Oh, the hat struggle! If you're a new parent like I was, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Getting my little one to keep a hat on, whether it was a sun hat in the summer or a warm beanie in the winter, felt like a constant battle. I tried everything, and it felt like nothing worked. But after a lot of trial and error, I finally figured out some tricks that made a huge difference. Let me share my journey and the strategies I discovered.
Initially, I thought it would be easy. I’d just pop a cute hat on my baby, and we’d be good to go. Wrong! It quickly became apparent that my baby had other plans. Whether it was a sun hat with ties or a cozy winter hat, it was off in seconds. It was almost like a game to him, and he was winning every time. I was worried about sun exposure in the summer and keeping him warm in the winter, so I knew I had to find a solution. This is when my quest to conquer the hat rebellion began.
After lots of experimenting, I found a few things that worked, and I want to share them with you. These are based on my personal experiences and observations, and I hope they help you too!
I discovered that the best way to get my baby to keep a hat on was to distract him with something else. If he was busy playing with a toy or engaged in an activity, I could often slip a hat on his head without him even noticing. It’s like a magic trick! The key is to find something that really captures their attention. For me, it was a set of colorful stacking cups. While he was focused on those, the hat had a chance to stay put.
For sun hats, I found that adjustable straps were a lifesaver. I invested in a sun hat that had straps that could be tightened around his head and under his chin. This made it much harder for him to pull it off. He still tried, of course, but the secure fit gave me a fighting chance. It was amazing how much longer the hat stayed on when it was properly secured.
This one was a game-changer. I turned wearing hats into a fun game. I’d say, "Hat on!" and put the hat on his head. Then, I’d say, "Hat off!" and let him take it off. We’d repeat this over and over, with lots of giggles and silly faces. I also started putting hats on stuffed animals, the dog, and even myself. The more hats, the better! I made sure hats were always accessible so he could put one on himself if he wanted. This helped him associate hats with fun and play, rather than something to resist.
I noticed that my baby was more likely to wear a hat if he saw me wearing one too. So, I started wearing hats around the house, even when we weren’t going outside. I’d wear a baseball cap, a beanie, or even a silly hat just for fun. This seemed to pique his interest, and he became more open to wearing hats himself. I even found some stylish and comfortable options from Wholecustomdesign. They have a great selection, including the Autumn Women's Zipper Beanie Hats, which I sometimes wear.
This strategy also helped him understand that wearing a hat was a normal and acceptable thing to do.
Speaking of beanies, I found that different styles of hats also made a difference. My baby seemed to prefer caps over sun hats, so I stocked up on those. I also had a variety of bucket hats, beanies, and other styles to see which ones he liked best. It's all about finding the right fit and style that your baby is comfortable with. Sometimes, it's just a matter of trial and error.
My little one is very praise-driven, so I made sure to shower him with praise and encouragement whenever he wore a hat. I’d clap, cheer, and say things like, "Good job wearing your hat!" This positive reinforcement helped him associate wearing a hat with positive attention, making him more likely to keep it on. Even a small amount of praise can go a long way in encouraging good behavior.
Choosing the right hat is crucial for success. A hat that is uncomfortable, itchy, or too tight is unlikely to stay on for long. Look for hats made from soft, breathable materials that won’t irritate your baby’s skin. Adjustable straps and a good fit are also essential. I especially like the ribbed double-layer slouchy beanies from Wholecustomdesign. They are incredibly soft and comfortable, and my baby actually enjoys wearing them. The homepage has a great variety of baby hats for all seasons. I found that investing in quality hats made a big difference in my baby’s willingness to wear them.