BABY SHOE
Here's what we know for sure about baby shoes: They are darn cute. Indeed, many parents confess to buying their baby's first pair of shoes strictly for pleasure. Beyond the eye appeal, though, there are conflicting opinions about baby shoes.
Six Tips for Choosing Baby's First Shoes
The first steps that a baby takes are one of the greatest moments in a baby's life. This new beginning is incredibly exciting for the parents, and provides the child with a new mode of transportation and a new view on the world. As your baby begins to walk, it is important to find shoes for his new journey. Here are a number of essential tips for choosing baby's first shoes to help you to choose the very best for your changing baby.
Many parents like to provide children with shoes even before they are walking. Shoes for very young babies are not essential, but are certainly a fine item to purchase. The most important tips for choosing baby's first shoes prior to the walking stage include warmth and protection. Babies who aren't walking really just need to have their feet kept warm in the colder months and to have their toes protected. Babies at this stage can use soft booties or socks. If parents do choose to select shoes at this point, the shoes should be soft-soled with a little room at the toe for movement.
Once your baby is on the move, it becomes more vital to provide exactly the right shoes for this little athlete. Contrary to popular belief, shoes don't help your child to learn to stand or walk; nor do they make these jobs easier. What they do, however, is to add safety, support and comfort once your child is on the go and walking. At this point, it's important to know many tips for choosing baby's first shoes. Here is a run down of the essentials for your shopping excursion.
- One of the most important tips for choosing baby's first shoes is to become an expert researcher. Shop at a children's shoe store that can give you advice on which shoes to buy, which shoes fit best and which have room to grow. They should also have available a large selection of wide fittings. 85% of young children ages 6 months to 3 years have wide feet!
- Make sure the store measures both your child's feet, since most children have one foot which is larger than the other. Buy shoes based on the larger foot.
- Your baby's shoes should have about half an inch of growth room from the longest toe to the front of the shoe. If the shoes are too big, they will trip your child; too small and they will cramp your child's growing feet (not to mention that the child will out grow them very quickly)
- The American Podiatric Association recommends flexible, soft-sole shoes for the best growth and development of young feet. The traditional stiff, high-top, hard-sole shoes that many of us have bronzed from our own childhoods are often detrimental to the growth of little feet.
- Baby feet exert a lot of energy and get hot quickly. They can sweat twice as much as adult feet! Shoes that are made of natural, breathable material are the best choice for little ones.
- Have your child's feet and new shoes rechecked 6-8 weeks after purchasing the first pair of shoes. Children's feet grow very quickly and they may only wear their first pair of shoes for 2-3 months. Their feet should be checked at this rate from ages 12 months to 24 months and should then be checked approximately every three months from 24 to 36 months.
Most people in the world are not born with foot problems. These problems develop from neglect and a lack of awareness of proper care. In particular, ill fitting shoes in the early stages of growth and development can have an adverse effect for the child's lifetime and can create foot, leg and back problems later in life. According to the US government, two thirds of adults have problems with their feet by the time they reach middle age; 89% of these problems could have been prevented with shoes that fit properly during the preschool years. Use these tips for choosing baby's first shoes to set your child on the right path. The shoes you give him today will be an invaluable gift that will last for a lifetime of healthy feet!
DID YOU KNOW...?
Only a small percentage of the population is born with foot problems. It's neglect and a lack of awareness of proper care-specifically ill fitting shoes in the early stages of growth and development-that bring on foot, leg and back problems later in life. According to US government studies, 2/3 of all adults have problems with their feet by the time they meet middle age and 89% of the problems could have been prevented by shoes that were not too tight during preschool years.
The following facts and tips will help any concerned parent make the right choices about family foot care and adhering to them will be a real investment for your child's future.
- A baby's foot is not merely a smaller version of an adult's foot. At birth the foot contains 26 partially developed bones (made of cartilage) making them pliable and therefore at risk to injury.
- Pre-walking babies and crawlers only need booties to keep their feet warm or pre-walking shoes that do not bind their feet.
- For newborns and infants, footwear should be made of very lightweight and breathable materials.
- It is natural for babies to have flat feet (over 97% do). That is because there is a thick pad of fat in the soles of their feet. Once muscles begin to strengthen, arches will develop.
- 85% of young children ages 6 months to 3 years have wide feet.
- Baby feet grow quickly during the first year, perhaps going through three or four sizes. Feet should be measured monthly the first year, every two months between the ages of 12 months and 24 months, and every 3 months from 24 to 36 months.
- Baby feet exert a lot of energy, especially when standing and balancing. This causes the feet to get hot. Baby feet can sweat twice the amount of adult feet (up to half a pint of moisture can be produced each day), so shoes made of natural, breathable materials are crucial.
- Medical experts (including the American Podiatric Association) recommend flexible, soft-sole shoes for optimal growth and development of young feet. Traditional stiff, high-top, hard-sole shoes are actually detrimental to the growth and development of little feet.
- Many children's shoes are too small, but unfortuntely the children wearing them can't or don't tell us. Be sure to have ¼" to ½" from the longest toe to the shoe (when standing) when purchasing shoes. Also make sure they have sufficient width.
Before You Buy Baby's First Shoes
Your baby is walking! Now is the time to shop for some baby walking shoes. Before you buy, though, check out these tips to be sure you get a pair of baby shoes that will help, not hinder, your baby's walking experience.
When Should I Buy Shoes for Baby?
If your baby is starting to take a few steps, it's time. Many parents prefer to let their children walk without shoes, which is fine. A good amount of barefoot time can be helpful to new walkers, who need to figure out how their feet work before having shoes on all day. There are times, though, when it's dangerous or just plain gross for baby to go barefoot, so all babies need a pair of shoes to protect those sweet little feet from harm.
What Kind of Baby Shoes Should I Buy?
Baby shoes should be soft and flexible so that baby can use his or her feet properly for balance. The bottom should be non-slip and should have plenty of traction, but steer clear of extra-thick soles that might trip baby up. High-top baby shoes aren't necessary for ankle support, but if you do choose high-tops, be sure baby can still wiggle his or her ankles or it may be hard for baby to walk very well. Look for shoes in a breathable material so baby's feet stay cool and comfy.
How Should Baby Shoes Fit?
Babies should not have to break in their shoes. After your baby has toddled around the store in the new shoes for a while, take the shoes off and check baby's feet for any signs of chafing or pinching. If the shoes rub or seem to make walking difficult, find another pair. You should be able to put your pinky finger in between the heel of the shoe and the baby's foot, and there should be about a thumb-width between baby's toes and the end of the shoe.
Laces or Velcro?
Laces do need to be re-tied a lot, which may send parents in search of Velcro baby shoes. It's a matter of personal choice. Lace-up shoes are harder for babies to take off. Velcro is easier to figure out for the young mind, so be prepared for baby to learn to remove Velcro shoes fairly quickly. Try tying the shoe laces a few times in the store. You'll be tying and re-tying these shoes a lot, so be sure the laces are long enough and easy to work with. If you choose a slip-on shoe for baby, put the shoe on a few times in the store to be sure it slips on easily for dressing but doesn't fall off when baby walks.
When Should I Shop?
Just like adults, babies' feet can sometimes swell towards the end of a hard day. Shopping for baby's walking shoes later in the day will ensure the shoes are not too tight when baby's tootsies are tired. Plan your shopping trip for after a nap or at a time when your baby is normally in a good mood. Getting a cranky, tired baby to walk around and model shoes won't make for a pleasant trip.
How Often Should I Buy Shoes?
Check the fit of your baby's shoes at least once a month. All babies grow at different rates, but you can expect to buy shoes in bigger sizes at least every three to six months. Some babies, like my daughter, will require bigger shoes almost monthly. Check for signs of wear on the shoes and be ready to replace them if the bottoms crack or if there are holes in top or sides. Babies and toddlers will find plenty of things to trip over, so be sure their shoes aren't part of the problem!
Medical experts agree: soft sole shoes are without a doubt the best choice for children's feet. They allow their feet to grow naturally and develop muscles and strength. Flexible soles enable a child to walk naturally; their little toes actually "grip" the floor surface, improving their balance and enhancing foot and muscle development. Our parents were brought up on the idea that babies learning to walk needed stiff, high-top leather shoes with hard leather soles for support. The reality is that babies' ankles are strong and quite stable on their own.
Babies' feet are best protected in lightweight, flexible footwear made of durable, breathable materials such as leather, suede, sheepskin, Ultrasuede, etc. Going barefoot is a healthy activity for children under the right conditions. But, if you are like most moms and dads, you prefer some sort of protection from little bumps or toys on the floor...those things that can stub little toes and cause calluses to form. Therefore, soft-sole shoes offer the needed protection while still enabling children to walk naturally
Pediatricians and Podiatrists Recommend:
Flexible soles. The sole of the shoe should be thick enough for protection while allowing the foot to move as naturally as possible. As a test for a shoe you're thinking about buying, bend the shoe at the ball. It should bend very easily.
Non-SlipSoles. Traction is important, too, especially on hardwood and tile floors. Check the texture of the sole to make sure it provides adequate traction. High-grade flexible leather, cowhide (not pigskin) suede, Toughtek® or thin rubber are best.
Deep, wide toe box. Young toes are chubby and need plenty of room to wiggle. A tight toe box should be avoided because it squeezes the toes together; this can cause bunions and other deformities.
Soft, breathable uppers. Leather, suede & sheepskin are ideal. Avoid plastic, imitation leather, or other materials that can cause excessive sweating.
