Between birth and two years old, your baby will develop at an extraordinary speed, and each of their advancements will be a new source of wonder for you. Discover with us the major milestones in their development and how to interact with them to help stimulate their awakening.
When it's time to offer your baby their first pair of shoes, how do you find the right one among the dozens of models you can admire in shop windows? It's better not to succumb solely to an aesthetic crush, but also to be vigilant about a few key points!
During their first few months, your baby doesn't need shoes: direct contact with the ground, barefoot, in socks, or in soft leather booties, allows them to find their balance more easily and gradually strengthen their cute little feet. But when they stand up and take their first steps (between 9 and 18 months old on average, depending on the child), the time has come to offer them their first real pair of shoes! An important choice, for your baby's comfort and also for the proper development of their feet.
First shoes: rigid or flexible?
At the time of first steps, your baby's feet are still naturally flat and their legs slightly bowed. It was long thought that to help the arch of the foot form and the legs straighten, baby shoes should have a rigid heel counter and a pronounced arch support. Most models offered in stores today are still of this type.
However, for several years now, research in podiatry tends to prove that baby's feet develop best when bare: the ideal would be direct contact with the ground, which provides better balance, helps the little feet to muscle up, and the arch of the foot to form naturally.
But of course, there's no question of leaving your child barefoot outdoors... To ensure their comfort, prevent them from slipping, and protect their feet, several brands now offer soft shoes, in leather or canvas to let the skin breathe, with a light and flexible sole. Whenever possible, choose a model with Velcro fasteners, which adapt precisely to the foot's morphology and are easy for the child to fasten or unfasten themselves.
The right size
We are sometimes tempted to choose shoes that are a little too big so that they last longer… A mistake to avoid! Uncomfortable, shoes that are too big could also compromise your little one's still precarious balance. Your shoemaker can certainly offer you a pedometer to accurately measure their feet.
From one size to the next
Plump as they are, babies' feet are not very sensitive. Your little one probably won't realize when their shoes become too small. It's up to you to check regularly by pressing on the front of the shoe when they are standing: a good centimeter should remain empty between their toes and the end of the shoe. Note that until they are 3 years old, they will change shoe size approximately every 4 months: a nice collection of models in perspective!
During their first few months, your baby doesn't need shoes: direct contact with the ground, barefoot, in socks, or in soft leather booties, allows them to find their balance more easily and gradually strengthen their cute little feet. But when they stand up and take their first steps (between 9 and 18 months old on average, depending on the child), the time has come to offer them their first real pair of shoes! An important choice, for your baby's comfort and also for the proper development of their feet.
