Babies don’t really need any kind of shoes till the time that they start walking. Putting anything on your baby’s feet before that will only cause hindrance for the little one when it comes to his/her movements. As soon as your baby starts taking his/her first steps, the need for some good shoes arises. These are much different than the baby shoes that your kid is used to wearing. Baby shoes are usually the slip on kinds, and unlike those, the shoes that are introduced to your baby after his first steps are more flexible, made of rubber soles and do have an upper covering. It is a good idea to make your baby wear the shoes when he/she goes outside. That way your little one will be protected from hazardous surfaces. Things like rough or splintery surfaces could easily hurt your little one and a good pair of shoes can easily protect your baby from all that.
Things to Look For:
Laces or velcro both work brilliantly. Velcro makes it much easier to remove and put on. However, there is always the chance that your little one will be able to figure out how to work them and be able to remove the shoes. Breathable material like cloth is the best as they will help your little one’s feet breathe. A good fit is very important for a child to try on shoes. When your little one stands, enough room should be there to squeeze your pinky between his heel and the heel of the shoe. The shoe should provide just enough wiggle room without being too big. Remember to check the fit of the shoes every month, since your little one will grow quite quickly. There is the chance that your baby’s feet might swell through the day, so buying shoes at the end of the day to make sure that they fit right. Shoes purchased in the morning might feel tight in the evening. Keep in mind to not use shoes that have sharp metal objects on them as this could hurt your little one and cause more harm than good.
