All About Baby’s Footwear

When your baby takes those first few tottering steps, it is indeed a very exciting time. It is also the time every parent start to look for appropriate footwear for the baby.

Some parents even buy shoes for babies when they start to crawl! But experts do not recommend this as footwear at that stage can hinder the development of baby’s feet. Babies who have not yet started to walk only require protection from cold in the winter. Soft baby booties and socks will suffice for this purpose.

Once the child starts to walk, shoes play an important role because they provide safety, support and comfort for the child. Here are some tips on choosing baby’s footwear:

The right size: Very rarely do footwear shops in our country measure a toddler’s foot before recommending footwear, and then again, the three dimensional aspect is rarely taken into consideration. Additionally, most children and some adults have one foot larger than the other.

This means that getting the right sized shoe for your toddler can take some time. Too large can mean that the child could trip and fall; too small will cramp the child’s growing feet and cause him pain. It is recommended that there be a space of about half an inch of growth-room from the longest toe to the front of the shoes. You may get the right size by inserting a finger in the heel end of the shoe when the baby tries it on.

You can also make the child wear the shoes in the shop and then make him walk and run for a few minutes. After this, check for any red marks or for pinched toes.  You will also notice that if the shoes are uncomfortable, the child will hesitate to walk in them and generally appear very restricted in his movements.

The right material: Children run around a lot and their feet can get hot and sweaty twice as much as an adult’s. The material of the shoes should be preferably something natural and breathable. Soft leather or canvas is ideal.

Flexibility:  Soft-sole shoes that are flexible are advised for the growth and development of your toddler’s feet. When the child walks, the shoes should bend not only in the middle but also in the front where the toes are.

Re-check size every 6-8 weeks: As babies grow fast, their shoe size will change every two or three months. From the age of 12 months to 24 months, re-check shoe size every eight weeks. After 24 months, one should check the shoe size every four months.

Fasteners: Avoid lace-up shoes as the child can trip over open laces and fall often. Velcro fasteners are the most convenient for parents. But remember that children learn fast and very soon you will find your child peeling the Velcro, removing the shoes and running around gleefully, barefoot!

Skid resistant footwear: Footwear with soles that have traction to limit your baby’s falls is very useful. This will reduce the number of falls which peak at this stage.

How many pairs? There really is no upper limit, although it is debatable if your baby will wear a lot of it, as she will outgrow them so quickly. Practically, three to four pairs would be a good idea. One for daily wear, one or two pairs for occasions, and one for playtime in the mucky garden or park!

Orthotics: Some parents start to panic when they don’t see the arches on their baby’s feet and rush to get orthotics for their child. But this is not necessary; on the contrary, they might harm the normal development of the child. A child may start to develop arches on their feet only after two or three years or even four years of age.  So it is best to wait and then have a doctor diagnose the problem and suggest suitable orthotics.

Children who hate footwear: Many children hate footwear. They need time to get used to the idea. First get them used to some comfortable baby socks and then try some shoes. Allow them to choose the pair they like and there are greater chances that they will wear those without giving you much trouble!