Choose The Right Shoes For Your Baby

If you are the proud parent of a little one, who has now upgraded from crawling to walking, then firstly accept our congratulations. Secondly, you have to buy shoes for your baby now, and you want to get the best option available for your little superstar. Well, we are going to tell you just that. Read on.

You have loved those cute and utterly adorable booties your baby was wearing till now, but now he has overgrown that, and with the first tentative baby steps, you know, the time has come for the first pair of proper shoes. However, keep in mind here, that doctors’ advice to let the baby walk barefoot inside the home, or if it is too cold, then in socks or soft baby shoes. This helps them coordinate their steps better- create a better balance while walking, and generally, get a hang of the whole walking procedure. But, when they have to walk outdoors, then you have to get them soft soled and comfortable shoes.

So, on to the buying the right shoe details. You have to keep a lot of things in mind when you set out for baby shoe shopping. So make a note of the pointers below.

Time To Shop: Unless you are doing it online, you have to pick a good time to take your baby to the shoe store. Ideal time is late afternoon-early evening, after they have had their nap, and are considerably fresh. The scientific reason behind this is that doctors believe that baby's feet will expand about 5 percent by the end of the day. So you will ensure a better fit.

Material of the Shoe- The shoe has to be soft. Remember that and you will not go wrong. It can be made of canvas, cloth, or soft leather. In some cases, you may go in for polyester too. But avoid it and other synthetic uppers as they cause feet to sweat. Sweat will make your baby uncomfortable, and may also lead to rashes in extreme cases.

Sole of the Shoe- Soles should be of rubber. That too a nonskid rubber sole- so that your baby does not slip too much-as it is they are not balanced in their steps, and if their shoe has a tendency to skid, then there may be more falls. Soles with ridges will offer good traction. The sole must be flexible and gripping, not smooth and stiff- so that your baby is fully comfortable. In case of any discomfort, they will either not wear them or kick them off, or worse, will not be able to tell you that they are in pain.

Designs of the Shoe- Do not buy tapered designs. Baby's feet are really broad at the toes, till they are about 3 years. So make sure that they are broad and open toes shoes.

How To Check the Fit- For this, try the shoe on with your baby standing on his feet, supporting his weight. Then, there should be enough space in the shoe, so that your thumb can fit between the end of the toe and the tip of the shoe, and your little finger should be able to squeeze between the heel and the shoe. This is necessary so that they do not feel bound by the shoe and have room to wriggle.

As a final tip, if you choose baby shoes with laces, then make sure that they are long enough for double knots. In case of Velcro fasteners, they are easier for you to manage, but, the baby will figure it out soon enough, and can take off the shoes anywhere at his own will-which can be a problem as well as a safety concern for the baby. Keep these tips in mind, and you and your baby will come home with the best shoe to aid them in the formative years.

The writer is a fashion consultant with Universal Textiles. He gives expert tips on buying baby wear.