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Original poster

Should cot cards be gender neutral or dont you mind pink and blue?

208 replies

EachandEveryone · 27/12/2018 12:06

Thats it really. We need to order a load more and theres no point wasting the NHS money. I just wondered if we had moved on from pink and blue as i notice a lot more babies are being dressed in neutral colours. Or, does it not bother you?

OP posts:
Original poster
EachandEveryone · 27/12/2018 12:26

This isnt AIBU. Its a question thats all believe me when you see hundreds of babies you notice the subtle changes over the years. And at the moment parents a definately moving away from pink and blue and apparently you dont need to ask the sex not even in a chatty way!

Cot cards are used in scbu with the date of birth sex weight name etc. If we run out of pink do use blue would people be upset? And people do get upset when their baby isnt with them of course they do.

Im not after and argument i just want to know if you are bothered.

OP posts:
Redcrayons · 27/12/2018 12:26

For every person on here saying they wouldn't mind getting the 'wrong' colour, there will be x10 people in real life who do mind. I'd go for a load of white ones if they're cheaper.

Jazzhan · 27/12/2018 12:27

DD was born at a time when you were kept in for 5 full days after a c-section. I guess now, when you can be in and out in one day, there's no need for a cot.

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Families
3out · 27/12/2018 12:28

NerrSnerr just parents, our siblings etc. But post birth I’m far too tired to be arsed with a debate following a throw away comment.

If there’s lots of blue name cards left butused plain card for girls and blue for the boys until all the blue was used upu

Chewbecca · 27/12/2018 12:28

Is white cheapest? Just go with white.

3out · 27/12/2018 12:30

Sorry, phone went bonkers. Should read use the blue up and then use plain for everyone

OddBoots · 27/12/2018 12:32

I'd suggest white with a some pink and blue felt tips available for parents to use to decorate them if they like but I know that might not be practical in a busy unit.

Dothehappydance · 27/12/2018 12:33

I have never been in the situation, but I could imagine it being a bit of 'the final straw' for some if they were to get the 'wrong' colour. So whilst perhaps not upsetting in its self, but added to everything else it will be.

For some, as well, all they will have is a memory box, it could be more important for them.

I would go for cream/white etc if not the 'right' colour.

NottonightJosepheen · 27/12/2018 12:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

scaevola · 27/12/2018 12:37

If you're buying for NHS, then I'd order as plain a card as possible, to keep printing costs down and have one card suitable for all (including in theless common circumstances of an intersex birth)

Yes, parents might want to take the card as a keepsake, and I really can't imagine anyone caring that their newborn/s weren't colourcoded by officialdom at birth

whatswithtodaytoday · 27/12/2018 12:40

Is it easier for the midwives/staff to have an identifying colour? If not, I'd definitely prefer white. Wouldn't mind at all having the 'wrong' colour, but I don't like pink and it seems a bit daft to buy specific colours when you might then run out and upset someone.

Knittink · 27/12/2018 12:41

Can't believe people are being rude to the OP when all she was trying to do was canvas opinion so as to be considerate to parents of newborn babies. Hmm

It will vary massively, OP. Some people are still very into the pink/blue thing, some aren't bothered, and others think it's about time we stopped thinking colour has anything to do with what sex you are. However I wouldn't think that the colour of a cot card would be high on anyone's priority list if they have a baby in scbu.

AnotherEmma · 27/12/2018 12:44

I would get all white because if you have pink/blue and run out of a colour, someone is bound to get offended if you have to use the "wrong" colour for their child.

I imagine it could make things slightly easier for the medical staff if the cards were pink/blue so they know immediately whether to refer to the baby as "he" or "she", but they should be checking the info anyway so I don't think that's too important.

gamerwidow · 27/12/2018 12:45

It’s better to do all one colour than to do some gendered but switch if you run out of a colour. No one is going to mind if they are all white but some people might be offended if you label their poorly boy as a girl and v.v. They might see it that your not that bothered about them and have thought ‘that’ll do’.

BikeRunSki · 27/12/2018 12:47

If sex is on the card, then no need for coloured cards.

TruckLoadOfSubtleGlitter · 27/12/2018 12:47

Mine never had a cot card.

But, when I have worked with babies who have, it makes life a lot easier when you need to know whether to refer to the baby as 'he' or 'she' when they have neutral clothing and a name which could be used for boy or girl.

CrazyOldBagLady · 27/12/2018 12:51

I'm don't think I would notice or care what colour a bit of card was. Is there a need for the staff to see the babies sex at a glance? If so, keep the pink and blue, otherwise order whatever is the cheapest

Sirzy · 27/12/2018 12:52

I can honestly say that I don’t remember what colour the card on ds cot was.

I am of the view of “I have much bigger things to worry about” at that point. But I think on the whole there are probably more people who want pink and blue than who would cause an issue over it (but the vast majority probably don’t care!)

LastOneDancing · 27/12/2018 12:53

Until this moment, I never even realised that DS cot card was blue because he's a boy Blush
This was obviously the last thing on my mind having just given birth.

Get the cheapest option!

tubspreciousthings · 27/12/2018 12:57

We had yellow cards 8 years ago. Then more recently in scbu we had green cards. No need for pink/blue IMO and only cause confusion, as a PP said, when you run out of one colour.

wombatsears · 27/12/2018 13:06

I really don't get this gender neutral crap. Usually purported by feminists

Just because you’re too dim to understand it doesn’t mean it’s not a relevant issue.

WildFlower2019 · 27/12/2018 13:06

I don't understand why you can't just order a box of yellow, white or cream cards that way it wouldn't matter.... if you run out of one particular colour you won't risk offending anybody on either side of the debate.

Thegirlhasnoname · 27/12/2018 13:07

My cot ‘card’ 10 weeks ago was a bright yellow post it note taped to the side of the cot so I personally don’t mind in the slightest. White seems the cheapest and more sensible option though, imo. Would assist with colour blind people reading it as well (DH struggled on the yellow!)

MiddlingMum · 27/12/2018 13:16

I think if I had a baby in scbu the colour of the card would be the last thing I'd worry about.

nuttyknitter · 27/12/2018 13:22

Please get something gender neutral. If parents want to perpetuate the ridiculous stereo typing pink/ blue thing they've got the whole of the children's childhoods to do that.