Plenty of us take footwear for granted, but when it comes to outfitting babies, it’s important to know what design features to look for when browsing shoe racks filled with shoes for tiny feet. Because the muscles in Baby’s feet are still growing and gaining strength, you’ll want to settle upon non-constrictive shoes that offer them plenty of support, if you go for shoes at all. Before Baby starts walking their feet won’t need much protection, so shoes are really only important for looks or for keeping their little toes warm. The next time the two of you head to the store, consider these three footwear factors.
Comfort
The operative word here is “soft.” Baby’s first shoes should have extra-plush soles and flexibility throughout. If the shoe doesn’t bend easily in all directions, it’ll need to be broken in, and Baby can probably stand to wait to start figuring out how to break shoes in until their first pair of hiking boots or Birkenstocks.
Ventilation
Baby may be spending a lot of time in these shoes. And what eventually happens to active feet? They sweat, and smell! Breathable shoes will allow Baby’s feet to air out while they wear them. As an added bonus, breathable material tends to run more flexible.
Longevity
The average newborn triples their birth weight by their 1-year birthday. This means that they tend to grow a lot in all directions, including in length. Keep this in mind when you’re picking out Baby’s debut pair of shoes, since you’ll want to leave a little extra space for their feet to expand. An adult thumb-width between the tip of the shoe and Baby’s big toe is ideal. This will make the shoe last longer and decrease your chances of picking out footwear that will pinch or fit a little too snugly.
The bottom line
Although it may look cute to strap on a pair of non-functional Baby Jordans or LL Bean boots, Baby doesn’t really need shoes until they start walking around outside. Even inside walking is best learned without shoes, so you really need not worry about shoes until Baby starts motoring around a bit more.
