A lot of things can be confusing in parenting, especially when you are new to the whole motherhood thing. Because it’s not an exact science, some of these things will still confuse you even after you’ve had two or three kids!
One such thing is the type of shoes to buy for your little one. I mean, where do you even begin? No one wants to end up buying the wrong size shoe, the wrong color, or a type of shoe that’s not suitable for infants. So how can you avoid these pitfalls?
Buying the right shoes for your little one is important because then they’ll not only get to look extra cute, but they’ll also be comfortable in them as well. So what shoes should you buy for your baby?
When Choosing The Right Shoes For Your Little One, Keep The Following Factors In Mind:
- Style
- Fitting
- Comfort
- Material Of The Shoe
- Color
- Gender
- Price
1. Style
It is never too early to start incorporating style into your baby’s attire. At this young age, shoes are more about complementing an outfit and keeping their little tootsies warm. Get your baby stylish age-appropriate shoes and watch the compliments roll in!
2. Fitting
Proper fitting shoes not only look good in babies but is also comfortable for them. You don’t want your baby’s feet to be swimming in the shoes that you buy; or worse, for the fitting to be too small and too tight for them.
If you are planning to buy your little one’s next pair of shoes in person, take one of her fitting pairs of shoes with you to the store. The shoe will guide you on what size will properly fit your baby. Guessing often leads to bad shoe size choices and ill-fitting shoes for the baby.
There is also a danger in buying shoes that are too small for your little one. It can lead to bunions and other injuries, not to mention the baby constantly crying due to discomfort. On the other hand, big shoes can delay the rate at which your baby learns to walk independently. They are a bad idea, especially for babies who are just learning how to walk.
3. Comfort And Material
The material of the shoe also plays a big role in determining whether the shoe will be comfortable or not. Newborns generally need soft, breathable shoes. Shoes made of cotton or other natural materials are best because they are so soft and cozy.
Plastic shoes are not recommended for babies under 3 months because the material is too hard and uncomfortable. Canvas shoes are a good choice for babies between 3 and 9 months since they are soft enough and light enough for your baby as he starts learning how to walk. Beyond 10 months as your baby starts morphing into a toddler and gains more stability as he walks, other shoes of harder materials such as plastic or leather come into play. This is more convenient because your baby will start exploring the environment outside the house and the hard material will protect his little feet from getting hurt.
4. Gender And Color
A lot of times, shoes for boys look significantly different from those for girls. This becomes more and more apparent as they age and gain a sense of identity.
Girl shoes are usually more colorful and may feature adornments like cute little bows and stickers while boy shoes will often have bold prints.
There are also gender-neutral shoes that come in gender-neutral colors and gender-neutral prints. This is a great option for an expecting mom who doesn’t know yet the gender of her unborn child, or for anyone who does not want to force gender constraints on their child from an early age.
5. Price
Most baby shoes are usually quite affordable. There is a shoe for every budget so you don’t need to go overboard where budget is concerned. You’ll always find cute shoes for your little one within your financial budget.
Final Thoughts
When buying baby shoes, the most important thing to consider is your little one’s comfort. And if you notice that your little one is crying and screaming and trying to take the shoes off, it might be wise to remove them and try again at a later time.
