Newborn Crochet Booties – Protect Your Baby’s Feet From the Cold!

Your baby’s toes are constantly in action, wiggling and grasping, inside or outside the shoe, which is nature’s way of developing strength for their feet through exercise. Therefore, parents must never allow shoes or socks to interfere with this toe-wiggling. Until the child begins to walk, that toe action is virtually the only exercise the foot will get. Let’s take a look at a list of newborn crochet booties that won’t constrict your baby’s toe movement.

Some parents believe that until children learn how to walk, shoes mostly serve a decorative purpose and are merely a fashion choice. I have heard several times parents say:

“Why would you put shoes on a child that is not even walking yet?!”

I always tell them to keep in mind that newborns aren’t moving around too much and this leads to their feet getting cold easily. However, a pair of newborn crochet booties will do much more than that! A pair of crochet booties will keep your child warm during the cold season and cool during the summer season.  It is important to understand that if you decide to put booties on your baby, they must not be too tight!

Soft-Soled or Hard-Soled Shoes for Babies?

Did you know that hard-soled shoes might actually impair the proper development of your baby’s feet? Your child will not need shoes until he is starting to stand and take a couple of steps at a time.

I want to clarify one thing: Wearing newborn booties is not the same as wearing shoes! Please don’t confuse them! In this article, I will describe the best newborn crochet booties. However, I wrote a post where I describe the best robeez baby shoes for toddlers who are learning how to walk.

What is the Main Purpose of Crochet Booties?

The main reason to put booties on a newborn baby is protection from cold and warm weather. Newborn booties serve as a covering of the foot, as they provide protection from the elements and extreme weather. They should be fitted to allow for full movement of the foot since the booties should not touch either the side or the top of the baby’s foot. The foot should be unrestricted to function properly inside the shoe.

When the baby should wear them depends on the weather outside and the temperature inside. Remember that newborns don’t move around much, and this leads to their feet getting cold easily.

A lot of parents have raised the question as to whether their infant’s feet should be protected from the cold. The answer is yes! A good rule is: if the hands need to be covered, so do the feet. Newborn booties can be useful during the cold weather season. However, the foot of an infant is best left uncovered when possible.

How to Allow Your Baby’s Feet to Develop Naturally?

Parents should leave their babies’ feet without shoes until the child can stand independently and take a few steps around the house. Wool booties are usually used for activities inside the house due to their breathable and comfortable nature, and they also keep children warm during the colder seasons.

As soon as your baby is old enough for some outdoor play, then you will need baby shoes that are still soft and flexible, but with a more protective and thicker sole.  I created a post where I describe the best shoes for a baby who is learning how to walk and is already taking his/her first steps.

Do You Live in an Area with Cold Weather? Get Booties for Your Baby!

Newborn booties can be made out of any material, however, a natural fabric will always be better than a synthetic fabric since it will allow the foot to breathe better. Wool booties are very flexible and will fit on your baby’s feet just like a pair of socks.

Wool is a great insulator, and during the winter season, newborn baby booties made out of wool will keep your baby’s feet warm and active. Wool can also absorb a high amount of moisture and wool fibers naturally have anti-bacterial properties that make them odor resistant.

Parents should allow themselves some time when researching newborn baby booties. Avoid booties made out of low-quality materials since they can create a myriad of problems such as skin allergies or rashes.

Newborn Booties or Socks for Your Baby?

You can’t go wrong with either. However, please take into consideration that if you are going to provide your baby with a pair of socks, they must be seamless! Remember how I explained the importance of babies to have enough room in their shoes or socks to be able to wiggle their toes? That is their only way of exercising their feet. Certain socks that are not seamless can constrict the free movement of the toes inside the socks.

I wrote a post where I explain the best socks for babies, and how to make sure you are getting the right sock size. Wearing the correct sock size has the same importance as wearing the correct shoe size, and this applies to babies, children, and adults!

Remember that according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies don’t actually need to wear shoes until they start to walk independently. Booties for newborns and babies’ first walking shoes are for protection from the weather and the elements.

Getting a pair of newborn booties for your baby is your personal choice. Don’t let anybody tell you that they are just a waste of money since they do serve a purpose!

Below you can find a selection of the best newborn crochet booties for babies. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases. This allows us to create free content and resources for many families around the world. 

The Best Newborn Crochet Booties 

Do you have a newborn baby and are thinking of providing some protection to his/her feet? Have you tried a pair of newborn booties before? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below so we can all benefit from them!

I will continue to post informative articles penned by me that address important topics such as this one.