How to Keep a Baby Sun Hat On: Drawstring Tips That Work
By Newbie | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: Guides pratiques
A step-by-step routine for keeping a baby or toddler sun hat on: check the fit, use the drawstring or ties correctly, and know when to size up.
Quick answer
Start with the right size, then use the hat's own fastening: on a Newbie baby and kids linen sun hat with drawstring, the tie cords are included in every size except 52/54, so smaller heads get a chin fastening and larger ones rely on fit alone. Tie cords under the chin with a soft, flat knot that leaves a finger's width of slack, and recheck the fit each time you put the hat on. If the hat still slides off, the size is wrong, not the knot.
Why sun hats slide off in the first place
A sun hat falls off for three predictable reasons: the crown is too deep for the head, the brim catches wind or a car seat edge, or there is no fastening under the chin. Babies also have a smooth, rounded head shape and little neck strength, so a hat that sits loosely will tip as soon as they look down or turn.
That is why the fastening matters more than the fabric. A baby hat drawstring or pair of tie cords holds the crown in place so the brim stays level over the face and neck. Without one, you are relying on gravity and luck.
Match the fastening to the size you buy
Newbie's baby and kids linen sun hat with drawstring includes tie cords in all sizes except 52/54. The white floral sun hat with bow follows the same logic: sizes 44/46–52/52 have ties, while 52/54 does not. That is not a defect. At the largest size, the hat is designed for a child who can keep it on without a chin fastening, and cords become a snag risk rather than a help.
So before you buy, check the size chart against your child's head circumference. If you are between sizes and your child still pulls hats off, choose the smaller size with ties rather than the larger size without them.
Adjust the hat before you tie anything
Put the hat on with the brim level, not tilted back. The back elastic on the white floral sun hat is there to improve fit, so let it do its job: seat the crown low enough that the brim shades the forehead without covering the eyes. Only then tighten the cords. If you tie first and adjust later, you will pull the hat crooked and your child will notice within seconds.
A common mistake here is pulling the crown down too far at the back to stop it lifting. That pushes the brim into the eyebrows and makes the hat feel tight, which is exactly when a toddler starts tugging.
Tie a knot your child cannot undo but can survive
Use a flat bow or a single soft knot under the chin, not a tight double knot at the throat. You want the cords to keep the hat on, not to press on the neck. Leave about a finger's width of space between the cord and the skin so the hat can move slightly without choking or chafing.
Check the knot every time you go outside. Cords loosen as children move, and a loose cord is the same as no cord. If your child is old enough to pull at the cords, tuck the ends inside the hat or under a collar so they are less interesting to grab.
A five-step routine for a hat that stays put
- Measure the head, then pick the size: Run a soft tape around the widest part of the head, just above the ears and eyebrows. Compare it to the size chart and choose the size that matches, not the size your child will grow into. Checkpoint: if the measurement sits between two sizes and your child pulls hats off, choose the smaller size with ties.
- Seat the hat level before fastening: Place the hat so the brim is even all the way around and the crown sits low enough to stay on without pulling. Let any back elastic settle naturally rather than stretching it over the head. Common mistake: tilting the hat back to see your child's eyes, which makes the brim useless and the hat easier to knock off.
- Tie the cords under the chin with slack: Bring the cords under the chin and tie a flat bow or single soft knot. Leave a finger's width of space so the cord sits against the jaw rather than pressing the throat. Checkpoint: the hat should move a little when your child turns their head, but not lift off.
- Recheck after five minutes of movement: Cords loosen once a child starts crawling, cruising, or riding in a stroller. After the first few minutes outside, retie if the cord has slipped or the brim has tipped. Common mistake: assuming the first knot will last the whole outing.
- Size up only when the fastening stops helping: Move to the next size when the hat leaves red marks on the forehead or the crown rides up even with the cords tied. At that point, choose a size that fits without relying on the ties. Next step: if you are moving into 52/54, expect no tie cords and check the fit in person before you rely on it outdoors.
Product facts that affect fit
- Baby & kids linen sun hat with drawstring: Bucket sun hat made from 100% linen with an organic cotton lining, for babies and kids; tie cords are included in all sizes except 52/54. Smaller sizes give you a chin fastening to work with, so check the size chart before ordering the largest size.
- Baby & Kids white floral sun hat with bow: Floral sun hat in 100% organic cotton with a lace bow at the back and elastic at the back for an improved fit; sizes 44/46–52/52 have ties, size 52/54 does not. The back elastic helps the crown sit closer to the head, which reduces how often you need to retie the cords.
