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Original poster

First hat after birth for baby

34 replies

Sunflower20001 · 17/11/2020 21:50

Probably was over thinking it, but hat for baby when they are first born, cotton or knitted?
I've got a knitted one for coming home, (Dec baby), just wonder if I need a cotton one for straight after birth?

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2Under22021 · 17/11/2020 21:52

Yeah you'll prob want a hat for when he's born, although the maternity wards are warm it'll be chilly for him compared to what he's use to.

Good luck! X

Rowley21 · 17/11/2020 21:54

The hospital had all knitted ones so I’d stick with that. They’ll have a hat ready for you at the hospital anyway if you’ve felt like you’ve made the wrong choice, or you could take one of each and ask the midwife there.

Good luck with the birth of your little baba! X

Pipandmum · 17/11/2020 21:56

We had a cotton one for our girl, but my son was born in a heatwave in august and didnt need one.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 17/11/2020 22:00

We were given one by the hospital, it was a knitted one, very sweet!

Mum2b2020 · 17/11/2020 22:03

Don't count on getting a hat from the hospital. Mine didn't in April. I kept on at them about a hat and they looked at me like I was crazy. No tea and toast either!

I was at Princess Royal in Orpington (PRUH)

Junobug · 17/11/2020 22:08

It's becoming less common to put hats on newborns indoors. Firstly, they just don't need them. It's a myth that you loose all of your heat out of your head and secondly, a lot of bonding goes on through the smell of your babies head.

FraterculaArctica · 17/11/2020 22:15

They may well whip a colour coded one on your baby in the delivery room to indicate whether he/she is compromised in any way.

strawbmilk · 17/11/2020 22:27

I had a c section last December and my husband was asked to bring a nappy and a hat for the baby into the theatre. Use something you don't mind getting a bit dirty for straight after the birth. I used a cheap cotton one

eddiemairswife · 17/11/2020 22:35

Had mine in the 60s, 2 in hospital, 2 at home. No hats. When did this become usual?

Original poster
Sunflower20001 · 17/11/2020 22:54

Eddiemairswife... Had in the 60s, why on a pregnancy forum? 🤔

Thanks for replies anyway, I'll get some cheap cotton ones then the midwife can help me decide if it's needed, and which one.

I know I had a hat for my DS just can't remember which, and if I did it right or not! I

OP posts:
OP posts:
Heartofglass12345 · 17/11/2020 23:00

This isn't something that even entered my head lol

Disappointedkoala · 17/11/2020 23:06

Mine didn't wear a hat in the hospital - it was boiling on the ward (winter baby). I've got a cotton one to come home in as they seem to fit better at that early stage.

Baggins83 · 17/11/2020 23:25

Our baby born in July was given a knitted hat straight away. As we were leaving I had a nice cotton one for her but they advised to wear her knitted one instead. They had a lovely cabinet full of them knitted by volunteers.

DappledThings · 18/11/2020 11:13

Eddiemairswife... Had in the 60s, why on a pregnancy forum? 🤔

How rude. Lots of things about pregnancy and birth haven't changed in generations you know. Older women have plenty of experience that can be helpful even if they haven't been pregnant for a long time and there's no reason they shouldn't be on any board that takes their interest. Don't be a dick.

GreyishDays · 18/11/2020 11:16

And threads pop up in ‘Active’, that’s how I use mumsnet, as many other people do. It doesn’t mean a user has been hanging around a certain board.

Original poster
Sunflower20001 · 18/11/2020 11:24

Obviously things have changed, as it's common for babies to have hats now the first few hours.
Simply asked which type was better.
Wasn't any helpful advice there.

OP posts:
DappledThings · 18/11/2020 11:30

@Sunflower20001

Obviously things have changed, as it's common for babies to have hats now the first few hours. Simply asked which type was better. Wasn't any helpful advice there.
Then you could have just ignored that post. No need for the twee confused face emoji and suggestion that a woman who had children in the 60s has no place being on an entire board. It was rude and unnecessary.

Incidentally I would being a couple of hats. The first one they put on may well get covered in blood and gunk and get chucked away. RAG Your Baby (red, amber, green) knitted hats made by volunteers are sometimes used to indicate if a baby is entirely well or not but generally you will be expected to provide your own.

Sauvignonblanket · 18/11/2020 11:46

I used cotton hats in hospital then was advised no hats indoors once you get home. Agree with pp, get a couple so the first can get messy.

Ajahd · 18/11/2020 11:49

Is it common for babies to have a hat straight away? I had my boy almost 8 weeks ago and it wasn't that common. The hospital was nice and toasty. Unless things have changed in that time.....

Congratulations, but I think you might be overthinking things. I knitted a couple of hats during pregnancy. He wears one if we're going out if the house. Othewise I think I'd spend half the day putting his hat back on him as he's so wriggly

Avvii · 18/11/2020 11:52

@Mum2b2020

Don't count on getting a hat from the hospital. Mine didn't in April. I kept on at them about a hat and they looked at me like I was crazy. No tea and toast either!

I was at Princess Royal in Orpington (PRUH)

I gave birth at the PRUH in January and they put a knitted hat on him within seconds of being born - and I see from the photos that the hat colour changed in the first couple of hours so they must have changed it, though I don’t remember. I also took a newborn cotton hat along but it didn’t fit (big baby) so I’m glad they provided them. Weird they changed this by April and even weirder they acted like they didn’t know what you were talking about!

Anyway, I’d recommend knitted as they have more stretch than cotton, just in case you end up with a baby with a massive head like I did.

FolkSongSweet · 18/11/2020 11:52

I had my baby last week and no one suggested that she wear a hat in hospital. I had a cotton one for her to come home in but she was only outside for the time it took to walk from door to taxi and taxi to our house so minutes.

eddiemairswife · 18/11/2020 11:56

I only came on a pregnancy forum because the title of the thread caught my eye. Perhaps there should be an age-limit for some topics!!

Crappyfridays7 · 18/11/2020 11:58

Babies lose a lot of heat from their heads and they should wear one after delivery to keep temp up. Our hospital have huge knitted hat supplies for this reason. They should also not be wrapped in towels following delivery as they have no tog value, rarely happens though. My baby got really cold following delivery as he was born really fast and in the ward, soon sorted but best preventing it if possible.

orangejuicer · 18/11/2020 11:59

I would pack 2 hats. First one after c section was a bit mucky so we used the second one. IMO newborns need them.

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