Baby shoes come in many varieties. You can choose from different colors, designs, materials and so on. Here are the things to bear in mind when buying shoes for your little ones.
1. Even though your baby can’t walk yet, you need to buy shoes for your baby as soon as she has learned to pull up on her own. Standing and trying to walk with support is the next thing your baby attempts to do and it will be a matter of just a few weeks before your baby starts walking. So, you definitely should have your baby’s footwear ready when it’s needed.
2. You might also need to put shoes on your baby’s feet inside the house. For this, you need to make sure that the shoes you buy are not slippery. Also, ensure that the shoes you buy for your baby have a good sole, so that the baby doesn’t feel the cold floor.
3. When you shop for your baby’s shoes make sure that you select a shoe which is comfortable for your baby to wear and at the same time protects her feet from sharp objects. This is especially important for outdoor walking, as a proper pair of shoes will protect your baby’s feet from pebbles, wet ground and roads, mud, sand, dirt, and sharp objects.
4. The shoes should protect your baby’s feet but they should not be very bulky. The baby will not feel comfortable walking with heavy shoes. The shoes must be like a second skin. Walking with shoes on must feel like walking almost barefoot for the baby.
5. The material or fabric of the shoes is also another very important consideration for your baby’s first shoes. Try to go for airy, breathable material. Genuine leather is a good option as it is airy and lets the feet breathe. You can also go for canvas shoes which are lightweight and can also be washed and dried easily.
6. Select shoes that are easy for you to put on and take them off your baby’s feet, while at the same time ensure that your baby can’t take them off on her own. Shoes with Velcro or elastic shoes are a good choice. You could also go for shoes with laces, but make sure that you double knot the laces.
7. Always buy shoes one size bigger than the right size. Babies’ feet grow very fast and you would not want to have to throw a good pair of shoes if they have not been worn a lot. Keep a quarter of an inch of room in the shoes so that you are able to use the shoes for a longer period of time, at least for three to four months.
8. Observe how the baby walks in the new shoes. If she seems to have trouble walking, it may indicate that the baby is uncomfortable. Don’t assume that she will get used to the new shoes after some time. Buy a different pair of shoes instead.
9. Don’t hesitate to change your baby’s shoes every four or five months or even sooner, depending on how fast your baby’s feet grow. If your baby keeps wearing tight shoes, it will hamper her growth and may also lead to problems later in life. Keep track of when your baby needs new shoes.
1Lastly, another point to keep in mind when you buy your baby’s first shoes is that they need to look cute. You can select pink shoes for a baby girl with laces and flowers and blue shoes with buttons for a baby boy.
