It is an amazing moment when you catch your little one taking those first wobbly steps, their face alive with curiosity and excitement. And this happens usually when your baby is between 9 and 18 months. Their chubby feet start exploring the world around them with unbridled enthusiasm. While you are super happy about it, you also wonder should babies wear shoes when learning to walk. Well, the answer is more than a simple yes or no. This is because while your child’s tootsies need to develop, grow stronger, and become stable and coordinated, they also need protection. So, read on to know whether shoes are right for them at this stage and what you need to consider before buying a pair.

Before You Buy Baby First Walking Shoes

When your munchkin starts walking for the first time, they need to feel the surface beneath their feet and get familiar with the texture, hardness, temperature, and ups and downs. This will not only strengthen their bones and muscles, but also improve their gait and instill coordination and balancing skills. Hence, it is better for babies to move around barefoot while indoors.

However, when outdoors, they are likely to be exposed to too cold or hot surfaces, dust and dirt, sharp objects, and rough edges. And that is when your little one will need baby walking shoes. The pair you pick must be comfortable, supportive, and flexible though. The shoes should enable the natural movement of your baby’s feet and not hamper proper growth and development.  

Before buying a pair, it is also a good idea to consult a pediatrician and podiatrist to find out what kind of shoes will be best for your tiny tot.

Tips to Buy the Right Pair of Walking Shoes

Now that you know the answer to ‘should babies wear shoes when learning to walk’, go through some important tips before zeroing in on an adorable pair.

• Get the Size Right: Baby shoe sizes vary across brands, so you need to check the size chart before making a decision. At Jack & Lily for instance, boots, sneakers, and T-straps come in sizes that correspond to the age range to help you decide quickly. And in case you want canvas kicks or slip-ons, a size 4 or 5 should do the trick. However, get your baby’s feet measured accurately beforehand, ideally by a podiatrist. Remember that extra tight shoes can hurt your little one’s feet, cause chafing, redness, blisters, or calluses. And if they are too loose, your munchkin might trip and fall.
• Consider the Bigger Foot: Generally, a baby’s feet are of two slightly different sizes. So, while choosing kids’ walking shoes, make sure the pair is suitable for the bigger foot.
• Ensure Ample Space for Toes: The shoes should have a wide toe box that allows your baby to wiggle their toes freely. Ensure a gap of 1 to 1.5 cm between the front of the shoe and the longest toe. Avoid pairs with tapered or pointed fronts as they can hamper the growth of your child’s feet.
• Check the Firmness of the Heel Cup: Choose shoes that offer the right amount of support to your little one’s heels and help them develop the correct gait and posture. So, pinch the back of the shoes and if it doesn’t move at all, the heel cups are too hard. On the other hand, if it collapses, the heel cups are too weak. Ideally, the heel cups should offer some resistance but be compressible.
• Assess the Flexibility of Soles: While the answer to should babies wear shoes when learning to walk is yes when outdoors, the pair must enable natural movement of the feet at all times. So, bend the shoes to check if they fold halfway. If so, their soles are highly flexible and will support the growth and development of your munchkin’s tootsies and instill essential motor skills.
• Choose a Safe Design: The shoes you pick must have thick enough soles that don’t allow hard or sharp objects to pierce through and hurt your baby’s feet. The outer soles must be of rubber and have adequate grooves to provide traction on smooth and slippery surfaces.
• Check the Weight: Opt for lightweight shoes that don’t burden those tiny feet when your child is busy exploring their surroundings. Heavy pairs can negatively impact growth too.
• Go for Healthy Materials: Materials like cotton, canvas, and soft leather are the best for toddler walking shoes. They are gentle, can bend and stretch easily, and are highly breathable. This means your baby’s feet won’t sweat and end up encouraging bacterial growth. They will also smell fresh and be kiss-ready round the clock.
• Consider Pull Loops and Velcro Straps: Those chubby little feet will change in shape as the days go by, which means you will need an adjustable pair for your baby. So, check for loops at the back of the shoes to help fit in your child’s heels easily. Consider designs with Velcro straps to loosen or tighten the fit as and when required. Laces are great options too as long as they are safe.
• Prioritize Quality Over Looks: When it comes to baby first walking shoes, always pay more attention to quality than looks. While these shoes come in a charming array of styles, colors, and patterns, durability, comfort, and support are of paramount importance. Plus, that way, the pair you pick will last long too.

Choose the Perfect Shoes for Your Baby’s First Steps

If you were wondering should babies wear shoes when learning to walk, your doubt must be gone by now. Moreover, you know what to keep in mind when picking a pair that is comfy, supportive, and safe, from size and materials to weight, soles, and more. Last but not the least, make your munchkin try on the shoes later in the day and not in the morning as their feet tend to swell over time with activity.   

So, are you all set to start shopping? Check out the incredibly cute collection of baby walking shoes offered by Jack & Lily. Before selecting a pair, remember to check the sizing guide. If you need suggestions or advice, you can contact the professionals here too.

Baby shoes are so tiny and adorable, right? Available in an exciting array of colors, patterns, and styles, they make you want to go on a no-holds-barred shopping spree. But when your tiny tot just starts walking, there are multiple factors to keep in mind before you buy the perfect pair for their tootsies. Size is especially a crucial one. But are you wondering what size shoes do babies wear when they start walking? Then you are in the right place. This handy guide covers how to measure your child’s feet right and what other things to consider when buying shoes that support growth and development, build coordination and balance skills, and are comfy too.    

Measuring Your Baby’s Feet for the First Pair

Babies usually take their first steps between 9 and 18 months. And depending on the footwear brand, they might need a size between 2 and 5. However, accurate measurements are necessary. Now, before buying baby first walking shoes, you might be tempted to just trace your little one’s feet on a piece of paper and measure the same to find the right size. This might not be precise though. So, take your child to a podiatrist for correct measurements of both feet.

Interested to know what size shoes do babies wear when they start walking and you are shopping from Jack & Lily’s collection? When it comes to slip-ons and canvas kicks, size 4 is ideal for children up to 12 months and corresponds to 11.5 cm or 4.5 inches. For babies between 12 and 18 months, size 5 is appropriate and corresponds to 12 cm or 4.7 inches. You can also check the sizing guide for more clarity. If you are shopping for T-straps, boots, or sneakers, sizes are mentioned in terms of age range.

Things to Consider Besides Shoe Size

While it is best for babies to walk barefoot till they are 2 years, this is safe when they are indoors. Outside, you need the right shoes to protect their gentle feet against dust, stones, sticks, sharp edges, and bumps. So, ensure the pair you pick is not just the right size, but also has the following features:

• Roomy Toe Box: The toe box needs to be wide and not pointy or tapered in kids’ walking shoes. Make sure there is a 1 to 1.5 cm gap between the longest toe and the front of the shoe, so that your child can wiggle those tiny toes easily. A spacious toe box will encourage the proper growth of those cute feet too.
• Supportive Heel Cup: The heel cup of those first walking shoes should be flexible yet adequately firm. This is because it will determine how your child positions their feet and develops the correct gait. So, pinch the shoe’s back to see if it is collapsing (too flimsy) or isn’t moving at all (too rigid). If the heel is somewhat compressible but offers resistance, it is just right.
• Flexible and Safe Soles: The best toddler first walking shoes come with flexible soles that allow natural movement and the development of those little bones and muscles. Usually, if you can bend the shoes halfway, they are apt for your child’s feet. Walking in such shoes can help your baby understand how the surface beneath feels and changes with every step. They will learn to balance and coordinate movements easily. At the same time, make sure the soles are thick enough so that sharp objects can’t injure your munchkin’s tootsies. They should be made of rubber and have a grooved design to prevent slips.
• Lightweight: Always go for lightweight shoes that motivate your child to walk around freely and explore their surroundings. You don’t want them to feel uncomfortable, weighed down, or be forced to drag their feet around.
• Healthy Materials: Baby shoes made of soft leather, canvas, or cloth bend and stretch with ease, enabling natural movement and instilling important motor skills. Plus, they allow your little one’s feet to breathe and stay fresh for hours. Stay away from synthetic or plastic shoes that make those cute feet sweaty in no time.
• Velcro Closures: Though you now have an idea about what size shoes do babies wear when they start walking, remember that the shape of their feet will change over time. Hence, opting for shoes with Velcro straps can be a good idea as they are easy to adjust and adapt to change quickly. Moreover, putting the shoes on or taking them off will be a breeze. Even your baby will learn how to do it themselves in no time. When it comes to the first pair, Velcro might be safer than laces, as in the latter case, your toddler might trip and fall if the laces come undone.
• Pull Loop: Simple loops in the back of your baby’s shoes can make it easy to get those chubby feet into the pair.
• Quality: Make sure the first walking shoes are of top-quality, so they are durable, comfortable, and supportive enough. Even if you have to shell out a bit more than expected, it will be worth it.

Also remember that since a baby’s feet are rarely of the same size, you must get shoes that are comfy and supportive enough for the bigger foot.

Make Your Baby’s First Steps Memorable with the Right Shoes

If you thought it is enough to know what size shoes do babies wear when they start walking, this guide must have changed your assumption for good. From soles, heel cups, and materials, to toe box, closures, and weight, there are many factors to be mindful of before buying a pair. Also note that while extra loose shoes can lead to accidents, extra tight ones can hurt your baby’s feet, cause calluses and blisters, and even impact development. So, take your time to decide in an informed manner.  

If you can’t wait to start shopping, explore the charming collection at Jack & Lily for both boys and girls, go through the sizing chart, and take your pick. You can also get in touch with the professionals here for more guidance.