Many experts suggest that the best shoe is the bare foot. Unfortunately, that is not practical. Children need shoes for protection and warmth. Use these guidelines when shopping for shoes for your young toddler:Make sure the shoe fits. A shoe that is too large will make your child trip and fall. A shoe that is too small will cause sores and be painful to wear.
Get help checking the fit. Test the length and width of your baby's foot while your baby is standing.
Buy shoes that protect the feet. The shoes don't need special features like wedges, inserts, high tops or arches unless your baby's doctor recommends them.
Buy lightweight shoes with flexible, nonslip soles. These features will make it easier for your baby to learn to walk.
Don't shop when your baby is tired or hungry.
Bring along a favorite toy or book and a snack in case you have to wait for sales help.
Compare prices and look for the best value. Your baby will probably outgrow her shoes several times a year. Check the fit regularly. Don't buy ahead. Avoid hand-me-down shoes. These tips were reproduced from the U.S. Department of Education.
(Source: Your baby's first shoes
Approved by the Medical Advisory Board
Reviewed by Nancy Showen, M.D.
Last updated: July 2004
By the BabyCenter editorial staff )
Once your child takes his first momentous steps, he's ready for his first pair of shoes. Until then, he'll just need some socks or booties to keep his tootsies warm when it's cold. In fact, even after your child's racing around, it's a good idea to let him go barefoot whenever it's safe. He'll enjoy the sensation of various surfaces (soft sand, lush carpet, cool tile) beneath his feet, and a barefoot base will him build strength and coordination in his legs and feet, too. For places where he'll need protection, though (outdoors or on a splintery surface, for example), get him a pair of comfy shoes that will aid his toddling efforts.
Tips for shoe shopping
• Shop later in the day. While your child may be better rested in the morning, his feet will be, too. In fact, they'll expand about 5 percent by the end of the day, which makes for a better fit.
• Choose a sneaker or other breathable, lightweight upper (canvas, cloth, or soft leather) instead of the old-fashioned stiff leather shoes we've all had bronzed. Avoid synthetic uppers, which can cause feet to sweat.
• Look at the soles. They should be flexible and gripping, not smooth and stiff. A nonskid rubber sole with ridges will offer good traction.
• You don't need to buy high-tops for support, but they do stay on better!
• To check for fit, have your child stand up. There should be just enough room to squeeze your pinky between his heel and the shoe, and the full width of your thumb should fit between the end of his toe and the tip of the shoe. That'll give him some wriggle room.
• Grab a bit of the material on top of his foot (if the upper is soft enough). If you can't grasp any, the shoe might be too tight at the ball of the foot.
• Don't expect your child to "break in" a pair of shoes. Let him toddle around the store for a while, then take the shoe off and check his foot for any irritated spots.
• Make sure any laces are long enough to double knot (or buy a longer replacement pair while you're at the shoe store).
• Some parents love the ease of Velcro fasteners. But others point out that once kids figure out how easy it is to undo the Velcro, the shoes may be off more often than on. Plus, you may hear that ripping sound of the Velcro opening just when you don't want to hear it — at religious services, for example.
• Shop later in the day. While your child may be better rested in the morning, his feet will be, too. In fact, they'll expand about 5 percent by the end of the day, which makes for a better fit.
• Choose a sneaker or other breathable, lightweight upper (canvas, cloth, or soft leather) instead of the old-fashioned stiff leather shoes we've all had bronzed. Avoid synthetic uppers, which can cause feet to sweat.
• Look at the soles. They should be flexible and gripping, not smooth and stiff. A nonskid rubber sole with ridges will offer good traction.
• You don't need to buy high-tops for support, but they do stay on better!
• To check for fit, have your child stand up. There should be just enough room to squeeze your pinky between his heel and the shoe, and the full width of your thumb should fit between the end of his toe and the tip of the shoe. That'll give him some wriggle room.
• Grab a bit of the material on top of his foot (if the upper is soft enough). If you can't grasp any, the shoe might be too tight at the ball of the foot.
• Don't expect your child to "break in" a pair of shoes. Let him toddle around the store for a while, then take the shoe off and check his foot for any irritated spots.
• Make sure any laces are long enough to double knot (or buy a longer replacement pair while you're at the shoe store).
• Some parents love the ease of Velcro fasteners. But others point out that once kids figure out how easy it is to undo the Velcro, the shoes may be off more often than on. Plus, you may hear that ripping sound of the Velcro opening just when you don't want to hear it — at religious services, for example.
With all this focus on feet, you may notice a few things that make you wonder. Keep in mind that a child's foot is still developing, and so it might not look — or act — like an adult foot. If your child still has a padding of baby fat under his arches, for example, he might appear a bit flat-footed. Or he may have a tendency to turn his toes in when he walks, called "in-toeing" or "toeing in" (which most kids outgrow by the time they reach school age). Be sure to mention any concerns at your next well-baby checkup, because foot problems are much easier to correct when your child is little. Other concerns to point out include a foot that rolls in at the ankle, or one foot that turns in more than the other.Once you cross shoe shopping for your toddler off your to do list, put it right back on again. His feet are growing rapidly now, and you'll want to check the fit every few weeks. Chances are he'll need a bigger pair in two to three months.
Before You Buy Baby's First Shoes
Your baby is walking! Now is the time to shop for some baby walking shoes. Before you buy, though, check out these tips to be sure you get a pair of baby shoes that will help, not hinder, your baby's walking experience.
When Should I Buy Shoes for Baby?
If your baby is starting to take a few steps, it's time. Many parents prefer to let their children walk without shoes, which is fine. A good amount of barefoot time can be helpful to new walkers, who need to figure out how their feet work before having shoes on all day. There are times, though, when it's dangerous or just plain gross for baby to go barefoot, so all babies need a pair of shoes to protect those sweet little feet from harm.
What Kind of Baby Shoes Should I Buy?
Baby shoes should be soft and flexible so that baby can use his or her feet properly for balance. The bottom should be non-slip and should have plenty of traction, but steer clear of extra-thick soles that might trip baby up. High-top baby shoes aren't necessary for ankle support, but if you do choose high-tops, be sure baby can still wiggle his or her ankles or it may be hard for baby to walk very well. Look for shoes in a breathable material so baby's feet stay cool and comfy.
When Should I Buy Shoes for Baby?
If your baby is starting to take a few steps, it's time. Many parents prefer to let their children walk without shoes, which is fine. A good amount of barefoot time can be helpful to new walkers, who need to figure out how their feet work before having shoes on all day. There are times, though, when it's dangerous or just plain gross for baby to go barefoot, so all babies need a pair of shoes to protect those sweet little feet from harm.
What Kind of Baby Shoes Should I Buy?
Baby shoes should be soft and flexible so that baby can use his or her feet properly for balance. The bottom should be non-slip and should have plenty of traction, but steer clear of extra-thick soles that might trip baby up. High-top baby shoes aren't necessary for ankle support, but if you do choose high-tops, be sure baby can still wiggle his or her ankles or it may be hard for baby to walk very well. Look for shoes in a breathable material so baby's feet stay cool and comfy.
How Should Baby Shoes Fit?
Babies should not have to break in their shoes. After your baby has toddled around the store in the new shoes for a while, take the shoes off and check baby's feet for any signs of chafing or pinching. If the shoes rub or seem to make walking difficult, find another pair. You should be able to put your pinky finger in between the heel of the shoe and the baby's foot, and there should be about a thumb-width between baby's toes and the end of the shoe.
Laces or Velcro?
Laces do need to be re-tied a lot, which may send parents in search of Velcro baby shoes. It's a matter of personal choice. Lace-up shoes are harder for babies to take off. Velcro is easier to figure out for the young mind, so be prepared for baby to learn to remove Velcro shoes fairly quickly. Try tying the shoe laces a few times in the store. You'll be tying and re-tying these shoes a lot, so be sure the laces are long enough and easy to work with. If you choose a slip-on shoe for baby, put the shoe on a few times in the store to be sure it slips on easily for dressing but doesn't fall off when baby walks.
When Should I Shop?
Just like adults, babies' feet can sometimes swell towards the end of a hard day. Shopping for baby's walking shoes later in the day will ensure the shoes are not too tight when baby's tootsies are tired. Plan your shopping trip for after a nap or at a time when your baby is normally in a good mood. Getting a cranky, tired baby to walk around and model shoes won't make for a pleasant trip.
How Often Should I Buy Shoes?
Check the fit of your baby's shoes at least once a month. All babies grow at different rates, but you can expect to buy shoes in bigger sizes at least every three to six months. Some babies, like my daughter, will require bigger shoes almost monthly. Check for signs of wear on the shoes and be ready to replace them if the bottoms crack or if there are holes in top or sides. Babies and toddlers will find plenty of things to trip over, so be sure their shoes aren't part of the problem!
Babies should not have to break in their shoes. After your baby has toddled around the store in the new shoes for a while, take the shoes off and check baby's feet for any signs of chafing or pinching. If the shoes rub or seem to make walking difficult, find another pair. You should be able to put your pinky finger in between the heel of the shoe and the baby's foot, and there should be about a thumb-width between baby's toes and the end of the shoe.
Laces or Velcro?
Laces do need to be re-tied a lot, which may send parents in search of Velcro baby shoes. It's a matter of personal choice. Lace-up shoes are harder for babies to take off. Velcro is easier to figure out for the young mind, so be prepared for baby to learn to remove Velcro shoes fairly quickly. Try tying the shoe laces a few times in the store. You'll be tying and re-tying these shoes a lot, so be sure the laces are long enough and easy to work with. If you choose a slip-on shoe for baby, put the shoe on a few times in the store to be sure it slips on easily for dressing but doesn't fall off when baby walks.
When Should I Shop?
Just like adults, babies' feet can sometimes swell towards the end of a hard day. Shopping for baby's walking shoes later in the day will ensure the shoes are not too tight when baby's tootsies are tired. Plan your shopping trip for after a nap or at a time when your baby is normally in a good mood. Getting a cranky, tired baby to walk around and model shoes won't make for a pleasant trip.
How Often Should I Buy Shoes?
Check the fit of your baby's shoes at least once a month. All babies grow at different rates, but you can expect to buy shoes in bigger sizes at least every three to six months. Some babies, like my daughter, will require bigger shoes almost monthly. Check for signs of wear on the shoes and be ready to replace them if the bottoms crack or if there are holes in top or sides. Babies and toddlers will find plenty of things to trip over, so be sure their shoes aren't part of the problem!
