First shoes

Baby shoes are so cute that you might be tempted to buy them before you need them, but it’s important to remember that babies develop their balance, strength and coordination by walking barefoot. Putting shoes on them too early can affect that development. A good rule of thumb is to leave them barefoot in the house and only put shoes on them when they need them – e.g. walking around outside or at playgroups if you’re worried about what’s on the floor – and only when they’re quite confident on their feet. Shoes protect their feet from harm; their purpose is not to help your baby learn to walk.

Baby shoes should be flexible to move with their feet, so a good test of whether or not a shoe is suitable is to try bending it. If it doesn’t bend, or it’s difficult to bend, it’s a no go. You want a close-cropped rubber sole that provides good grip and doesn’t have any ‘excess’ that might make them trip over.

Material-wise, look for something breathable and light – leather is ideal. And in terms of shape, you want a rounded toe box that gives those tiny toes plenty of wiggle room. Velcro fastenings are more adjustable than a buckle, and if you go for shoes with two straps you have twice the opportunity to adjust them to fit your baby’s feet.

At this age, your little one will be growing rapidly, so you need a shoe that fits well enough to support them to walk confidently, but with growing room so you’re not buying shoes every week! The best way to do this is go into a shoe shop and have your baby’s feet measured by a professional. Look for a shop that specialises in children’s shoes to get a better experience. Baby’s shoes are measured in both length and width, so you’ll be given a size that is a number and a letter, e.g. 4G.

Your little one’s feet may be two different sizes – that’s quite normal. Your fitter will advise you on the best size to ensure comfort and room to grow.

Number one tip for shoe shopping – make sure you’ve both had a snack before you go! Some babies love having their feet measured, others not so much. You’ll do best if you go in when your baby has a full tummy and has napped. Babies’ feet – like ours – can swell over the course of the day, so again it’s best to go later in the day to ensure the shoe is sized for maximum comfort.

You might also find it useful to have someone else with you to distract your baby so you can listen to what the fitter is telling you.

Remember the basics for the shoe itself – plenty of flexibility, adjustable closures, and breathable material. And though it may be tempting to go second-hand, don’t put your little one in well-used shoes. They mould to the shape of the feet, and you want your baby’s feet to have the flexibility to mould their own shoes!

It may take your baby a while to get used to their new shoes, but if you’re worried that they don’t seem to be walking as well, or they’re tripping over often, go back into the shop – or find a different fitter – and make sure the size is right. Red marks or indentations on their feet might indicate that the shoes aren’t fitting well, while an unusual amount of clumsiness might be a sign the shoes are too big.

Babies’ feet change a lot as they grow – and some babies grow really quickly! You might find yourself in the shoe shop more regularly than you’d like as you try to keep up with their changing size. Don’t worry. It won’t be like this forever. And in the meantime, console yourself that you’re investing in their health and mobility.