| You really don't need to choose a first pair of shoes | | | | Avoid sandals for babies just beginning to walk. The |
| for your baby until he or she begins to show signs of | | | | open toe of a sandal provides no protection for the |
| wanting to walk. Before they begin pulling themselves | | | | front of the foot and it can catch against things, |
| up to take those first steps, babies feet are | | | | tripping the baby. Stay away from the "Croc" type |
| generally better off if you let them grow naturally | | | | of shoe for young walkers, as well. These shoes |
| without being confined in shoes. You might want a | | | | tend to slip on the foot and don't provide good |
| cute pair of soft infant shoes for photographs and | | | | support. |
| special occasions, but your baby's feet are better left | | | | Although family and friends may offer to give you |
| to grow without restrictions in those first few | | | | their outgrown baby shoes it is better for your baby |
| months. | | | | if you purchase new shoes. Shoes that have been |
| When your baby begins wanting to take those first | | | | worn have conformed to another child's foot. They |
| steps, those little feet will need more protection. | | | | will never fit your child correctly, even if they seem |
| Socks alone will be too slippery, especially on kitchen | | | | to be the proper size. |
| floors and other uncarpeted areas. Look for soft | | | | When purchasing new shoes for your baby or |
| leather or rubber soles that will provide the traction | | | | toddler, be just as aware of the width as you are of |
| your baby's feet need without being so firm that | | | | the length. Baby feet tend to be wide. If the edges |
| they don't bend easily. | | | | of the shoe where the laces are do not form a |
| Experts say that there is little difference between | | | | parallel line, then the shoe may be too narrow. This |
| pliable leather and baby sneakers constructed of | | | | can pinch your baby's foot. |
| canvas and rubber. The important thing to look for is | | | | When trying on baby shoes, be sure to bring along |
| materials that will permit the shoe to mold to your | | | | the kind of sock the baby will be wearing with shoes. |
| individual child's foot. This will make for a much better | | | | Be alert to the amount of space between the foot |
| fit, which will in turn give your child's foot the best | | | | and the shoe both in the front and the back. There |
| support. | | | | should be up to half an inch of space at the front of |
| Those high-topped shoes that parents used to | | | | the shoe, and enough space to insert your pinky |
| bronze when they were outgrown are not especially | | | | finger half an inch or so at the heel. |
| recommended. The high "boot" can be uncomfortable | | | | Be sure to put both shoes on your baby and let him |
| when it rubs against the ankles, and it does no more | | | | or her walk around the store for a few minutes. |
| to support your baby's foot than a good low cut | | | | Watch for any signs of discomfort before you buy |
| shoe. | | | | your baby's first shoes. |