Once your little one starts to move about on his/her feet, allowing him/her to go barefoot is often the best option – when your child is barefoot, his/her toes can easily grip the floor, which in turn enhances his/her ability to move around. That said, it is crucial to keep your child’s feet protected when he/she is outdoors; here are some key considerations to keep in mind when buying shoes for your toddler.
1. Measure Your Toddler’s Feet
Refrain from buying your toddler’s first shoes online. Instead, go to your local shoe store that has a designated children’s department, or to a store that specifically makes kids’ shoes, and have a professional measure both of your tot’s feet. If there is a significant difference between the feet, aim to fit shoes to the larger size. Toddler’s feet can differ in size by as much as a half size. Also keep in mind that kids grow quickly, so you should aim to re-measure your little one’s paws every 2-3 months.
2. Have Him/Her Try On Shoes With Socks On
When your child is trying on shoes, have him/her put on the same type of socks that he/she will likely wear with the shoes. This way, they will fit as they should when you buy.
5. Buy Shoes In The Size That Fits
When looking for shoes for your toddler, avoid going for larger sizes to get a couple of extra months of wear. Shoes that are too big will make it hard for your child to walk, and could even prove to be a safety risk.
6. Keep An Eye On The Heel
As your toddler walks around in the shoe, keep a close eye on them, and especially pay close attention to the back of the shoe. If the heel keeps slipping up and down, or it just looks loose, you want to steer clear, as the friction could cause blisters.
7. Check the material
Even if you have your heart set on a cute pair of toddler sandals, you want to look for a shoe made of leather, canvas, or cloth (rather than plastic or rubber), all of which are materials that are porous and allow the sufficient circulation of air, in addition to being flexible. Always choose a shoe that you can bend in your hand without applying much effort.
8. Forget About Trends
It can be easy to get caught up in trends such as clogs, pointy boots, and other high-fashion footwear that may stylish and adorable, but in reality, they are not the most suitable shoes for toddlers who are yet to fully master walking. Such shoes won’t provide the stability and support that an inexperienced walker like your little one needs.
9. Stay Away From Smooth Treads
You want to steer clear of treads that are smooth as they are more likely to cause your toddler to slip and slide. You also want to avoid shoes that have deep grooves as they can easily get caught on the edge of a sidewalk or rug.
Final Thoughts
Buying shoes for your toddler can feel overwhelming because of all the different factors you need to keep in mind to find the most suitable shoes. This guide can help to steer you in the right direction when shoe shopping for your little one, so that you choose something comfortable on his/her tootsies.
