As your baby starts to walk, you may consider covering his/her legs with booties or socks to protect the sensitive skin on his/her soles. But that doesn’t mean you can take him/her out everywhere with just a pair of socks to protect his/her feet. Chances are you may have to start hunting for baby shoes sooner or later. And when it comes to choosing the first baby shoe for your toddler, here are some essential pointers to keep in mind when you go shopping for one.
Choose according to Roominess
The shoes you choose for your baby should have enough room for his/her feet to move around freely. Restricted room space would be very uncomfortable, and would also hinder his/her muscle growth.
But that doesn’t mean you need to choose shoes that fall right off your baby’s feet. Just go for the basic thumb test. Press down your thumb on the front of the shoe and see if there is enough space in between his/her biggest toe and the front of the shoes. Also go for what is called a pinch test. Choose the widest portion of the shoe and try to grasp its material with your fingers. If you are able to do it, then the shoe has enough space to hold your baby’s feet, and can expand if the need for more room arises.
Choose according to Flexibility
Opt for baby shoes that come with super soft soles. You need to be able to twist and bend the soles in any direction you want. The soles should also be soft enough to let you feel your baby’s toes through theleather.
Choose according to Breathability
The shoes you choose for your baby need to be made from a breathable material like canvas, fabric or leather. These materials are extremely flexible as well and would provide the ultimate comfort for your baby’s feet. Don’t opt for plastic shoes that would restrict air movement inside, leading to excessive sweating and foot odor.
Choose according to Balance
Your baby’s shoes should be flat enough to provide proper balance as he/she walks. It would also be safe to opt for shoes that come with non-skid bottoms, even though you would be looking for a shoe that is not too thick inside.
Choose according to Ease of Use
Choosing between lace and Velcro straps is considered important for the comfort of your baby. While shoe laces are hard to remove and can possibly trip your baby (if untied by mistake), Velcro straps can be easily tied and removed. Then again, that would prove to be a problem if your baby figures out the way to remove these straps. In the case of lace shoes, you would need to opt for ones that contain long laces, preferably ones made of materials that don’t untie easily.