Shoe-shopping for your baby’s teeny weeny feet can be an exciting experience. There are so many styles, patterns, and colors you can pick from these days. However, your primary focus should be on getting the fit right and ensuring that the pair offers ample support and comfort. This means you need to know how to measure an infant’s shoe size. While the process is not too hard, accuracy is the key to finding shoes that promote your child’s development and enhance their balance, coordination, and posture.  

Keep reading to find out how to take measurements before buying baby girl or baby boy shoes. This write-up covers other helpful tips as well.

How to Measure an Infant’s Shoe Size?

Here are some simple steps to follow to measure your munchkin’s feet:

• Get your child to stand barefoot on a large and blank piece of paper (ideally white).
• Make sure they are putting their entire weight on those adorable tootsies and not curling their toes.
• Then use a measuring tape or ruler to assess the distance between the back of the heel and the tip of the longest toe for both feet.
• Mark it on the paper for future reference.
• Or you can use a pencil to trace the outline of the feet first, ask the little one to step aside, and then measure the tracing.

Ideally, get the measurements in both cm and inches, as different brands use different units in their sizing guides. Remember to add about half an inch or 1.3 cm to the measurements you have taken before zeroing in on the corresponding shoe size. This will allow adequate room for your child’s feet to grow.

At Jack & Lily, sizes for T-straps, boots, and sneakers start from 0-6 months, for baby feet measuring 3.75 inches or 9.5 cm in length. Canvas kicks and slip-ons are available for children between 6 and 12 months and above, and the smallest size is 4. It corresponds to 4.5 inches or 11.5 cm.  

Other Factors to Consider Before Buying Baby Shoes

While you now know how to measure an infant’s shoe size, it is not enough to get your hands on a pair that is comfortable, protective, and supportive enough. You must consider the following as well:

• Buy for the Bigger Foot: Baby feet aren’t exactly the same in size, whether you consider the length or the width. So, choose a pair that is right for the bigger foot, otherwise it will be too tight and uncomfortable.
• Check If the Toes Have Enough Room: Go for shoes with a wide and spacious toe box, so your infant’s feet can grow easily. Stay away from pointy or tapered shoes even if they seem fashionable. Make sure there is a gap of 1.3 to 1.5 cm between the longest toe tip and the shoe’s front.
• Opt for Flexible Shoes: The shoes should match your child’s natural movements, and hence, should be flexible enough. Ideally, you should be able to bend them almost halfway.
• Examine the Backs of Heels: Sufficiently firm backs are essential so your infant gets the support they need to grow strong heels and ankles. Pinch the back of the heels to see if they collapse or stay solid. If they don’t give in at all, the shoes are too rigid. And if they collapse completely, they are too soft.
• Choose Anti-Skid Outer Soles: Whether you are picking up baby girl or baby boy shoes, make sure the outer soles are made of top-grade rubber and offer ample traction or grip on smooth or wet surfaces. This will prevent accidental slips and injuries, especially during monsoons.
• Shoes Should Not be Too Tight or Loose: While shopping for infant shoes, make sure there is a bit of space around toes, heels, and the sides. However, the pair shouldn’t be extra tight or loose. If you see the shoes digging into your baby’s skin or they seem to be wincing while walking, the pair is too tight and can cause blisters, calluses, pain, and redness down the line. If your child seems to be dragging their feet around, the shoes are too loose.
• Avoid Heavy Shoes: Lightweight shoes will allow your infant to move around comfortably without feeling encumbered. Heavy ones can not only cause pain but also interfere with development.
• Pick Shoes with Closures: Since your infant’s feet are likely to change over time, it is advisable to shop for shoes that can be adjusted to achieve the best fit. You can go for pairs with buttons, Velcro straps, or laces for that. In fact, with Velcro straps or buttons, your baby will soon learn to put on and take off their shoes on their own.
• Avoid Trying on the Shoes in the Morning: Feet usually swell and grow bigger over the day after your child has been active for hours. So, to truly judge the fit of a pair, get your child to try them on later in the day instead of in the morning.
• Pick Shoes that Fit Well Right Away: If a pair of shoes doesn’t fit your infant’s feet right the first time, return them. Your child shouldn’t have to walk around uncomfortably, waiting to break into the shoes. It can hamper their growth and development.

Make an Informed Decision When Buying Infant Shoes

By now, you know how to measure an infant’s shoe size and also the things to be mindful of when selecting a pair. You can also consult a podiatrist to be doubly sure of the shoe size and get suggestions on the best type of footwear for your child. Remember that every child is different and can have different needs. Also make sure the materials used are durable yet breathable and cozy while shoe-shopping. Most importantly, avoid making decisions based solely on the price, since quality is of utmost importance when it comes to infant shoes.

Can’t wait to get started? Go online and explore the adorable collection available from Jack & Lily. If you feel you need more guidance or advice, feel free to get in touch with the professionals here.

Has your little one stepped into the second year of their exciting life on this planet? Then they must be toddling around in a curious mood and exploring everything around them, on those adorable little feet! And that means they need comfy, supportive, and protective shoes. But what size do 2 year olds wear in shoes? Well, it can vary from one brand to another. This means, you first need to take accurate measurements of their feet and then check brand-specific sizing guides to select the size that matches the length of those tootsies in inches or cm.

Read on to know how to measure your child’s feet and what other things to keep in mind before choosing shoes that promote proper growth and development.

How to Measure Your Little One’s Feet

You can simply take a large and white sheet of paper and ask your munchkin to stand on it straight before tracing the outline of their feet with a pencil. This way, you can fix mistakes even if the line goes awry. Then measure the length of the tracing with a measuring tape and jot down the numbers in inches and cm both. Another option is to take your child to a podiatrist as they will have the right equipment to take precise measurements. Remember to add around 1.3 cm or half an inch to the actual length of the feet before buying kids’ shoes, as those cute tootsies need room to grow.

Then consult the sizing chart of the footwear brand you like and see which size corresponds to the length of your child’s feet. Wondering what size do 2 year olds wear in shoes when it comes to the Jack & Lily range? The ideal size is 5.5 in canvas kicks or slip-ons. It complements the age range of 1.5 to 2.5 years and foot length of 12.5 cm or 4.9 inches. In case of T-straps, boots, or sneakers, you will find the size mentioned as the age range. So, you can go for 18-24 months or 24-30 months.

Things to Consider Before Buying the Perfect Kids’ Shoes

Knowing what size do 2 year olds wear in shoes is not enough to pick the right pair. You must also take the following pointers into account, so your child can move around easily, happily, and safely.  

• Buy with the Bigger Foot in Mind: Kids’ feet aren’t exactly the same in size, which means one is likely to be slightly bigger than the other. So, make sure the pair you purchase fits the bigger foot comfortably.
• Don’t Go Too Tight or Too Loose: The best way to ensure the shoes aren’t too tight or loose is to ask your child to put them on and walk around. If they are wincing with each step or the shoes are digging into their skin, they are extra tight. If they are dragging along their feet or seem scared of tripping, the shoes are too big.
• Ensure Ample Flexibility: Kids’ shoes should support their natural movement, so that those cute feet grow like they are meant to. So, try bending the pair to test their flexibility. If they bend almost halfway, they are flexible enough.
• Check for Space around Toes: Buy shoes that have a wide toe box and are not pointy or tapered towards the front. There should also be a gap of around 1.5 cm between the front of the shoe and your baby’s longest toe. This will allow your munchkin to wiggle those tiny toes and grow smoothly.
• Test the Backs of Shoes: Ideally, the back of the heels shouldn’t be too hard or soft. The right amount of firmness is necessary for your child’s ankles and heels to develop and become strong. To test the same, pinch the back of the shoes. If it doesn’t give in at all, the backs are too tough. If it collapses completely, the backs are too soft. Go for a pair where the backs don’t completely lose form but give in just a little.   
• Examine the Safety of Outer Soles: Kids’ shoes should ideally have outer soles that are firm and provide adequate friction. This will prevent accidents from slipping or skidding on wet streets or extra smooth surfaces.
• Avoid Heavy Shoes: Moving around in a heavy pair can be painful and uncomfortable for your little one, even if the size is right. So, select lightweight shoes that allow them to walk, hop, and run freely.
• Pick Shoes with Closures: Your baby’s feet will change constantly over the coming days, so it’s best to go for shoes that can be adjusted accordingly. Consider pairs that feature laces, buttons, or Velcro straps for this. Such shoes can also teach your child independence as they learn to take off the pair and put them back on without your help.
• Don’t Trust Morning Try-Outs: Your child’s feet usually swell later in the day after they have been active for hours. So, don’t let them try on the new shoes in the morning. It should be done later in the day, so you know for sure if the fit is perfect.
• Settle for Shoes that Fit Right Away: Kids’ shoes that don’t fit right the first time should be returned. Don’t wait for your child to break into them gradually over days or weeks, as it can be super uncomfortable, painful, and harm development.

Start Shopping for the Right Shoes for Your 2 Year Old

Now that you know what size do 2 year olds wear in shoes and how to ensure the perfect fit, go online and start shopping. You can also visit a podiatrist first, so they can recommend which styles might be apt for the proper development of your child’s feet. And remember that while it is easy to lose yourself in the vast array of colors and patterns available in kids’ shoes, your primary focus should be on support, functionality, comfort, and durability.

So, are you ready to explore adorable options for your toddler now? Take a look at what Jack & Lily has to offer. If you need specific guidance or advice, feel free to contact the professionals here too.