It seems to happen overnight when baby goes from crawling to moving faster than you can keep up with him. If you are wondering when to buy the first pair of shoes for your baby, it is when she takes her first steps. Many parents have soft shoes they use for baby before they are walking independently, but when a baby starts to walk on their own, it is important to buy a pair of hard-soled shoes to protect his feet and to make it easier for him to walk. It is a good idea to allow your baby a fair amount of time to walk barefoot around the house or in a safe environment where you can monitor. The barefoot time helps baby get a sense of balance and used to the idea that his feet were made for walking.
What to Look for
There are many different styles of baby shoes available, but whatever style you choose, look for a pair that is soft and flexible that will allow your baby to use her feet properly and not disrupt balance. Purchase a shoe with a non-slip bottom that gives good traction, but not a shoe that has extra-thick soles because it might pose a danger by causing your baby to trip. Some parents like to buy the high-top shoes for added ankle support, but if you buy this type make sure they aren't too constrictive. Your baby should be able to move her ankle or it might be hard for her to walk. Buy a high quality shoe that is made of breathable material so baby's feet stay cool and comfy and choose a shoe that will conform to your baby's foot as it stretches. Your baby will be growing fast, so you want to have her shoe size checked monthly to make sure her shoes are fitting properly. When you buy new shoes, have the baby walk for a little while in the store before you purchase them and check your baby's feet to see if the shoes left any pinch marks or rubbing marks. Baby shoes should fit at the time of purchase, so don't buy a bigger pair that baby will grow into. A rule of thumb is that you should be able to put your little finger in between the heel of the shoe and the baby's foot and there should be about a thumb-width between the baby's toes and the end of the shoe.
Common Pitfalls
Baby shoes can be expensive, especially since your baby may be growing rapidly. Your baby should have a comfortable, safe pair of shoes but you may have to purchase another pair within one to three months that are equally expensive. If you have more than one child you might be able to use a pair that was purchased for your older child, but check for fit as every baby's foot has slight differences. Baby's feet and ankles tend to swell toward the end of the day, so you'll want to give them some down time from wearing their shoes. You also need to have them wear the shoes enough time each day to get used to wearing shoes, as some babies just don't like to wear shoes. There are so many different brands available, and some styles are trendy, so don't fall into the trap of buying style over comfort. Of course you want your baby to look cute, but think of safety and comfort first. Buying a flexible shoe is important, but be careful not to buy one that is so flexible that it doesn't offer proper support. You can choose lace-up (which means you be doing a lot of tying) or Velcro. Babies learn to pull off their shoes either way, but Velcro shoes are easier for them to remove. The most important concern is that you ensure the shoes are a proper fit.
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