A Guide to Baby Shoes

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

08 Oct 2008 02:46 PM

Over the weekend, I stopped by a baby store looking for a Melissa & Doug wooden play food set for a Christmas gift. Although the store didn't have what I wanted, I noticed that there was a woman in the store who was pregnant and already shopping for baby shoes. The baby wasn't here, obviously, but this new mom wanted to be prepared.

There is good reason, however, for holding off on buying baby shoes for an infant, and even for a crawler or new walker. Here is why.

Babies have feet that grow quickly. You may wind up spending a lot of money for shoes that they either don't wear or only fit for a few weeks.

Bare or feet covered only with socks will make it easier for a baby to learn to walk. Contrary to popular belief, shoes can hinder rather than help a baby walk. Our mothers might have thought that good ankle support in a shoe would aid babies in walking sooner, but in fact, shoes can prevent a baby from walking easily. Doctors know that your baby will learn to walk sooner and better if he can walk barefoot. It helps develop the muscles and his sense of balance.

Most babies have really fat feet and some have wide feet with high arches. This can make fitting those cute baby shoes pretty impossible.

Babies tend to curl their toes when you put their feet into shoes. This is normal, but it can make putting on shoes a bit of an adventure.

Shoes can be helpful once a baby walks well by herself without support. Around the house, continue to let her walk without shoes. First shoes should have soft soles that will allow your baby to feel the ground and grip surfaces as needed. Obviously, you want to avoid any hazards and obstacles on the ground, such as pebbles and sticks, when your baby is starting to walk.

Get your baby fitted for his first pair of shoes. Don't rely on general age and weight to determine size. Baby feet can come in a wide range of shapes. Try to fit your baby with different brands of shoes.

Click here for more articles by Mary Ann Romans.

Halloween Costume Tips

This Little Piggy Went to Market - A Guide to Buying Baby Shoes

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger