Not to put socks on my baby?

[BertieBotts]

DS is 14 months but not walking yet, so I don't put shoes on him, and socks last precisely 0.05 seconds before being thoroughly explored, ripped off and lost, so I never bother with them on their own - his feet are warm enough in the footmuff anyway, and if I get him out of the pushchair anywhere it's usually heated.

But today at the Children's Centre I had about four people exclaim at his socklessness and one woman told me twice that he didn't have any socks on (in case I hadn't noticed?) and that he had cold feet (he didn't).

Admittedly it was colder than usual in there today since it has been closed over Christmas, but he didn't seem upset by having bare feet and they didn't even feel that cold to me. Why are people obsessed with socks?

[displayuntiltwelfthnight]

probably because they do offer some protection against the cold and also against the floors your dc is standing on. His feet must be so dirty! I'm all for bare feet a lot of the time but would definitely put at least warm socks on inside the footmuff if going outside and definitely if going to a playcentre.

[Muser]

No kids so can't comment on the needs for socks or not. But this might make you feel better. My friend was a toddler in a hot country. She spent most time outside on the beach so never had shoes. When she came back to the UK her mum thought she'd better get her shoes, so she took her to a shoe shop. The assistant asked her what size she normally wore, her mum said she'd had no idea as she'd never had shoes before. Cue sales assistant looking like my mum was the most neglectful parent in the world as the poor 3 year old had no shoes. Apparently my mum felt obliged to buy the most expensive pair in the shop to prove her worth.

[Muser]

Sorry, sleepy and got my mums mixed up there. Her mum, not my mum. I had shoes.

[Fruitbatlings]

They should mind their own business but have you tried sock-ons? Might not work for a 14 month old but worth a try maybe? Only £3 and they sell them in mothercare. Up to you if you don't think he needs socks though!

[XmasElkwithFrostyAntlers]

ah bugger it bertiebotts, you know your DS, let others comment and get on with what you know best. my dd doesn't like her socks much either! she has got better with them recently (22months) but will take them off given any opportunity!
people just like making comments. it's annoying or funny, depending on your mood or outlook at that moment!

[poinsettydawg]

I think people imagine what something would be like and maybe they wouldn't fancy trotting about the children's centre in bare feet. Would you walk about in bare feet?

[SixtyFootDoll]

What about those socks with rubber grips on the bottoms.
Socks are better at keeping feet warm than a blanket.
I would be a bit at seeing a sockless baby this time of year.

[scottishmummy]

mine wouldn't wear socks no siree.cue every bidie haranguing me for neglect

[Maleeka]

Sorry but my feet were bleedin freezin the last few days and that was in warm boots! Socks all the way for me

[brightwell]

I used to put ds in navy tights under his trousers, it put a stop to him whipping his socks off.

[ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight]

Why don't you buy some soft shoes? You can get them in primark for £2 if money is tight and they lace/velcro up over socks and won't come off. I think it's too cold to be without socks tbh.

[fruitsticksinyourstocking]

I've also taken to putting DS2 (10 months) in tights.

Noone can tell under his trousers and he is toasty and warm - and at least his feet always match now

[Divatheshopaholic]

i saw today new baby with no socks, little tiny red feet and fleecesuit type thing one and carried on chest, mother was busy shopping with full basket full of stuff.
im sorry, but this is mid winter, weather is cold,too.

[BosomForAPillow]

My dd is also a sock remover and as we don't have carpet in our house her feet got so cold once summer was over. She wears theseslippers which are fantastic - so cosy and she cannot take them off. I want my own pair now!

[victoriascrumptious]

YANBU. Tell the silly people to mind their own

[fruitsticksinyourstocking]

I got some brown stripy ones from baby gap and some red ones from M&S

[JaneS]

Is it possible they're just concerned that you might have lost the socks en route?

Btw, I still potter around sock and shoe-less (yes, very 'common', judge me as you will!) because it's so comfortable - my mum says she could never get socks to stay on me so gave up trying. If it hasn't done me any harm in 25 years ...

[mvemjsunp]

Do you have an objection to tights on your DS?

If you had a DD, would you put her in tights or keep her bare-legged?

[shockers]

Bare feet in a british december.... I wouldn't.
Have you tried those little soft shoe things with elastic at the ankle? My Dcs couldn't keep socks on but those seemed to work.

[ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight]

like that

[Plumm]

If DS takes them off then there's no point in putting them on, and if he's wrapped up in snowsuit or footmuff when outside then I think that's adequate.

Tell them to mind there own business!

[MmeLindt]

I would look strangely at anyone taking their DC out without socks in winter.

We live in a hot(ish) country and DH is always amazed at the sockless babies in UK. If it is less than around 25 degrees then my babies wore socks.

[Morloth]

DS always had/has very sweaty feet and hands and still has to be forced into gloves (even when playing the snow the other day!). He tends to overheat quite quickly even now (which means he is screwed when we head home).

If his feet are warm then don't worry about it.

[ChippingIn]

I wouldn't as I think it's too cold, even in a 'heated' place, but if you think he's warm enough - then that's up to you. However, babies/toddlers 'look' cold without them on, so I don't think you should be suprised at the comments!!

Other people have posted links/pictures of great alternatives to socks (which can be the devils work to keep on!).

[BertieBotts]

at the huge variance of responses. I often walk around barefoot and hate wearing anything on my feet indoors unless it's really cold so I suppose it never occurred to me that some people might find it strange.

Yes, his feet get dirty, but I just wash them!