Buying Baby Shoes

Willow is just starting to walk (at 11.5 months old) so it's finally time to get her some shoes. We aren't the type of parents who have had shoes on her from birth because why would you? There is absolutely ZERO reason to have a baby in shoes before they can walk other than to be fashionable, which just isn't a good use of our money. But hey, you want your baby to be fashionable? Good for you! It's just not the way we are.

So, how do you pick the right shoe for a baby just learning to walk?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics article, Shoes for Children: A Review by Dr.Lynn T. Staheli, director of Orthopedics at Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle:

1. Optimum foot development occurs in the barefoot environment.


2. The primary role of shoes is to protect the foot from injury and infection.


3. Stiff and compressive footwear may cause deformity, weakness, and loss of mobility.


4. The term "corrective shoes" is a misnomer.


5. Shock absorption, load distribution, and elevation are valid indications for shoe modifications.


6. Shoe selection for children should be based on the barefoot model.


7. Physicians should avoid and discourage the commercialization and "media"-ization of footwear. Merchandizing of the "corrective shoe" is harmful to the child, expensive for the family, and a discredit to the medical profession.

So, shoes that are not "stiff" and "sturdy" are what the AAP recommends since those type of shoes can cause abnormal development of infant feet. Heck, they seem to be recommending no shoes indoors, just shoes for outdoor use.

We usually don't have shoes or socks on Willow. We had (okay tried) socks on her until she was about 5 months old or so but then she just kept pulling them off so we went with no socks and it has worked great. Seeing as how she still loves sucking on her toes, socks would definitely hamper that activity but I'm sure she'll get over it.

I found an article from Parents.com (Parents is one of the best magazines EVER and you can easily get a FREE subscription) called Best Shoes for Baby. While they strongly recommend talking to your doctor about buying shoes for your baby, they offer some guidelines to keep in mind when looking (as we are) to purchase shoes for your baby.

When your baby does step outside, make sure that she's outfitted in footwear that meets the following guidelines:

• Whether the shoes you choose are high-top or low-cut, they need to remain snug on your child's feet. Since babies tend to have fat, round feet, they have little or no heel to help hold the shoe in place.


• The shoes should be made of breathable materials, such as canvas, leather, or suede, to avoid perspiration that can produce a rash on tender skin.


• The right fit is critical: Shoes that are too short could pinch your child's feet and even cause a deformity; if they're too long, she will be more likely to fall. Have a salesperson measure both of her feet very carefully. Your baby's shoes will fit her best when there is about a thumb's width between the end of her longest toe and the tip of the shoe.

I also went looking for what other parents have thought and done and came across this forum discussion that I found helpful on the Berkley Parents Network: Baby's First Shoes. The big recommendations seem to be for Robeez, Pediped, and Preschoolians. So, let's check them out!

Robeez was started by a former airline employee and mom named Sandra who was laid off from her job. From their website: Sandra saw this as an opportunity to start her own home-based business. For inspiration, she looked to her son’s tiny feet.

Sandra set out to handcraft a pair of brightly colored, soft-soled leather shoes for young Robert. She was pleased to discover that the shoes seemed to improve his balance, because the soft soles allowed him to “feel” the floor while he toddled about. Sandra decided to name the shoes after her son. “Robeez” shoes were born. All Robeez footwear collections carry the American Podiatric Medical Association's (foot doctor's) "Seal of Approval".

Pediped doesn't have a touching story on their website about their founding, but they do have two types of shoes available, the Original (0 to 2 years) and Flex (2 to 5 years). From their website: pediped™ footwear is designed to be the "next best thing to bare feet." They allow children's feet to develop naturally and provide optimal support and protection during the developmental stages of babies' feet – from initial crawl to the first steps and beyond. pediped (like Robeez) is also recommended by podiatrists carrying the APMA seal as well.

Preschoolians was founded with founder Jeffery Silverman's passion for children's foot ware in mind. From their website: "As a parent myself, I know how frustrating it can be to get properly fitting, intelligently designed footwear for young children. The preschool years are the most important of all and I have always believed there should be a footwear company that focuses on that and nothing else. Now there is such a company."

At Preschoolians we are devoted to: Providing you with extraordinary customer service when you purchase our footwear. Creating the world's best footwear for preschoolers.

Pediatricians agree. Barefoot is Best for foot development. Unfortunately, keeping your baby's feet warm, clean and protected from sharp objects is equally important. With these two thoughts in mind, we have developed the most flexible, comfortable, well-fitting shoes for every stage of your child's developmental period.

Well, now that I know the types of shoes I should probably be buying, I think I am going to have to check out all three of those and then make my decision. I hope this has been helpful to you!