Knitting army helps to keep babies' temperature 'just right'

Generous knitters have donated hundreds of little red, green and yellow hats as part of a new initiative to keep babies warm in the first few days after birth.

The maternity team at Derby Teaching Hospitals has developed a new scheme to make sure all babies receive the right level of care after birth. As a part of the Newborn Thermal Care Safety Bundle each baby born at the Royal Derby Hospital is given a coloured hat when they are born that indicates to staff and parents which level of care is right for them. This plan helps to make parents and staff aware of the signs indicating changes in temperature, and helps them to take action.

All parents-to-be are given a Goldilocks poster by their community midwife when they go for their 36-week appointment, which offers advice on how to make sure that when their baby arrives they're not too cold, not too hot, but just right.

Knitted hats have been donated by trust volunteers, staff and even local youth groups. The 1st Oakwood Guide group also got involved, holding fundraising events so they could buy new hats.