A Guide To Buying Baby And Toddler Shoes
Lucy Bartlett
Choosing the correct shoes for infants and younger children can
be a bit daunting, hopefully this guide will make you a little
more confident when it comes to making your purchase.
Babies which are not yet crawling or walking really do not need
shoes, and it is advisable to let them keep their feet free so
they can move and develop naturally. Wearing a pair of soft
knitted of fleece material baby booties are a good idea to keep
their feet warm when the temperature is cooler. If you would
like your baby to wear shoes when you go out, opt for a very
soft breathable material and make sure that the shoe is plenty
big enough to allow for natural movement of the foot and toes.
When your baby starts crawling, again they do not really need
shoes but with all of the rubbing across the floor that the top
of their foot will endure it is advisable to purchase a soft
pair of shoes for some protection when the terrain is a bit
rough. Although very delicate, babies feet are also very tough,
and can naturally withstand the chaffing caused by crawling.
Socks are adequate, but generally will end up trailing behind
their feet most of the time! At home try to let your baby crawl
around with bare feet or just socks, as the constant wearing of
a shoe will inhibit their ability to develop the use of their
feet.
Once your baby has taken their first steps it is time to buy
their first pair of walking shoes. Although bear in mind that
the more time spent walking bare foot the better, as it helps
your baby to figure out how their feet work and also helps the
foot develop naturally.
There are times when going bare foot is not practical or it is
unsanitary so you need a good pair of shoes to protect their
feet from harm.
The shoes you select need to be soft and flexible and have a
non slip sole. Ensure that the sole is not thick so that your
baby can feel the floor beneath them. It is not necessary to
buy high tops for ankle support, high tops could restrict the
movement of the ankle which will hinder your babies walking
progress. Make sure the material is soft and breathable to help
keep their feet cool and comfortable.
To check the fit of your baby’s shoe, you should be able to fit
your little finger between the heel of your baby’s foot and the
back of the shoe, also there should be a thumbs width gap
between the big toe and the front of the shoe.
Baby shoes do not need to be “broken in” so get them to have a
little walk around the shop with them on and watch to see if
the shoes hinder their walking, then remove the shoes and check
for any signs of pressure from the shoes on your babies’ feet.
Whether you choose Velcro or lace ups is a personal choice for
you. Remember that the shoes will be taken on and off a lot, so
many people opt for Velcro for convenience. If you select laced
shoes, do not over tighten the laces or just as importantly do
not tie them too loose.
Something to remember is that when the weather is hot, and also
towards the end of the day, children’s feet swell just as adults
do, so when shopping for shoes it might be an idea to go later
in the day.
Check the fit of your baby’s shoes once a month, as children’s
feet grow at different rates there is no set period to purchase
a new pair, but expect to buy a new pair every three to six
months. Check the shoes often for signs of wear or damage, for
example cracks on the bottom or holes or flapping parts on the
top.
About The Author: Lucy Bartlett is a proud contributing author.
Find more articles at http://mindbodyandsoulportal.info/ For
more info visit http://bouncingbabyshoes.info/ or
http://bouncingbabyshoes.info/toddler-shoes.html
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