staff so dedicated and seeing them work beyond their regular day. Everyone in public health really has a strong interest in community health."

Public health employees hope the community realizes that public health is just that - public.

"I hope the community understands that public health is a place for everyone," Helland said. "It's a community service and information office. As taxpayers, it's for everyone. It's interesting to see how many questions people have. Everyone can benefit from public health."

Anyone interested in making a quilt, stop in the Brown County Public Health building at 1117 Center Street in New Ulm, or call 233-6820 or 1-888-359-2809.