Buying The Best Shoes For Your Baby

Shoe shopping is one of the most exciting parts of parenthood. There’s no better feeling than watching your little one waddle around in a colorful, bright, and simply adorable pair of shoes at home and at the park. As fun as it is to browse through all kinds of styles and line our nurseries with fantastic footwear, we should still remember that buying clothes and shoes for babies isn’t simply a matter of style. Your baby’s comfort and health are also vital factors to consider. Here are some great tips for buying functional, adorable, and comfortable shoes for your baby.

When Should My Baby Start Wearing Shoes?

The best time to buy your baby some shoes is when he or she has already started walking. As babies explore the world around them, they become prone to injuries from tiny objects, bigger feet, and various other hazards. Shoes help protect a baby’s foot from injury and provide needed insulation during cold weather.

If your baby hasn’t learned how to walk yet you should protect his feet using socks or booties. It’s better for babies to remain barefoot when they’re still at their crawling stage as their feet need room to grow and develop normally.

 

Qualities To Look For When Buying Baby Shoes

 

1. Flexibility

Nobody enjoys shoes that are too hard and rigid for comfort. Your shoes need to follow the natural movements of your toes and feet. Babies especially need to wear shoes that can adjust to the growth and movement of their tiny feet. Shoes that are too stiff and rigid will only cause deformities, delayed mobility, and discomfort for fragile babies. When choosing the right pair of footwear for your child, try to bend and twist a shoe as much as you can. You should also grasp a shoe while your child is trying it on. If you can’t feel their toes through the fabric or leather, and if your chosen pair of shoes feel like rocks in your hands, go for another pair.

 

2. Soft Padding and Non-skid Soles

Chafing often occurs when babies wear diapers, clothes, and pretty much anything close to their skin. You can keep your child’s feet from rubbing against rough and hard material by choosing shoes with soft padding. The padding inside most pairs of baby shoes can usually be found on the inner sole and around the ankles.

Another nice feature to look for inside baby shoes is non-skid soles. These help your baby walk along the ground without slipping or tripping by accident. Choosing shoes with good traction ensures that your baby can learn how to walk and explore the house without suffering terrible injuries or slamming face-first against the wall and floor.

 

3. A Correct And Secure Fit

Shoes that are too loose and too tight for comfort are a big no-no for babies. Unlike teens and adults, babies just aren’t capable of “breaking in shoes” or adjusting to different fits. You’ll need to find shoes that can snugly fit on a baby’s feet without coming loose or pinching the skin.

One way you can test the fit of your baby’s shoes is to have them try them on while standing. There should be at least half an inch of space (or width the size of a thumb) between your baby’s big toe and the front end of the shoe. Any more or less will only cause unnecessary strain and pain for the wearer.

While your baby is standing up you should also check whether or not there is enough space between your baby’s heel and the back end of the shoe. Your baby’s heels need room to move up and down without rubbing against any hard or uncomfortable material. An easy way to check this is to simply slide your pinky between your child’s heel and the heel of the shoe. If your pinkie doesn’t fit, try another pair.

You can also check the width of your baby’s shoes by pinching and grasping the fabric. If you can’t grasp any material between your fingers, the shoes are probably too tight. If you’re grasping a lot of material between your fingers, the shoes are probably too wide.

 

4. Light And Breathable Fabric

The transition from bare feet to shoes isn’t always that easy and clear-cut. Your baby will experience sweaty feet when they start wearing shoes. You’ll need to pick material that’s soft, breathable, and lightweight if you want to avoid athlete’s foot and other foot health complications. Fabric, leather, and canvas are popular choices for baby’s shoes since they can allow tiny feet to breathe and feel comfortable.

 

5. No Unnecessary Features

You don’t need to buy shoes with fancy features like arch and ankle support or reinforced heels. Normal shoes without any additional features are much better for your baby since they don’t get in the way of natural growth and development. Your baby’s development won’t be sped up in any way by fancy shoes, so don’t worry about spending extra on them. What’s important is that your baby wears shoes that allow their feet to breathe and grow normally.