If they lose heat too quickly after being born, they can become quite unwell.
Some units run a traffic light system Red, Amber, and green hats are used as a visual aid.
The midwives can then easily identify immediately babies that are in need of little more help and attention in the first few hours.
I like to keep a box ongoing, and when there is an urgent request. I have a few ready to go.
That I can wrap up and send to the labor suite of the hospital when they are needing them.
What size Do baby hats need to be for the hospitals?
As a guide, the average newborn head circumference is between 13- 15 inches!
But recommended hat circumference is 12 inches around.
For this hat, we will crochet in Rows until our HAT measures 12 inches across.
You will add on extra chains at the beginning of the hat depending on how wide you wish the turn up to be!
I prefer quite a deep turnup for this baby hat.
What makes THIS one of the best newborn baby hat patterns and why it is so great for donating to hospitals for several reasons.
- The BRIM is folded upwards to sit just above the baby's eyebrows.
With many 'beanie type' hats we are kinda judging the length required as not every baby comes out the same, so crocheting a baby hat with a fold-up brim is great.
- The bottom Edging of the hat is lovely and elastic, meaning it can adjust to fit a few sizes.
And finally,
- The Crochet stitches used to make this baby hat is slip stitches into the Back Loops, Single Crochet Crocheting into The Back loop making a ribbed stretchy baby hat.
This is one of the most asked-for crochet baby hats.
I get asked to make and also sell really well as part of newborn hats and booties crochet sets I make.
See the Full FREE crochet Pattern HERE - How to crochet a Baby HAT by LisaAuch Crochet
Here is the simple Baby Hat Crochet Pattern that you can donate to hospitals.50g of Baby Double Knit (see Best Deals Right now on YARN @Amazon.com)
Baby hat size NEWBORN - use a 3.50mm (or if you are a tight crocheter please check Measurements and adjust the hook if required)
Hat length
Baby hat Size for Bigger Newborn up to 3 months use a hook up to a 4.00mm or 4.500mm hook ( please check Measurements and adjust the hook if required)
Hat length Beginning Chain should be at LEAST 6.75+ inches PLUS the size of turnup you desire you want the Turnup to remember to accommodate this to the chain at the start.
If you want a the LARGE Turnup remember to ADD these extra chains to the chain at the start.
Ch - Chain
BABY HAT CROCHET PATTERN
Ch 36, or until your Chain reaches desired Length = Height of hat + turnover = TOTAL Chains required to start)Row 1: Start by sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in 30 ch, slip stitch into next 5 ch, Ch 1, and turn.
Row 2: Slip Stitch in the Back Loop of the first 5 sts, ScBackloop into the remaining 30 sts. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 3: ScBackloop into the next 30 sts, slip into BLoops of the last 5 remaining stitches
Rows 4 to Rows 44: Repeat Row 2 and Row 3
End off after the last st on Row 44 OR continue until your work measures the recommended length = This measurement is also equal to the circumference of HAT you require.
Leave a long tail to sew seams together
Your hat should look like this

Fold the Hat in Half. Short Seam to Short seam and make a tube

Here is Another Super EASY crochet baby hat pattern that is ideal to donate to hospitals and charity.
Or To crochet for a Baby as a coming-home gift.
As you can see in this image of a newborn baby coming home. I made Small yarn pom-poms.
Adorably cute!.
The hat can be made any size and is nice and stretchy.
FREE crochet Baby Hat Tutorial with Pictures and instructions. Using the Half Double Crochet Stitch
Or if you prefer a Lovely simple crochet Newborn Beanie hat Pattern you can visit my Popular
FREE newborn crochet Hat Pattern HERE