Picking the Right Footwear for a Baby or Toddler

There are various factors that need to be taken into account when choosing footwear for a baby or a toddler and these should not be overlooked when a cute pair of shoes is spotted. For example, babies' feet grow incredibly quickly in their first year, with some growing to half their full adult size. Therefore any footwear needs to have room for this rapid growth and must not restrict the feet from growing in any shape or form.

Flexibility is a very important factor that is closely related to the last point. With babies and toddlers moving their feet on a regular basis, there must be a degree of flexibility with the footwear which is why they tend to resemble socks in most cases. This makes it much easier to put on the shoes, which can be difficult with children and less flexible footwear. This also avoids any pain or discomfort a child may feel from the process of putting them on or taking them off.

The interior of a baby's footwear should be very soft to protect their feet as they tend to be particularly delicate and have tender skin. This will also make them very comfortable, which is an important factor for all shoes and not just those for a young child. Padded cushioning should remove any discomfort and the young child should feel happy whilst wearing the footwear.

In terms of the exterior the soles should have sufficient grip. This is particularly important for when a toddler is taking his or her first steps to improve their confidence and to avoid any potential slips or falls. This is even more important for homes which have hardwood flooring instead of carpets due to the lack of grip provided by wooden flooring and the lack of cushioning to protect against a fall.

Another factor to consider is the pattern or image on the shoes. Interesting colours and designs should help to stimulate a child's interest and awareness. In addition they should be more willing to wear them if they are colourful or have one of their favourite cartoon characters on the front.

One more factor to consider which concerns the parents more than the child is the method of washing that is needed. Care should be taken to observe the best way to wash them in order to prevent shrinkage or colour loss. This will be down to the materials used and some shoes may need to be hand washed in cold water.