Stepping Hill Hospital’s maternity team have thanked local people for donating knitted red hats to help keep new born babies safe.

The red hats are part of a scheme used to alert staff and parents of babies at risk of a low temperature. Babies in this group can include those who have had infections, or who have mums with diabetes.

The hat identifies the baby in need of extra attention, and helps to keep them warm, as babies with low blood sugar levels can also suffer from low temperature as well.

The maternity team made an appeal for local people to donate the hats, and were overwhelmed by the response. Over 1000 hats have been received, made by both individuals and organised knitting groups.

One of the latest families to benefit is Cody Vaux, 23, from Adswood, and her new baby twin daughters Orla and Aria Reid. Cody said, “I think it’s a great idea to help keep Orla and Aria safe. They look really cute in them too!”

Janet Cotton, Head of Midwifery at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Stepping Hill Hospital, said, “We’re so grateful to everyone who took the time and effort to knit and send in their hats. The hats perform a really important role in helping to protect newborn babies and keep them safe.”