Baby Shoes Buying Guide
Author: Salma Jafri
Generally you can divide baby shoes into two categories: soft shoes or booties worn when a baby is learning to walk or needs light protection and shoes with a stronger sole for when needs more protection.
So how do you go about buying each type, when do you buy them, and when do you transition baby from soft shoes to sturdier shoes? Enter the baby shoes buying guide.
When Do You Put On the First Pair of Shoes?
Before babies start cruising or walking, socks are probably the best covering for little feet. However once babies start cruising, a lot of parents like to put on soft shoes or booties. Booties have soft pliable soles that mold to the shape of the feet.
When your baby needs to wear shoes to protect their feet, many pediatricians recommend soft-soled over hard-soled shoes because they allow your baby's feet more flexibility to grow.
If your baby will be walking in an area that may be wet or could contain pointy objects, like the park, you probably want to dress them in sturdier, strong soled shoes.
What Type of Shoes to Buy?
Soft shoes and booties should be flexible, soft and breathable so as not to restrict any movement. They should have non-skid bottoms (usually rubber patterns) so that a baby doesn't lose her foothold while crawling around in them.
When buying sturdier shoes for walking, look for flexible, non-skid rubber soles that are easy to put on and take off. Many parents choose Velcro at first and that's a good choice so long as the child cannot or will not take off the shoes himself at inappropriate times (like when you're out grocery shopping and return home to find a shoe missing!). When your baby reaches this point, laces can replace Velcro.
How to Determine the Correct Size of Shoes?
The rule of thumb for buying a baby's shoes is actually the rule of finger. If an adult's pinky finger can snugly fit into the heel-end of the shoe after baby is wearing them, then that shoe size is appropriate for baby - it's not too small to be tight and uncomfortable nor too big to fall off but just right to cover the feet while not hindering any foot growth. Another marker you can use is to check if there's a thumb-sized space between a baby's toes and the shoe's front-end.
For older babies and toddlers who can walk, you should ask the baby to walk in the shoe and inspect her feet a few minutes later for any red marks, pinched toes, etc. You can also tell by your child's walking or running posture if the shoe is comfortable: if yes, then he'll be active as usual, if not then he'll be more cautious and tread carefully.
You should get your baby's foot measured by a qualified fitter every month and possibly replace shoes every three to six months. Don't compromise in the baby shoe buying department - incorrect shoes may be responsible for posture problems later on in life.
