The Royal United Hospital has put out a call to local residents, asking for help to provide around 5,000 tiny bobble hats for newborn babies at the Bath Birthing Centre.
The hospital is introducing a traffic light, colour-coded system of green, amber and red bobble hats to provide a visual aid for the level of care that a baby may need.
Rachel Coleman, Practice Development Sister, said: “Babies will still receive the traditional midwifery care, but this is an extra visual aid.
“A green bobble means your baby is term, warm and feeding well. Amber indicates a baby needs a little more help with feeding and keeping warm.
“Red indicates a baby will have regular observations by a nurse or midwife, for example if you are diabetic.”
Sarah Godwin, Practice Development Sister at the RUH’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) said: “The ultimate aim is to reduce admissions from the Birthing Centre to NICU.
“We want to avoid separation of mums and babies, which can greatly enhance their ability to bond and to breast feed.”
Alexander McNamara, father of two-day old Merry, said: “It’s a brilliant idea. Merry had a red bobble hat as she needed more observation on the ward. And it means that, even if you don’t know anyone with a baby on the way, you can still make a lovely hat that will be worn by a baby and be greatly appreciated by everyone.”
The bobble hat idea was ‘borrowed’ from a system already underway at the Royal Surrey County Hospital.
With up to 5,000 babies being delivered each year at the Bath Birthing Centre – and going home with their personal hat – the unit is hoping that volunteer knitters and people with crotchet skills will rise to the challenge.
The tiny hats must be plain white with a red, amber or green pom-pom, and sized between 34-38cms. They can be sent to the Bath Birthing Centre or to Mary Ward at the Bath RUH.
Advice from the NHS on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is that when indoors or in a warm car, bus or train, you should remove a hat or extra clothing from your baby to prevent it becoming overheated.
