Shoe Recommendations for Baby!
When should baby start wearing shoes?
When babies are learning to stand and walk, I recommend letting them be barefoot as much as possible (or just socks if they need something covering their feet!) Being barefoot allows the muscles in the feet and ankle to strengthen, lets baby practice their balance reactions, and gives them sensory information from the floor that helps them learn to shift their weight and move. Of course if you want to put little tiny shoes on your baby when you are out and about, that is totally OK!
Once baby is taking a few steps on their own, you can introduce shoes when out of the house to protect their feet!
If your baby has delayed motor skills, low muscle tone, or another condition that affects their feet they might benefit from shoes or orthotics earlier. I recommend working with a professional like a pediatric physical therapist to find the right amount of support to help them be successful!
What should I look for in a shoe for my baby or toddler?
When shopping for shoes I look for:
A thin, flexible sole. This could be leather or rubber, but you should be able to fold the shoe in half! Think about walking in ski boots or ice skates, a stiff shoe makes it much harder! If they will be walking outside I also like to pick a sole with traction to minimize slipping and falling.
A wide toe box. The toes should be able to wiggle and spread out, not be pinched together.
Straps or laces. Baby feet come in many shapes and sizes so it is important to adjust the shoe to their foot. If we can’t, they are working hard to stabilize their foot inside the shoe making it harder to walk. For this reason I also don’t prefer sock style shoes that just pull onto the foot.
Supportive heel cup. If you pinch the back of baby’s shoe it should be flexible but firm. If you can pinch your fingers together it is not supportive enough, and if it doesn’t move when you pinch then it is too rigid.
Bonus Tip! A shoe that opens up wide or has a pull loop on the back of the heel can be easier to get on. As a parent, you will be grateful for this after putting their shoes back on for the hundredth time!
What shoes do you recommend as a pediatric physical therapist?
I have found many shoe options at Target and Walmart that meet the criteria above! And if looking on Amazon I’ll usually search “first walker shoe” for some good options. Here are a few of the brands and shoe options I recommend over and over again!
What about shoes that fit over orthotics?
If your child wears any type of orthotic, it can be challenging to find footwear that fits (and is cute!) Here are a few brands that my patients have loved. Remember to size for the orthotic, not your child’s foot. If you are searching for more options I recommend looking for “easy on” or “adaptive” shoes.
If your child only wears an orthotic on one leg, look for companies that provide a Split-Shoe program that lets you purchase 2 shoes of different sizes! Nordstrom and Friendly Shoes offer this program. Zappos also also you to buy 2 single shoes of different sizes but their stock varies.
Questions about how to pick a show for your child? Concerns about you child's development? Contact us today!
The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and not intended to be medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provide for diagnosis and treatment.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.