When babies start crawling, the last thing parents want to see are their tender knees getting hurt – but that’s where baby knee pads come in. Similar in style to knee pads older children may wear when riding a bike, baby knee pads provide extra cushioning to protect a baby’s sensitive knees when crawling or trying to walk. They’re often recommended for babies when they start crawling, which typically begins around the age of 6-months.
But with all of the baby gadgets on the market nowadays, parents may be wondering if knee pads are necessary or just another gimmick to get parents to spend their money. Below, we discuss the advantages (and disadvantages) of investing in baby knee pads to help you make an informed decision.
The Benefits Of Investing In Baby Knee Pads
There are a few key advantages to baby knee pads that make many parents feel as though they're a worthwhile investment.
The Padding Protects A Baby’s Sensitive Knees
Parent Guide warns that babies have much more delicate skin than that of older children and adults, so it doesn’t take as much to bruise or scrape up their knees, which is a real possibility when they begin to crawl, especially if your home is mostly made of hardwood or another hard surface. Even carpet, however, can rub a baby’s skin raw, causing irritation and discomfort.
Baby knee pads are a quick solution to this, as they offer extra padding, cushioning, and therefore protection to your baby’s knees. You won’t have to worry about them getting scuffed or scratched, thus offering parents peace of mind and babies additional comfort. This is important even when your baby has started walking, as it can help protect them if the baby falls, trips, or bangs their knee on something. For many parents, knee pads are a necessary safety precaution.
It Keeps The Baby Cleaner
If your baby is going to be crawling or walking on the ground, it’s important to ensure the floors are as clean as possible and there are no potential choking or tripping hazards that may get in their way. But for parents worried about cleanliness, baby knee pads offer an extra layer of protection. They’ll prevent the baby’s knees from getting dark from dirt or dust.
They’re Helpful For Babies With Special Needs
Parent Guide further explains that some children with special needs take longer to develop, and so may be crawling for a longer period of time when compared to other children. Therefore, knee pads may be a smart option for children who have hemophilia, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or muscular dystrophy, or other conditions where they will be expected to crawl for longer before they walk.
Why Baby Knee Pads May Not Be Worth It
While there are some worthwhile advantages to baby knee pads, they’re not completely necessary. Here’s why.
Babies Have Been Crawling Without Them For Centuries
Perhaps one of the most obvious reasons as to why knee pads are unnecessary is because babies have been learning to crawl and walk without them for centuries. Your baby’s knees and legs naturally toughen up as they start to become more mobile, and furthermore, feeling the different textures of ground without knee pads getting in their way is important for their exploration. If babies have been getting on fine without them since the dawn of time, why do babies nowadays need them?
There Are Other Ways To Protect A Baby’s Knees
Knee pads aren’t the only solution to protecting your baby’s knees as they become more active. Dr. Arti Sharma told Parenting First Cry that parents should be cautious to prevent their babies from crawling on rough surfaces in the first place, such as concrete or gravel, which can cause them harm even without knee pads. Ground such as gravel also poses a choking hazard to babies, who will likely be curious about the small rocks.
Dr. Sharma adds that parents concerned with their baby’s knees becoming cracked or dray can moisturize it with a soothing lotion to prevent damage. You can also do the same to their hands or elbows if those are becoming rough from the baby trying to crawl or walk. If you have hardwood, concrete, or another hard material as flooring, parents can consider laying down a rug or towel to make the ground easier on their baby's knees and hands.
As it stands, there are advantages to investing in baby knee pads but they’re not absolutely necessary. Investing in knee pads is a personal decision. It may offer parents peace of mind and babies extra comfort and protection, but as has been stated, many children have grown up completely fine without the help of these accessories. Where do you stand on the baby knee pad debate?
Sources: Parenting First Cry, Parenting First Cry, Parent Guide, Free Range Kids,