Toddlers: they're cute, they're busy, and they grow and develop incredibly fast! As your little one goes from crawling to cruising to walking, you might wonder when to start putting shoes on them - and when you do, which type of shoes are best for them?
When should I look into footwear?
For babies who aren’t walking, footwear is more about warmth. How they fit is still important - you don't want to cut off blood to their little foot, or have the shoes slip off while you're out and about, but you also don't need to worry too much about how flexible the soles are, or whether their toes have enough space to spread out properly.
While learning to walk, barefoot is ideal. Feeling through the bottom of their feet provides your child with sensory information and builds muscle strength. Once your toddler is walking around more often and more confidently – particularly once they start walking around outside – you should look into footwear that protects their foot but still allows freedom to feel the ground and develop a good stride and balance.
How should footwear fit my toddler?
Shoes should fit in length, height, and width. Your toddler’s foot can grow quickly, so don’t get too attached to any particular pair of shoes; they could be too small in a couple of months (or even a couple of weeks!). Keep in mind there should be space for toes to spread out to encourage proper use of their foot.
You also want to ensure there’s not too much room or your little one's foot will naturally grip the soul of the shoe to keep it on. Aim to feel the big toe almost but not quite touching the tip of the shoe when you squeeze it between your thumb and forefinger – a gap of roughly one to one and a half centimetres is generally best.
How to choose the right footwear
Have both of your toddler’s feet measured? In the not unusual case that one foot is larger than the other, buy the larger size. The size difference shouldn’t be more than one full size. If this is the case, think about having professional shoes tailored as it isn’t good for foot development to wear a shoe over one size too large.
Many toddler shoes fasten with Velcro, which is more about parent convenience than function - it can be tricky convincing your busy little person to slow down long enough to tie two sets of laces.
Test the flexibility of shoe soles when you're shopping - you want shoes that can basically fold in half. That way you know your toddler's foot can move as it is supposed to, which supports their whole-body growth and development.
If you can, choose two or three shoes that will work well for your little one, and then get them involved to pick their favourite! Toddlers love having some control over their life, so this is one choice they can participate in - just make sure to respect their choice if you offer them the opportunity.
Hopefully this helps you find the perfect shoe for your growing toddler. Shopping for shoes is even more fun when you get to see your tiny person exploring the world in them! Check out the range of shoes and babywear at Baby Bunting - shop online or in store today!