Let your baby go barefoot!

Babies learn by touching and feeling things. Instinctively, they grab everything they can get their hands on and put it in their mouth. This is a natural exploration every baby goes through. Of course their feet are part of this exploration.

As your baby becomes more mobile she'll start pushing herself off the ground with her feet. She needs to learn to co-ordinate her muscle groups and balance before she starts crawling. Often, babies start moving around by making swimming-like movements. Some babies start off by crawling backwards or crawl like a bear without using their knees. Others others simply shuffle along on their backsides.... each to their own! On all accounts, it makes for excellent video footage!

Whichever way your baby starts off crawling, she'll develop her co-ordination and senses best if she's barefooted. The perfect grip of bare feet will give her the confidence to go on making the first tentative steps of her own!

Unfortunately it's not always practical to go barefooted. You may have a cold floor at home or, if you're lucky enough to experience this fun phase in the warm Summer, there may be ants, sharp stones or prickly leaves around...

So if barefoot is not an option then socks should keep your baby's feet nice and warm indoors. Do make sure that you get socks with non-slip soles, though! You don't want your baby gliding all over the floor and picking up unnecessary bruises.

There are disadvantages to wearing socks, however:

1) they have the annoying habit of slipping or being pulled off - so you'll just loose them.

2) tight-fitting socks may actually be too tight round the ankle which can restrict blood flow and be uncomfortable for your baby.

3) you can't really use them outside very well as they get wet quickly and torn

4) they get all clammy from being chewed on by your baby

5) and they don't provide very good protection - against very cold stone floors, splinters or sharp objects.


So what's the alternative?: Soft-soled leather shoes. Read why leather shoes are a great alternative to walking barefoot.