How to Buy Baby Shoes
There are plenty of baby shoes on the market. There are many styles to choose from, including sandals or sneakers, and hard-soled or soft-soled. Do babies need shoes for their younger years?
Shoes are not necessary for babies who can’t walk yet. Even then, shoes are not necessary for babies who aren’t walking yet.
Dr. Tracey Agnese, a pediatrician, mother, and supporter for new parents, was our interview subject. She shared her knowledge on the development of babies’ feet and suggested some things to consider when shopping for baby shoes.
What’s the best shoe/sock/bare foot for your child’s development?
To promote foot growth, socks or bare feet are best. 26 bones and 30 joints make up the human foot. There are more than 100 muscles and tendons. While the structure of the foot is complete by the age of two, the bones and joints in the feet don’t fully develop until the age 18-year-old. As babies’ feet grow and develop, it is best not to confine them in shoes.
Babies also have a fat pad at the arch of their foot that makes them appear to have flat feet. This is false. It is actually a natural arch support that has been built in so they don’t need additional arch support.
Is it possible to explain the difference between soft-soled and hard-soled shoes. Which is better for babies?
Soft-soled shoes can be lightweight and flexible. Hard-soled shoes can be heavy and rigid. Shoes that are too rigid for babies’ feet can restrict their growth and development. It is also more difficult to learn how to walk if the sole is too heavy.
Barefoot is the best way to teach a baby how to walk. Balance, coordination, and proprioception can be improved by allowing babies to feel the ground. This is a vital skill for learning how to walk. To have proprioception, your feet must be pressed against the ground. Baby’s ability to walk barefoot allows them to reach for the ground and grip it better, making them less likely to slip. Shoes are not necessary for children learning to walk. They can protect their feet from any damage, such as gravel, sharp objects, extreme heat or cold, and to keep them safe. For protection, hard soles can be worn for as little as possible if the outdoors is too hazardous for your feet.
Barefoot gives your baby the opportunity to develop balance and strength by using their own muscles. The strength of the shoe may limit the growth of muscles in the feet and ankles.
Is there a “best first shoe” that children can wear?
You can’t let your baby walk barefoot. Instead, you should choose a soft, flexible shoe that provides protection and allows for flexibility. To reduce slips and falls, you should also choose non-skid soles or skid-resistant soles.
For comfort, and to avoid ingrown toenails or other foot injuries, the right fit is essential. Because babies’ feet are so rapidly growing, you will need to purchase a new pair of shoes about every three months. Check that the shoes fit every month. Your child should have a snug fit at the heel, but not too tight. The top of their big toes should be about finger width from the edge of the shoe. Tight shoes are the best!
Shoes with ankle or arch support are not necessary for babies. Comfort is the best.
Do you recommend soft-soled “first” shoes for babies like Robeez, Freshly Picked, or Pediped?
If a baby is not walking, they don’t need shoes. They only need socks to keep their feet warm until they learn to walk.
Are there “training shoes” that can help babies learn to walk? Are you a fan?
For learning to walk, it is best to be barefoot. Barefoot is the best option for learning to walk. To help a baby learn how to walk, I don’t recommend wearing shoes.
What age should children begin to wear shoes?
After the child is able to walk comfortably and confidently without shoes, it’s okay to wear shoes outdoors, even hard-soled ones. This usually takes between 15-24 months. However, it varies for each child.
Additional Resource:
https://littleworld.store/collections/baby-shoes
https://www.pinterest.com/rags_co/baby-shoes/
https://www.amazon.in/Baby-Shoes/b?ie=UTF8&node=1953272031
