When babies start finding their feet it’s so adorable! It can be frustrating, though as a parent or caregiver, to put a baby’s socks on and then thirty seconds later find them off again. In the summer months, this may not be a big deal and your baby can go barefoot. But what if it’s cold outside? How do you keep baby socks on?
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Make sure you also check out this article if you’re looking for the best baby shoes! For some fun things to do with baby, check out this article on the best things to do on maternity leave next!
Let’s take a look at the 9 best ways to keep baby socks on!
1) Footed Pants
Footed pants are an absolute sanity-saver for parents with young babies. I wish I had known about them sooner, I would have bought a lot more of them. These pants have socks built right in, which makes it impossible for babies to take off. Unless your baby is taking off their pants completely (which most babies can’t do) their feet should stay covered!
Kushies, Carters, and Gerber all make footed baby pants. You can find several great options online. Some of these footed pants options even have rubber grips on the bottom to prevent slips, which is great if your baby has started crawling, pulling up to stand, or even walking. These are a great alternative to socks that will keep your baby’s outfit in place (no more lost socks!).
2) Knee High Socks
Extra long socks that reach up to your baby’s knee might be another option for keeping baby socks on. In particular, if your baby is wearing long pants they will have a difficult time pulling off socks if they can’t dig their cute little fingers into the opening. Look for a nice breathable material like cotton socks to keep your baby’s toes comfortable.
These knee socks for babies pictured below have non slip grips for added safety. They also come in some seriously cute prints and fun designs!
3) Sock Ons
A product made specifically to help keep baby socks on is called ‘sock ons’. It offers light compression and sort of ‘locks’ the sock on your baby’s feet by putting pressure around their heel because it’s made from stretchy material. The best part is they work with any type of baby sock you already have.
If your baby has managed to take off long socks and short socks, these sock-ons might do the trick and keep socks where they’re supposed to be… on your baby’s feet!
4) Booties
Next on our list for your notorious sock-puller is baby booties! Your baby can’t get their socks off if there are booties strapped over top. This can be a great solution for cold weather, your baby can wear socks and booties indoors.
This type of product also works well in mild weather when you’re taking your baby out of the house on adventures. When you’re away from home it’s even more important to keep your baby’s socks on since you don’t want them getting lost.
A velcro strap is tighter around the ankle than a regular sock. It also takes more finger strength to remove than a regular sock.
5) Tuck Pant Legs Into Socks
This option might not look the most stylish, but for many babies it’s a good deterrent and will help keep baby socks on for longer. For this trick to work, get some baby socks that have a cuff at the top. Super short ankle socks for babies won’t do the trick. They need to be tall enough that your baby’s pants will tuck into the top of the sock.
6) Distraction
Most babies are easily distracted. If you can get their attention away from their socks, hopefully they will stop trying to take them off! Try to bring their attention to their hands, away from their feet with a toy like a teething mitten.
These teething mittens have a velcro wrist strap and a silicone top that is safe and interesting for your baby to explore with their mouth and fingers.
7) Baby Shoe-Socks
There is a hybrid shoe-sock on the market for babies and toddlers in the stages of early walking that might help keep your little one’s feet covered more successfully than a regular sock. These sock-shoes have a rubber sole and they are heavier and have a strong elastic top to help keep them in place on your baby’s foot. They are good for new walkers and young children.
8) Elastic Top Socks
Socks with elastic tops and socks designed specifically to be ‘wiggle proof’ are another good bet when it comes to keeping socks on little feet. Look for durable socks that have a great fit without digging in to your child’s feet.
These socks from Gerber are specifically designed to be ‘wiggle proof’ and many parents have had good success keeping little baby toes covered with their good design and high quality.
9) Sleep Sacks
Try a sleep sack if you’re trying to keep your baby’s feet warm at night! A sleep sack goes over top of your baby’s pajamas and it’s not possible for them to remove it from their feet. This can help regulate their body temperature, especially for newborn babies or babies in the first year during colder months.
If you’re looking specifically for a sleep sack that will keep your baby warm in an extra-cool nursery, check out this article on the best long sleeved sleep sacks for you to consider.
Final thoughts on baby socks
For new parents, trying to keep a pair of socks on baby feet can be quite a task! Little socks can really be hard to keep track of.
Whatever sock you’re buying for your babies’ feet, the best socks need to be the right size to get a good fit. Another good option is to carry a second set of socks in your diaper bag with the rest of your back-up baby clothes. Even though your baby might not be walking yet, in cold climates putting baby shoes on can help keep your infant’s feet warm. You might want to check out this article on the best baby shoes for more information.
At the end of the day, as long as your child is warm enough, and the floor is safe for their sensitive skin, naked feet aren’t a huge problem. In fact, bare feet can help your little bundle of joy sense the world around them and can be good for their development.
