| Many parents buy popular "grown-up" brands of | | | | It's extremely important that toddler shoes fit |
| shoes for their babies and toddlers. The tiny versions | | | | properly. When thick-soled shoes are even a little too |
| are admittedly extremely cute. They can also be | | | | large -- like when a parent buys them "with room to |
| very expensive. | | | | grow" -- they aren't as comfortable as the ones that |
| But did you know that these kinds of shoes actually | | | | fit. They wear unevenly. These shoes get labeled as |
| aren't the best choice for toddlers? | | | | "ouchy" and then your toddler doesn't want to wear |
| Toddlers are, by definition, learning to walk. They are | | | | them at all. |
| unsteady on their feet, and balance is a huge issue. | | | | If a shoe is too large, your toddler's balance will be |
| While pediatricians and other experts recommend | | | | off. He is likely to trip and fall more -- especially if the |
| that "barefoot is best" at this stage, it often isn't | | | | soles are thick and less sensitive to changes in the |
| practical to go barefoot except at home. | | | | ground under his feet. Buying shoes that fit will be |
| The best shoes for little ones are very flexible, with | | | | safer and much more fun for everyone as you treat |
| sturdy but soft soles. The tough rubber of most | | | | fewer "owies" caused by tripping and falling. |
| tennis shoes and other "grown-up" brands is meant | | | | After years as a parent, I've learned that the real |
| to be very inflexible -- exactly the opposite of what | | | | money saver is a well-made pair of shoes that |
| your toddler needs. | | | | actually fit well. I've also learned that shoes with |
| These inflexible shoes actually make it harder for | | | | flexible soles cause the least amount of balance |
| your toddler to walk -- resulting in more falls and | | | | problems. |
| more tripping because their tiny feet can't feel what's | | | | If you are thinking of buying Nikes or another |
| underneath. In flexible shoes your child's feet will still | | | | "grown-up" brand of shoes for your toddler, consider |
| be protected, and he will be able to move safely and | | | | whether your toddler will be as comfortable in these |
| steadily. | | | | as he would be in shoes with more flexible soles. |