No hat needed.

Mama Kat
Aug 8, 2025
4 min read

Rethinking the new born hat, Why I suggest no hats at births.

If you close your eyes and picture a brand-new baby, what do you see? For many of us, the image that pops into our heads is a tiny, swaddled bundle with a sweet little striped beanie pulled snugly over their head. It’s an image we see everywhere – in hospital photos, on "welcome baby" cards, and all over social media.

But I want to let you in on a little secret. Here at Mama Magic Kat, my goal as a Cheshire-based doula from Northwich is to empower you with evidence-based information so you can make the best choices for you and your baby. And the truth is, for most healthy, full-term new born, that routine hat is not only unnecessary, it might actually get in the way of some beautiful, essential magic.

So, let’s uncover why you might want to ditch the beanie.

1. It Interferes with Skin-to-Skin Magic

The moments immediately following birth are what we call the "Golden Hour." or as I call it the magic time. Placing your baby directly on your bare chest, skin-to-skin, is one of the most powerful things you can do. Your body is incredible! It acts as a natural thermostat, warming or cooling your baby as needed to help them regulate their own temperature perfectly. It also regulates heart rates and sends off all the wonderful hormones, connecting you with your baby for the first time. Its a moment of being able to just be and take in what's happened.

A hat can interfere with this process. By trapping heat, it can make it harder for your baby’s body to sync up with yours, and can even lead to them becoming too warm. Letting them go bare-headed allows for natural, responsive thermoregulation, just as nature intended.

By keeping your baby hat-free and focusing on immediate, uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact, you are actively participating in your own safety it will support you to birth your placenta. You are allowing your body and baby to complete the final, brilliant step of their hormonal dance together.

2. That "New Baby Smell" is a Breastfeeding Superpower

Have you ever heard someone talk about that intoxicating "new baby smell"? It’s not just a lovely scent; it's a crucial part of the bonding and breastfeeding journey. The top of your baby’s head releases powerful pheromones. When you inhale that unique scent, your brain gets a major rush of oxytocin the "love and bonding hormone."

This oxytocin surge is a breastfeeding superstar:

It directly stimulates the hormones responsible for your breast milk production and, crucially, the "let-down" reflex that allows your milk to flow freely to your baby.
It deepens your feelings of love and protectiveness, helping you relax into your new role.
It helps keep your baby calm and relaxed, which is the perfect state for them to achieve a successful latch and enjoy a peaceful, effective feeding session.

Covering that precious head with a hat literally puts a barrier between you and this incredible biological communication system designed to make bonding and breastfeeding easier.

3. The Risk of Overheating

While we worry about babies getting cold, overheating is a more serious and subtle risk, especially when indoors. Newborn's aren't yet skilled at regulating their own temperature, and they can’t tell us if they’re too hot. The head is a primary place for babies to release excess heat.

Covering their head indoors with a hat can trap too much heat, potentially raising their body temperature to an unsafe level. Overheating is a known risk factor for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), so ensuring your baby can cool themselves effectively is a vital part of safe sleep and safe baby care.

For good evidenced based information about safety check out - https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/baby-safety/travel-and-weather/cold-weather/

So, When IS a Hat a Good Idea?

This isn't to say you should throw out all your adorable beanies! There are definitely times when a hat is appropriate and necessary.

For premature or low-birth-weight babies: These little ones have less body fat and can struggle to stay warm, so they may need extra help from a hat, as advised by your midwifery team.
For specific medical situations: If your baby has a health concern or had a difficult birth, your doctors and nurses may recommend a hat for a period of time. Always follow their guidance.
When you’re outdoors in the cold: This is the most obvious one! When you take your baby outside in cool or windy weather, a hat is an essential layer to protect them from the elements, just like a coat or a blanket.

The key distinction is between a hat for outdoor protection versus a hat for routine indoor wear.

Trust Your Instincts (and Your Body)

In those first precious days, remember this: you are your baby’s environment. Your warm chest, your loving arms, and your responsive care are the most powerful tools you have. By ditching the routine indoor hat, you are choosing to tune into your baby’s natural cues and foster a deeper connection that can directly support your feeding goals.