Choosing shoes for toddlers
There's no need to put your baby into shoes until he's walking. The bones in your baby's feet are soft and pliable - so pliable that even the pressure of tightly fitting socks can misshape the toes if your baby wears them regularly. When it's very cold, or when he starts to crawl, you can put on socks or cotton baby “boots”, but do make sure that there's plenty of room for his feet to move about.
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When buying shoes go to a reputable shoe shop and make sure the assistant has been trained to measure and fit children's shoes. She should always measure the foot for width and length before bringing any shoes for your child to try on. Once the shoes are on she should press the joints of the foot to check that the foot's not restricted in any way and check that the buckle or laces hold it firmly in place and don't let it slip about. Ask your child to move about in the shoes to check that the toe doesn't crease up and hurt when he's walking and to double-check that there's no slipping.
The type of shoe that you buy will be determined by when and where it is to be worn. Your child will need a sturdy, well-made pair of leather shoes once he is running about and playing outdoors, and some Wellington boots for wet weather. In summer, leather sandals, canvas shoes or trainers are fine as long as they fit properly. What you should never do is buy second-hand shoes. Good shoes are an essential means of ensuring that your child has good feet in adult life.
New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard
Posted 03.11.2010
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