Buying socks for someone who will outgrow them before they even take their first step can seem crazy. But baby socks can do more than just pull an outfit together with unlimited cuteness. New parents always have their plates full, and it’s easy to overlook the importance of socks… or at least, it was. Until now.

When you bring home your brand-new baby, there are few things as fun and rewarding as dressing them in all the adorable clothes you have collected for them before they were born. Tiny jumpers, cosy sleepers, matching mittens, and, of course, socks! 

There are so many varieties of clothes for babies that it can be hard to tell which are necessary vs novelty. That’s where this post comes in.

Socks will certainly keep your little bundle of joy’s toes nice and warm, but are they really a must-have? And are all baby socks created equal? Read on to find out.

Why Do Babies Need Socks?

The most important reason for your baby to wear socks is to keep their feet and toes from becoming cold.

Babies have poor circulation at first, and their feet are often colder than ours. That means if you’re feeling cold, your baby is likely colder.

But, just like with adults, babies don’t need to wear socks all the time. It can be invigorating to take your socks off after a long day, wiggle those toes in some fresh air! Sometimes, though, you’ll want to be sure your baby's feet are properly covered before leaving the house, especially on a chilly day.

Even on a brisk spring day when adults would be fine in a pair of sandals, babies will need socks. This is because they don’t move around nearly as much as adults, so their feet can get cold much faster.

According to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, newborn bodies aren’t the best at regulating body temperature. So, a pair of soft, insulating socks can help keep all of your newborn cosy, not just their feet. 

Necessity or Novelty?

Do babies need socks and shoes? Yes and no. We’ve already covered the benefits of socks for your wee nippers. Meanwhile, soft, non-constricting shoes are fine for babies, but they don’t need a proper pair of shoes until they begin to walk.

Shoes aren’t nearly as important for your little ones as socks, because socks provide plenty of warmth and protection since babies aren’t walking. With infants, shoes are more of a fashion choice than a must-have. 

For babies taking their first steps, we recommend these Catspads Cotton socks, with their non-slip soles to give that extra grip and encouragement they need.

What to Look for in Baby Socks? 

Since babies aren’t up and hiking trails and climbing mountains like some adults, their socks don’t need all the same fancy features. But that still leaves the question - what do we need to look for in a quality baby sock?

1. Material
2. Fit correctly
3. Quality sock construction

Material

The number of different materials that socks for your kids can be made of is staggering. Still, there are certainly some materials that are heads (and toes!) above the rest.

The number one fabric for all types of baby clothes, socks included, is cotton. Cotton is all-natural, moisture-wicking, breathable, and touchably soft and gentle for a baby’s skin.

The yarn count, extra-long-staple and organic cotton are other factors to consider. Cotton will be blended with other materials to help with the fit. Ensure quality Elastane, Spandex, Lycra is used. Usually only a low percentage otherwise the socks will quickly become loose and fall off. Quality wool such as Merino can also be blended with cotton for lovely soft warm breathable baby socks.

Socks made of brushed cotton are particularly soft and cosy!

The Perfect Fit

Babies are constantly growing at a rapid rate. As such, it’s crucial that any sort of clothing that your child wears on a regular basis must fit correctly. Most importantly, baby socks should never be too tight.

To build their muscle strength, your little bundle of joy will wiggle and move all day every day, and this includes their toes! So many parents find themselves begging for an answer to the question of how to keep baby socks on; take it from any frustrated mamma or papa bear out there – you want to get this right!

Socks that are too tight can restrict this movement, making it more difficult for your little munchkin’s feet to become strong.

If socks are too tight around the ankles, this can even impede blood flow to your baby’s toes, which can be dangerous.

Socks that are too loose around the ankle will roll down and eventually come off. On the flip side, socks that are too big will come right off when your bairn rubs their feet against anything.

Always make sure your baby’s feet have plenty of room to move in their socks!

Quality Sock Construction

Just like with any baby apparel, make sure that your baby’s socks are well crafted and made from high-quality materials. Cheaply made baby socks can have loose threads, and these threads can have very unfortunate consequences.

Seamless socks made from one piece of material rarely have any loose threads, making them the best choice for baby socks.

The toe seams and the sock closure (cuff) type and material are also crucial considerations.

• Cuffs that are too tight or poorly constructed can leave marks or become loose faster.
• Quality toe seams will be virtually undetectable with hand-linked flat seams; these are more costly but much more comfortable without the bulky toe seams that can be irritating and uncomfortable for babies.

A well-fitting sock cuff made of knitted elastane will help prevent socks from sliding off during an energetic kicking and wiggling session. This is easy to overlook, however, as baby socks don't need elastane to fit well.

Socks like Falke's Sensitive Babies Socks are specially designed to be gentle for babies by not compressing the skin around the top band of the sock

Do Babies Need to Wear Socks at Night?

Maybe. It all depends on the weather outside and the temperature of your child’s bedroom.

We know that newborns and young babies shouldn’t ever sleep with blankets, but what about socks? Wearing socks to bed is fine for babies, but it’s likely they will kick them off during the night, and they aren’t always necessary.

If your feet are cold in your home during the night, go ahead and bundle your baby's little tootsies up. But if you sleep without socks, your little one can too. 

Easy As ABC (In Conclusion)...

Socks are a must-have for any baby, especially the ones at risk of cold feet. Baby socks will help your infant regulate their body temperature and keep their feet and toes warm during chilly outdoor expeditions.

Choose the right fabric for your baby’s socks and make sure they fit correctly. Beyond that, you can pick out whatever precious style you want, or even a pair to match every outfit!

At the end of the day, it’s not rocket science, just good old common sense.