A light pom-pom hat is a thin knit hat with a pom-pom on top, a soft ball of yarn or faux fur (fake fur). It keeps your baby's head warm on walks on chilly days, like any light knit hat.
Put it on when it feels like 8–11°C (46–52°F) outside. Babies under 3 months are not yet as good at keeping warm, so for them it goes on sooner, at 12–15°C (54–59°F). Colder than that, use a warm winter hat.
No baby needs a pom-pom: it is only there for looks. If you like one, check how it is fixed on and how it washes.
- For ages0–3years
- You'll need1–2light hats
- Wear it at8–15°C46–59°F
Sewn on or removable?
Sewn on
Stitched through the top of the hat, it stays on when your baby grabs it, so it is the one to choose while your baby still puts things in the mouth. It goes in the wash with the hat and takes a while to dry.
- Good: Stays on in little hands
- Good: Nothing to lose
- Not good: Slow to dry after a wash
Removable
A snap (a press stud) holds it, so you can take it off and wash the hat on its own. Faux fur pom-poms are often made this way. A hard pull can undo the snap too, so a removable pom-pom suits an older child who no longer puts things in the mouth.
- Good: Comes off for the wash
- Good: Moves to another hat
- Not good: Can come off in little hands
- Not good: Easy to lose
How to choose a pom-pom hat
Choose the hat itself as you would any light knit hat: by head size, not age, in soft rib knit (fine raised lines that stretch and spring back). Then check the pom-pom, in the shop or when the hat arrives.
1. Fixed on firmly
Babies pull at pom-poms, so pull it hard yourself first, the way your baby will. It should not move at its base.
- Good: Holds when pulled hard
- Good: No gap at its base
- Not good: Wobbles, or its thread shows
2. Packed tight
Squeeze it and run your fingers through it. A loose, airy pom-pom sheds strands, which your baby can pull out and swallow.
- Good: Firm and springy to squeeze
- Good: No strands or fluff on your fingers
- Not good: Loose, straggly strands
Questions parents ask
Are pom-pom hats safe for babies?
Yes, when the pom-pom is fixed on firmly. One that comes off can end up in your baby's mouth and cause choking, and baby hats have been recalled in the US and Canada because their pom-poms could come off.
How do I wash a pom-pom hat?
Go by the care label, and take a removable pom-pom off first. After every wash, pull a sewn-on pom-pom to check it still holds, because repeated washing can loosen it.
Can my baby sleep in a pom-pom hat?
No. Keep your baby's head bare for sleep in a crib or bed, and whenever you are indoors. Babies cool down through the head, so a hat inside can make them too hot.
Can my baby wear a pom-pom hat in the car seat?
No. Take it off when you get in the car, even if it wakes your baby. A pom-pom is one more reason, because it presses on the seat and can tip your baby's head forward, and a baby's head should not flop forward in a car seat.
Can a pom-pom hat go under a hood?
Not well. The pom-pom pushes the hood up, so the hood sits loose and slides back. If your baby will wear a hood up, a hat without a pom-pom fits under it better.
