Best Shoes for Your Baby and Toddler

Parents, especially the new ones, have a hard time getting the best shoes for their baby and toddler. Even when they find shoes for their little one, they end up purchasing the wrong shoes, forgetting the fact that the right size of shoes is essential for the development of their feet.

 

If you want to avoid making the same mistake, then this blog is just for you. We will discuss the primary factors that you need to keep in mind, the right kind of shoes, and when babies should start wearing them to make sure your baby does not feel annoyed in those baby shoes or other kinds of footwear and remains comfortable and cheerful throughout the day.

 

When Should Babies Start Wearing Shoes?

First, let us begin with when babies should start wearing shoes. In the initial years, the baby goes through three stages; hence, the shoes should only be based on that. They are as follows:

 

Newborns and Crawlers

When your baby is newly born, they will be either sleeping, or you will be carrying them in your arms, so no shoes will be needed. The same formula is applicable to their crawling phase as well. Experts say that they should be left barefooted to roam around and feel the sand, grass, or plain surface as a part of their foot and sensory perception development.

 

According to Community Early Learning Australia’s Libby Bridge, an Outdoor Educator at The Rumpus Room Chatham Street, children tend to receive a lot of sensory input and awareness of balancing through their bare feet. Therefore, they should be allowed to explore their surroundings.

 

First Steps

Then come the first steps. As first-time parents, you will be immensely delighted to see your little princess or handsome guy taking their first steps. This is the point at which you will need to start buying shoes for your baby. How will you do this? You can opt for shoes designed with soft soles to keep those tiny, sensitive feet safe from rough surfaces.

 

Toddlers

When your baby hits toddlerhood, then you will observe that they have become more active. You won’t be able to stop them from discovering uneven surfaces. Therefore it will be time to purchase shoes that have a sturdy structure and soles that are flexible enough to support their growing feet. So, even if they go out to play, the shoe keeps their feet safe from blisters and rashes.

 

What Are The Primary Factors To Remember When Selecting Shoes?

We are sure you must be super eager to learn about the primary factors that need to be kept in mind while you are out for shoe shopping. The factors are as follows:

 

Flexibility

Oh yes, flexibility tops the list when it comes to selecting the best shoes for your baby and toddler. You need to look into the following things:

 

Soft Soles: Search for shoes that are specifically designed with flexible soles. Why? Such soles allow your little one’s feet to move around naturally. Otherwise, the rigid versions interfere with their foot development, and whenever your baby and toddler wear them, they will only feel annoyed.

 

Bendy Test: You must be wondering how to confirm whether the shoe is flexible. The technique is none other than the bendy test. You need to bend the shoe. If you can do that easily, then that is a green signal, but if not, you need to switch to another shoe and apply the same thing. The bend must imitate the natural flex of the foot.

 

Fit

Next in line is the shoe’s fitting. The shoe for your baby must have the following elements:

 

Room to Grow: While buying toddler shoes, carefully check the accessory, as it should consist of plenty of room for the baby’s toes to spread and wiggle around. Keep in mind the width of space of the thumb between the longest toe and where the shoe ends is ideal.

 

Secure Fit: The heel of the shoe usually troubles the baby; hence, it should allow the baby’s feet to fit in without slipping off and offer stability.

 

Regular Check-ups: When your child will grow bigger, their feet size will also change. Therefore, check their foot size on a regular basis so you don’t buy based on their previous number.

 

Material

Material plays a pivotal role in keeping your baby’s feet comfortable and mood happy throughout the day. You need to do the following for your toddler:

 

Breathable Materials: While searching for shoes in the toddler section, make sure that you lay your hands on shoes made out of breathable materials. These can be in the shape of mesh or leather to prevent their feet from getting all sweaty, leaving blisters that may hinder their playtime.

 

Don’t Proceed With Tight Laces: Don’t proceed with tight laces as they disturb the blood flow, making your baby’s foot go numb, which will further cause discomfort. Therefore, go for the lighter ones so your child does not complain about foot aches.

 

Arch Support

When your child is a baby or toddler in the early stages, you don’t need to search for shoes with arch support. Because their feet are still in the developing phase, arch support can disturb natural foot development.

 

Avoid High Heels and Boots

We can understand your excitement about getting the ideal shoes for your baby and toddler, but it is recommended that you avoid boots and high heels. Why? High heels can negatively impact the joints and muscles by putting unnecessary stress on them. While the latter shoe option does look cute, it can again prove to be a limitation, especially in the case of active toddlers. However, if you still want to get a pair for your little family member, then pick ankle-high ones consisting of flexible soles.

 

What Are The Best Shoe Types For Baby and Toddlers?

Now comes the most interesting part of the entire blog. Relax. We will guide you through the best shoe types for babies and toddlers. They are as follows:

 

Soft-Soled Shoes

Has your baby surprised you with their first steps? Then you must purchase baby walking shoes. For instance, you can invest in Floral Pattern Glitter Pre-Walking Shoes. These are manufactured out of local materials sold by suppliers who meet ethical standards. Furthermore, these shoes are soft and breathable, have a comfortable lining, and have a durable outer sole. These shoes are perfect to wear in summer or spring weather to enjoy parties, family events, and photoshoots. Another option is the Fashionable Solid Flyknit Athletic Shoes, which take full marks in durability and prevent your toddler from slipping. They are crafted from imported materials, so you need not worry about their quality. Make your child wear them in any season or at any casual event.

Flexible Sneakers

You will be super happy to see your toddler actively participating in their age-related activities. To promote their playfulness, you need to get toddler sneakers. For instance, you can buy Casual Breathable Sports Shoes that are super durable and breathable, and made from imported materials like rubber. Apart from that, they are pretty stylish, so your baby can wear them during casual activities regardless of the season. Another option that can impress you is the Sporty Stiched Fabric Sports Shoes. These shoes are made out of synthetic leather, which offers exceptional comfort and longevity. One of the good parts is these are versatile, so your toddler can wear them at a park or during school activities as well.

 

Sandals

Now, in warmer months, you will prefer making your toddler and baby wear toddler sandals. Therefore, you can make the most out of the Sweet Hyper Tactile Floral Velcro Sandals. The footwear is bound to startle you with its stylish and comfortable design. The shoe is made of premium-quality PU material, making it ideal for your toddler to wear at any event. It demands minimum maintenance. Besides, even the Criss Cross Vamp Sandals can grab your attention as well. These feature a Velcro design to put on easily, and they offer extreme comfort with durability and anti-skidding properties so your child does not slip while playing. They can wear them at the beach or for other outdoor activities.

 

Boots

Cold weather demands for boots to keep your feet covered. Therefore, you can purchase winter boots such as Kids Basic Solid Color Buckle Decor Snow Boots. These boots offer your toddler a combination of practicality, style, and comfort. They are designed with a durable zipper for easy wearing, are water-proof in nature, and are created out of high-quality materials such as artificial plush, rubber, and premium-quality PU. The boots can keep your toddler’s feet warm throughout the day and are suitable for cold outdoor sports or other activities. You can also purchase the Pompom Decor Fleece Snowboots. The shoes carry the potential to leave you amazed through it’s features. These boots are made out of artificial plush, frosted cow suede, and rubber that take the lead in offering the utmost comfort, durability, and warmth to your toddler. Plus, they can be ideal for casual outings on chilly days.

 

Conclusion

Selecting the best shoes for your baby and toddler is not rocket science. Just keep the above-mentioned factors in mind while shoe shopping, and you will be good to go. Furthermore, you can get the suggested shoes from PatPat as well, which will not let you down in terms of quality, pricing, and durability.