You probably know the drill – put socks on your baby that are just slightly too big, and before you know it, she has kicked them right off.
Another obstacle can arise when your baby learns a very fun and exciting trick – how to pull her own socks off. Before you know it, any time you put socks on her feet, she is pulling them off (and maybe even putting them in her mouth)!
In this article, we will share some of the best tips to keep baby’s socks on and keep her feet warm and toasty.
Top Tips to Help Keep Socks on a Baby
1. Choose Socks With Ankle Grippers
We recommend socks made for babies are designed with special grippers that hold tight to baby’s ankles. These ingenious socks can’t be pulled off, no matter how hard your little one tries.
Squid Socks, as seen on the popular show, Shark Tank, feature little silicone dot “grippers” around the ankles. When Baby tugs at the toes of her socks, these Squid Socks hold fast. They are perfect for active babies and will stay on all day!
2. Try Knee Socks
Seeing a tiny baby in knee socks is just as adorable as it sounds! There are many fashionable options for knee socks out there that will cover a baby’s ankles and calves. This way, her feet can stay warm and toasty without the risk of her kicking her socks off. Plus, they look great!
Knee socks can be worn with a simple onesie on warmer days, and can fit over baby’s pants in cold weather.
Here are a few of our favorite baby knee socks:
Hudson Baby Cotton Rich Knee-high Socks
Hudson Baby products are a favorite of Moms everywhere. They are high quality while still being affordable enough to fit into a budget. These Hudson Baby Cotton Rich Knee-high Socks are made of a stretchable, breathable cotton blend that is soft and cozy enough to wear all day. The adorable patterns and animal designs are just the icing on the cake.
RuffleButts Girls 3-Pack Knee High Socks with Ruffles
If you’re looking for a little more of a fashionable choice for your baby’s knee socks, check out these sweet RuffleButts Girls Knee High Socks. In beautiful, muted colors, these socks feature an adorable ruffle at the top. Besides being functional and staying put, these socks just look fabulous.
LA Active Knee High Grip Socks
If you prefer a gender-neutral, understated option for knee socks, these LA Active Knee High Grip Socks are a perfect choice. In plain white so they go with everything, these cotton blend socks even feature grips on the bottom. This makes them a good option for babies who are beginning to stand and cruise the furniture.
3. Select Socks That Stretch
The best-fitting baby and children’s socks tend to be made from cotton blends, such as cotton, nylon, and spandex. These stretchy socks expand to fit babies’ feet but are snug enough that they can’t be kicked off. They will even stay put on crawling, active babies.
Stretchy socks also present another option for keeping them on baby’s feet – tucking pants inside. Keeping the bottoms of baby’s pant legs tucked into her socks is an age-old Mom trick for keeping stubborn socks on babies.
No matter how you use them, stretchy socks are a great option for wiggly baby feet.
For the best in stretchable socks for your little one, here are our recommendations:
Fruit of the Loom Baby – Grow & Fit Flex Zones Cotton Stretch Socks
These Fruit of the Loom Baby – Grow & Fit Flex Zones Cotton Stretch Socks are a great, basic selection for boys and girls. They are unisex and come in a variety of colors. But most importantly, they give and stretch to fit any baby’s foot. This multipack is a great purchase to keep your baby’s feet warm every day of the week.
Touched by Nature Baby Organic Cotton Socks
The Touched by Nature Baby Organic Cotton Socks is another practical selection for stretchy stocks that will stay on your baby’s feet. Soft 100% organic cotton is perfect for sensitive skin, and they stay put without being too tight or uncomfortable. Help your baby’s toes stay warm and protected with these cozy socks.
Gerber Baby Organic Wiggle-proof Socks
Made with wiggly baby feet in mind, the Gerber Baby Organic Wiggle-Proof Socks are guaranteed to stay put. These soft organic cotton socks are made with Gerber’s special “stay on technology” so they stay on even the wiggliest babies. They fit tight on the feet while still allowing room for the toes to move and stretch. These are a great, basic choice in stay-put baby socks.
Why Do Babies Need to Wear Socks?
You may be wondering, “if it is so hard to keep socks on a baby’s feet, why do babies even need to wear socks?” This is a great question. Socks are actually quite important, especially for younger babies, who need to wear appropriate clothing to help regulate their body temperature.
Babies who are not yet rolling and crawling do not generate heat by moving around. Keeping socks on their feet helps keep them warm and comfortable. Even more mobile babies can benefit from wearing socks, too. Protect crawling and walking babies’ feet from cold floors with the right pair of socks.
Are Socks Safe for Babies?
Wearing socks is very safe and even beneficial for babies, for the reasons listed above. There is, however, one thing to keep in mind when selecting socks for your baby’s feet – make sure they are not too tight.
Socks that are too tight for a baby’s feet can lead to a condition known as Sock-line Hyperpigmentation. Sock-line Hyperpigmentation refers to a red or dark line that can form on the skin of babies around their ankles or calves, wherever the line of their sock rests. This condition is not thought to be harmful but can look concerning to parents. To avoid Sock-line Hyperpigmentation, it is important that parents select socks that fit appropriately.
This condition can also be avoided by giving your baby’s feet some room to breathe throughout the day by removing their socks. At night, for example, you may choose to select pajamas that have sewn-in feet, thus eliminating the need for socks. On warmer days, let your baby go barefoot. They will enjoy wiggling their toes and feeling the warm air on their feet.
Can Babies Wear Socks While Learning to Walk?
For babies who are standing or beginning to cruise furniture or those who are already walking, it is important to select socks with grippers on the bottom. These rubber grips protect babies from slipping and falling on hard floors.
It is generally recommended to let babies go barefoot as they are learning to walk in order to help them get used to the feeling. However, this is not always possible in winter, especially in cold climates. Gripper socks are a great alternative.
Check out a few of our favorite grippy socks for your active babies:
CozyWay Non Slip Toddler Socks
These CozyWay Non Slip Toddler Socks provide protection for your baby as she learns to crawl, cruise, and walk around the house. The rubber grips are specially designed to help Baby learn to move around safely, and they also come in a variety of fun colors. These cute socks are practical for older babies and young toddlers, and give Mom and Dad some peace of mind.
Jefferies Socks Baby Non-skid Turn Cuff Casual Sock
The Jefferies Socks Baby Boys’ Non-skid Turn Cuff Casual Socks are stylish while also being useful. The big, round, rubber grips on the bottom hold tight to the floor, helping your little one move around without sliding or skidding. The ankle cuffs also help them hold tight on your little one’s foot. Use the helpful sizing chart to find just the right size for your little mover and shaker.
Final Word
Is there anything cuter than teeny tiny baby feet? What could be more adorable than watching baby lie on her back, kicking her feet in the air as she smiles and coos at Mommy and Daddy. You probably love tickling her little toes and playing “This Little Piggy”. But how do you keep socks on those little piggy feet?
From tiny newborns barely wiggling in their bassinets to toddlers who are beginning to walk, socks keep babies’ feet warm and provide important protections. But, as all parents are aware, unless baby’s socks are just the right size, they have a tendency not to stay put.
While we know keeping them on your baby’s feet can be a challenge, we hope this article has provided some useful recommendations.
Keep baby’s feet warm, safe, and protected by following our tips!
