Top Tips For Choosing Shoes For Your Baby

pink maryjane baby shoes

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Aren’t babies feet the cutest things? You would be hard pressed not to look at a baby’s tiny feet and beautiful toe nails and not think how cute they are. To be fair, every part of a baby is cute, but there’s something especially cute about their tiny hands and feet.pink maryjane baby shoesBaby shoes are also incredibly cute, no one can walk past them in a shop without wanting to pick them up and marvel at their tiny size. However, there are some shoes that are better than others for your baby to wear.Let’s have a look at some tips for picking the perfect pair of shoes for your baby.

Choose Shoes For Your Baby’s Age

Depending on how old your baby is, and what activities they are doing daily, you will need different types of shoes.If your baby is not yet walking, and you just want to protect their feet, then you will need light weight shoes that have a very soft sole. These shoes shouldn’t restrict their feet and allow a full range of movement.Then, as your baby starts walking and gradually gets more confident, you will need sturdier shoes with a gradually thicker sole that can hold up to running and walking on all surfaces.It’s vitally important to get their feet measured as they grow to ensure their shoes fit properly and aren’t constricting their growth.

Choose Lightweight And Flexible Shoes

When choosing shoes for your baby, you want to make sure they are light, as a baby will not be happy wearing heavy shoes, and will want to remove them.As well as lightweight, babies shoes should be flexible. A baby that isn’t walking has no need of a stiff, supportive shoe just yet, and will be very uncomfortable in them.Babies love to move their legs and toes around, and a restrictive shoe will make them very unhappy.Flexible, light shoes will also be much easier to put on to your baby’s feet. As you know, babies have limited patience when it comes to dressing them, so if the shoes you have chosen take a long time to put on, your baby will not be happy.Shoes with easy closing will make your life easier too, you don’t want to be struggling with complicated laces. Velcro or slip on shoes will be much quicker and easier for everyone concerned.There are many different brands and types of shoes which fit these requirements. Some sites sell the best baby moccasins for example, which are very comfortable.

Choose Your Budget Carefully

Money can be a stressful subject for everyone, but a baby can test your budget! It can therefore be tempting to buy the cheapest option, but this isn’t always the right way to go.Sometimes, not always, but sometimes, the cheapest option will not last. Baby shoes are bound to get dirty and soiled, so you need to be able to wash them without them falling apart.If you are having more children, or if your friends or family are having children, you may want to pass the shoes on to them, to save them some money in the long term.If you buy the cheapest shoes, and they don’t last very long, you will end up spending more money, so it can actually be more expensive than buying a slightly more expensive pair of shoes.

Get The Shoes Fitted Properly

It is very important to take your child to a shoe shop, and have their feet measured accurately for their shoes, and the salespeople will be able to help you pick some shoes.The fitter in the shoe shop will measure both the length and width of your baby’s feet, so the shoes will fit properly. Babies and children grow very quickly, so the shoes they will suggest to you will allow some room for growth.The shoes you choose should have the right sole for their age and activities, and it should also not stick out too far from the shoe, as this could cause them to trip and fall if the soles get caught on the ground.

Keep An Eye On Their Feet

When your baby starts wearing shoes, it is important that you make sure they are not rubbing or causing blisters.The same goes for children as well, their feet are growing so fast, you want to make sure that the shoes aren’t causing any issues.Check their feet regularly for any signs of blisters, or rubbing. It’s also important to check that their toenails aren’t too long which can be painful if they start to rub on the inside of the shoe.

Shoes Should Offer Support

Shoes are there to do a job, for a baby this is usually just covering their feet so they don’t get damaged when they are out and about, but as your child grows, they should do more than just cover their feet.Shoes should have soles that protect their feet whilst working, and also offer shock absorption when they are running and jumping.Ankles are also quite delicate, and need support from the top of the shoe, and this area should also be padded to stop any rubbing.Shoes should ideally be secured to the feet, so shoes like flip-flops and ballet flats which easily slip on and off are not ideal, as the wearer has to claw their toes to ensure the shoe stays in place.

Talk To A Doctor If You Are Concerned

If you are concerned in any way about the growth of your child’s feet, that they aren’t walking yet, or they are walking and their gait is slightly unusual, then it is always best to consult a doctor about any worries you may have.In all likelihood, it is nothing to be concerned about, however it is always best to get a professional’s opinion if you are in any way worried.If nothing else, they can put your mind at rest, but if there is an issue, the sooner it is raised, the sooner it can be sorted.