Best Baby Socks

There’s just something about those tiny toes on baby feet. You want to count them, play “This Little Piggy” and tickle them too. But whether you have a newborn or a toddler, you know that keeping your little one’s feet cozy, comfortable and covered is key.

And when it comes to baby socks, the universal rule of socks applies: they will mysteriously disappear, no matter how many you buy. So our advice? Buy in bulk, so you always have a stash of baby socks handy. Pro tip from moms who’ve been there, done that: buy one color in bulk, that way you never have to worry about mismatched pairs.

What does “in bulk” mean when it comes to baby socks? As a parent to young kids, you’ll be doing multiple loads of laundry a week (trust!), so there’s no reason to go overboard. But you can’t go wrong with a solid dozen pairs—that way you’ll always have a few clean pairs handy even if you fall behind on the wash (it’ll happen!).

Keep in mind, too, that different ages and stages require different kinds of socks.

• Infants: Soft, cotton and cozy are key, with enough elasticity to keep them in place on tiny baby feet.
• New walkers: Socks with a bit of grip are probably a good bet to stabilize your adventurous babe, since they’ll be toddling sans shoes a lot.
• Toddlers and beyond: Their socks will have to actually go into shoes, so consider length, fit and thickness, so the transition to shoes will be a comfortable one.