Boot-Tiful Beginnings – A Guide to Finding the Perfect First Pair for Your Little One
There’s something about a pair of iron rangers that screams rugged. And it’s not just their quad-stitched, pleasingly bulbous toe caps, nickel eyelets, or the fact that they can spar with your feet like a pair of rugged leather gloves. These boots take time to break in and reach a level of comfort that will last a lifetime.
Keep It Simple
There is a lot of well-meaning advice about when to buy your little one their first shoes. Some parents opt to buy them from the newborn stage onwards; others prefer to wait until they start walking. However, the truth is that a child’s feet are going through an incredible amount of growth and change in that first year. And so it’s essential to give them the support they need, starting with a good pair of shoes.
Whether you’re shopping online or in-store, it’s essential to keep it simple. You don’t want to be stuffing a tiny foot into a shoe that is too small or will cause their toes to push up and back, leading to blisters, corns, and other problems. So, take the time to measure their foot before putting them in their first pair of shoes. Try tracing their foot on paper or measuring them with a ruler if they’re old enough to play along.
Each child’s little foot starts with 22 partially developed bones, eventually fusing into 26 fully formed ones as they grow. These new bones need to move freely, which is why the right pair of shoes is so important.
Go With Your Sense of Style
Whether or not you dress your baby in shoes is entirely up to you, but once they start walking, it’s something you should consider. Baby’s feet are essential to their development, and well-fitted shoes can help them develop healthily.
Having the proper boots for kids will make the experience fun and memorable. Some babies are more likely to enjoy shoe shopping if you limit their choices to sneakers and boots. This way, they can take their time to explore the differences and decide which pair they’d like.
If shopping online, you can use various methods to measure your child’s foot length, including tracing their foot on paper or using a ruler while napping. Once you have the measurements, it’s time to find the perfect first pair!
Pick a Good Fit
Walking is one of the most significant milestones your little ones will reach, and this is the time when you’ll want to get them a pair of their first shoes. They’ll need a good pair of shoes with a close fit that will give them the stability and traction they require for those early steps.
When buying their first shoes, it’s best to head to a shop specializing in footwear or shoe departments; they will have a broader range of appropriate footwear and staff trained in measuring those wiggly little feet. The fit of their shoes is essential because if they are too big or small, it can impact their foot development.
If they are too big, it can cause blisters; if they are too small, it can cause their toes to curl inwards, leading to hammertoe. It can be excruciating for them and can also lead to issues later down the line.
Measuring their feet isn’t easy as they aren’t likely to be still or sit quietly, but you can do a few things to make it easier. If the person is wearing socks and you can see their toes, it’s a good idea to measure their feet that way. Otherwise, you can trace around their foot on a piece of paper or use a ruler to get an accurate measurement.
Go for Comfort
When your child starts to walk, they need flexible-soled shoes that allow safe exploration of their environment. Kids’ shoes have padded and lightweight designs to give your baby confidence in their newly acquired skill set. The cushioned material will also enable them to practice their balance without getting tired too quickly.
Choose a natural material like leather or canvas for the upper to ensure your child’s feet get enough air. Avoid plastic or artificial fibres, which will cause your toddler’s feet to sweat and may promote fungus infections like athlete’s foot.
Lastly, be sure to choose a shoe with a good fit. Your baby will kick around in them all day, so you want to ensure they don’t slip, rub, or cause discomfort. You can measure their feet with a ruler or use a piece of string and have them stand in the shoes to test the fit before purchasing.
While it’s tempting to buy your baby their first shoes as soon as they start crawling, many experts advise waiting until they can take unaided steps. When shopping for your baby’s first shoes, be sure to find a shoe specializing in footwear for babies and toddlers. They will have a more excellent range of appropriately sized footwear and staff trained in measuring wiggly little feet.