CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

7 Best Newborn Hats to Top Off Baby’s Outfit

Keep your little one covered with these cute baby beanies and caps.
save article
profile picture of Christin Perry
Updated July 26, 2023
best-baby-hats-HERO
Image: Natalia Lebedinskaia | Shutterstock
We have included third party products to help you navigate and enjoy life’s biggest moments. Purchases made through links on this page may earn us a commission.

Newborn hats (like the ones baby will wear at the hospital) have been a staple of an infant’s wardrobe for many decades now. They make perfect additions to baby’s coming-home outfit and overall early wardrobe. And if nothing else, they sure make for sweet photo-ops! Below, check out safety guidance on when (and when not) to keep your little one’s noggin covered, and then shop the best newborn baby hats we’ve seen.

Do Newborns Need to Wear Hats?

In recent years, the guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (supported by the CDC) has shifted away from the indoor use of newborn hats, except in the NICU or the first few hours of life. The AAP says that the risk of overheating outweighs the benefits of heat loss prevention that was once considered the primary reason to keep hats on newborns.

Of course, there’s still a place for those adorable infant hats. If you’ll have baby outside in chilly weather, a hat is a great way to keep them warm. But it’s no longer recommended to keep a hat on newborn babies when they’re inside.

Best Newborn Hats

If you’re interested in using a newborn hat for time spent outside or for adding a touch of cuteness to your little one’s outfit, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ve rounded up some of the best newborn hats you can buy (or give as a gift!).

Overall best newborn hat

Kyte Baby Beanie Set for Newborns
Image: Amazon
What We Love
  • Super soft material that provides a comfortable but snug fit
  • Available in a variety of colors and sizes
  • Great for photo opps
Things To Consider
  • Thin material isn’t well suited for coldest climates

These knotted infant beanies from parent-favorite Kyte cover all the bases; they come in a variety of modern colors to match any layette set, or to coordinate with the brand’s beloved swaddle blankets. They're also made from ultra soft, hypoallergenic OEKO-TEX standard 100 fabric, and come in a range of sizes from preemie all the way up to 12 months old.

Sizing: Preemie to 6-12 months | Material: 97% bamboo rayon/3% spandex | Cleaning instructions: Machine washable

Buy Now

Best newborn beanie

Copper Pearl Chip Top Knot Hat
Image: Copper Pearl
What We Love
  • Knot is adjustable to fit a variety of head sizes
  • Beautiful colors and patterns that coordinate with the brand’s swaddle blankets
Things To Consider
  • These newborn beanie hats are pricey compared to other brands

These beanies from Copper Pearl will keep baby's head covered in style. They come in a whole range of trendy prints (but we particularly love the swoon-worthy milk and cookies design). They’re also soft, breathable and just stretchy enough to keep baby comfortable. You can even bundle them in an adorable gift set suitable for baby showers!

Sizing: 0-4 months to 5-18 months | Material: 69% polyester/28% rayon/3% spandex | Cleaning instructions: Machine washable

Buy Now

Best crochet newborn hat

BusterBrowns Crochet Baby Bear Hat
Image: Etsy
Buying Options
Etsy|From $13.00
What We Love
  • Adorable for photo opps
  • Neutral colors match just about any outerwear
Things To Consider
  • Hat can stretch out over time
  • Not machine washable

Perfect for photos, outdoor use during shoulder seasons or just plain stinkin’ cuteness, this crochet baby bear hat from Etsy is a must have. Available in four different neutral tones and featuring a sweet little bear nose and ears, this infant hat makes a great gift, too.

Sizing: 0-3 months to 3-5 years | Material: Acrylic | Cleaning instructions: Hand wash cold, lay flat to dry

Buy Now

Best personalized newborn hat

Baby Squishy Cheeks Personalized Infant Baby Hat with Name
Image: Etsy
Buying Options
Etsy|From $9
What We Love
  • Makes a great gift
  • Bold personalization is easy to see
Things To Consider
  • Can only personalize up to 12 characters

There’s something extra-special about personalized newborn hats, especially when they serve as newborn hospital hats perfect for those first family photos. These baby beanies come customized with your infant’s name and are available in three chic colors: black, gray and white, or choose a three-pack to ensure baby’s head stays warm, even on laundry day.

Sizing: Preemie to 6-12 months | Material: 97% bamboo rayon/3% spandex | Cleaning instructions: n/a

Buy Now

Best organic newborn hat

Colored Organics Baby Beanie Hats
Image: Colored Organics
Buying Options
Colored Organics|$10
What We Love
  • Available in tons of beautiful colors
  • Sustainably sourced using eco-conscious materials and dyes
  • Knot is adjustable
Things To Consider
  • This brand does not offer any patterned hats; solid colors only

Newborn skin is sensitive, which is why we love these organic, hypoallergenic and super-smooth baby beanies from Colored Organics. Made from 100% organic cotton and sustainably and ethically produced with water-based dyes, these newborn hats are sold in a myriad of colors from versatile neutrals to bright solid colors, so there’s truly a set for everyone.

Sizing: Newborn to M/L | Material: 100% organic cotton | Cleaning instructions: Machine washable

Buy Now

Best preemie hat

Perfectly Preemie 3 Pack Caps
Image: Amazon
What We Love
  • Three-pack assortment at an affordable price
Things To Consider
  • Prints change on availability, and may not match preview image

While the guidance on hats for newborns has changed in recent years, experts still agree that premature babies lose body heat quickly, and need assistance regulating body temperature. Enter these adorable preemie-sized hats from Perfectly Preemie. Made from 100% cotton, this three-pack assortment can fold up or down to accommodate your child as they grow.

Sizing: Teeny (2-4 lbs.) to Preemie (3-6 lbs.) | Material: 100% cotton | Cleaning instructions: Machine wash

Buy Now

Best budget-friendly newborn hat

Just One You by Carter’s Baby Hats
Image: Target
Buying Options
Target |$9.00
What We Love
  • Three pack ensures baby has a hat, even on laundry days
  • Hats feature a roll cuff for added stability
  • Three cute, coordinated designs/patterns/colors
Things To Consider
  • These newborn hats run large and may not be suitable for smaller infants

Those wildly popular knotted baby beanies aren’t the only newborn hats for boys and girls. These knit cap-style newborn baby hats have the dreamiest patterns and come in a set of three for less than $10. You really can’t beat that when it comes to keeping baby’s little head covered.

Sizing: One size | Material: 60% cotton/40% polyester | Cleaning instructions: Machine washable

Buy Now

How We Chose the Best Newborn Hats

To help you find the best newborn hats on the market today, we browsed lots of different options from some of our most trusted retailers. When choosing our favorite newborn beanies and hats, we considered features like material, wearability, available size ranges and of course, safety, always following the guidance of the CDC and AAP. For each one, we read user reviews to find out how the infant hats perform in the real world, and we only sourced newborn hats from trusted retailers. We didn’t consider any with less than an average four-star rating.

Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.

Sources

Health Children (AAP), How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained, July 2022

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Helping Babies Sleep Safely, July 2022

Pediatrics, Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2022 Recommendations for Reducing Infant Deaths in the Sleep Environment, June 2022

Mayo Clinic, Premature Birth, February 2023

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List