The Best Baby Shoes for Newborns
When you have your first baby it comes with all the excitement you could imagine. There will be all the family and your friends wanting to coo over him or her. You may not have chosen a name yet and that is a big step. Then there are so many other life adjustments to make and you need to learn how to care for your newborn with no instruction manual.
Of course, there are the basic practicalities to think of also. Nappies, feeding, managing your job or existing family around your new arrival, and of course clothing.
Your family may buy you blankets and romper suits and woolly hats but some items need some advice. When you are contemplating baby shoes what is the best advice? Are there certain materials or styles that are best or is there something else you should know?
Should babies wear shoes?
The reply to this question is both yes, and no. It is something that has been debated for decades but there is a definite consensus between experts such as pediatricians and indeed podiatrists that babies should not wear shoes too early.
The reasons why babies shouldn’t wear shoes too early
Adults have 26 bones and 30 joints in their feet which developed while they were children. The general structure of your foot developed during the first two years of life but the bones did not develop completely until you reached your early teens.
This is the reason podiatrists try to exhort the importance of good children’s shoes. Your feet take a long time to fully develop and harden. Everyone knows how quickly children grow and babies, in particular, seem to grow out of clothes rapidly. It is the same for their feet. During the first three years of their lives, they can go through 9 different shoe sizes. The most rapid growth appears in the first year with around 5 sizes. This will be followed by around 2 sizes a year until they are 3 years old.
Babies’ feet are full of soft cartilage and undeveloped. Shoes can restrict their growth and damage them. It isn’t only this that is the problem though.
How do babies use their feet?
Babies are very responsive to touch and the feet play an important part in their development. When their bare feet touch the floor, signals are sent to the brain. This is why babies will hold their heads up while walking. Shoes can stop this important feedback and babies tend to lower their heads to look at their feet when they are covered. Nature fully intended babies to have bare feet to aid their growth and development including learning how to walk.
When should babies wear shoes?
After learning how and why you shouldn’t put shoes on your baby you will now see that sometimes you should do the opposite. Realistically there are times when your baby’s feet need some sort of covering. If the surface area they are on is rough such as gravel or when the weather is cold. Humans lose most of their heat from the top of the head and the soles of the feet so keeping your little one warm and comfortable is obviously a priority.
As long as you understand that rigid shoes with hard soles, high sides, etc. It Will not help your child and can restrict development then you can consider what your other options are.
What shoes are good for babies?
Soft socks are good for keeping your child’s feet warm. You can get these with a grip on the bottom. Babies shoes with soft soles are good for cold weather and baby moccasins will keep your little one warm and are nice and soft. The most important thing to consider is what they are wearing, not if they can or can’t wear shoes.
When your baby is discovering how to walk and they will try and explore. When this is in your living room and the floor surface is clean, safe, and warm then there is no problem and he or she should be left barefoot as much as possible. Your back garden with grass and no dangers involved should be ok too but that is for you to judge your own environment. When your baby is taken to a local park or playground though then it is time to protect those little feet.
What should you consider when buying baby shoes?
The fundamental thing you need to look for is flexibility. If you picked up a pair of adult shoes and could bend them in half or twist them all over the place you would probably not think too much of them but it is these exact qualities you want in baby shoes. You don’t want shoes to be too loose but they should definitely not be too rigid either. Rubber soles are good as opposed to hard ones. Once your baby gets into exploring mode and tries to climb and clamber over objects outside or in the park then rubber soles will help massively.
The thing about rigidity is that as an adult you will be aware that sometimes you need to ‘break-in’ shoes. For a baby that is impossible so you need flexibility and comfort. Also, look for natural materials. These are always better for feet and allow the skin to breathe and will avoid any other issues such as baby foot allergies like eczema.
Getting the correct shoe sizes for your baby
Because the bones have not developed or hardened your baby’s feet are soft and very flexible. Unlike other baby products you can buy, shoes can affect your baby’s foot health. If you have the wrong sized shoe they can damage and alter the shape of the foot. The first year is the biggest time for foot growth and development and the next two years after so you must allow room in the shoes for plenty of wiggle room.
If you wear badly fitting shoes you will end up with blisters, reduced circulation, and general soreness. It is exactly the same for your baby except they can’t tell you how they feel, although they might have an extremely good try. If you get shoes too big they can cause your baby to trip or cause blisters from rubbing. You need to allow about a thumb-width of room in the shoe but a podiatrist can help you choose the best-sized shoes correctly.
Take your baby to the podiatrist or your doctor every three months in their first years to measure their feet properly. They grow rapidly during these years and their feet need to be monitored closely to make sure any footwear fits properly. You may find you are buying new shoes often during the initial three years. Very often! Maybe a new pair every 3-6 months. After the age of 3 or 4, you will see a slow down in foot growth though.
Summary
Although it is preferred to keep your baby’s feet uncovered as much as possible there are obviously times and places where you need to protect them. When the weather is cold or they have started to walk and the surface area they are on is abrasive like concrete they need some baby shoes. Baby’s feet sweat more than adults so when you choose those shoes remember to look for natural materials and don’t forget softness and flexibility to help your toddler develop and grow naturally.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
