Should I Cast My Baby's Hands or Feet?

One of the questions I'm asked most often by new parents is:

"If I can only choose one, should I cast my baby's hands or feet?"

It's a lovely question, and the honest answer is that there isn't a right or wrong choice. Every family is different.

After creating hundreds of baby castings over the years, I've found that the decision often comes down to what you want to remember most about your baby at this particular stage of their life.

Baby Feet

For many families, baby feet are the classic choice.

There is something instantly recognisable about those tiny curled toes and impossibly soft little soles. Even as babies grow, their feet change remarkably quickly, making a cast a wonderful reminder of just how tiny they once were.

Feet also tend to be slightly easier to cast, especially with very young babies, as they naturally stay a little more relaxed during the process.

If you're looking for a timeless keepsake that beautifully captures your baby's first weeks or months, feet are a wonderful choice.

Baby Hands

Hands tell a different story.

Tiny fingers wrapped around yours are often among a parent's earliest and strongest memories. Capturing every delicate crease, tiny fingernail and little knuckle creates an incredibly personal sculpture.

Many parents tell me that years later they instinctively place their own hand against the bronze cast, amazed at just how tiny their baby's hand once was.

Hands can be slightly more challenging to cast simply because babies love to wiggle their fingers, but with patience, experience and good timing they often become the most treasured piece in a family's collection.

Or... Their Bottom?

Believe it or not, every now and then someone jokingly asks whether I can cast their baby's adorable little bottom!

I completely understand the temptation—they're incredibly cute—but that's one keepsake I'll happily leave to the family photo album.

Hands and feet, on the other hand, create beautiful sculptures you'll proudly display in your home for decades.

Which Changes More?

People often ask whether hands or feet change the most as a baby grows.

The truth is that they both change incredibly quickly.

Within just a few months, babies begin stretching, opening their hands more confidently, and those tiny newborn wrinkles gradually soften. Their feet lengthen surprisingly fast too.

That's one of the reasons parents often tell me afterwards that they're so grateful they captured this fleeting stage.

If You Can Only Choose One...

If your budget means choosing between hands and feet, I'd usually suggest thinking about which part of your baby you'll miss most in years to come.

If you adore those tiny curled toes, choose the feet.

If you can't imagine forgetting the feeling of those tiny fingers wrapped around yours, choose the hands.

Why Many Families Choose Both

Interestingly, many families arrive thinking they'll choose either hands or feet.

Then, once they see examples in person, they realise each tells a different part of their baby's story.

Hands capture connection.

Feet capture growth.

Together they create a complete memory of your baby exactly as they were.

Years later, parents often tell me they're so pleased they chose both, simply because those tiny details disappear far sooner than any of us expect.

My Advice

If you're unsure, don't worry.

I'll always talk through the options with you before your appointment and help you choose the piece that feels most meaningful for your family.

Whether you choose hands, feet or both, the most important thing is simply capturing them while they're still wonderfully tiny.

Because before you know it, those little hands will be holding pencils, climbing trees and waving goodbye at the school gates.

And you'll wonder how they ever fitted in the palm of your hand.