It’s best to go barefoot whenever possible if your baby is learning to walk : Doing so helps build arches and strengthen ankles.
What to look out for:
Both pre-walking and walking baby shoes should be flexible (you should be able to feel your baby’s toes through them) and made with breathable material (leather, cloth or canvas — not plastic).
- Flexible nonslip soles.
- You should be able to bend the toe of the shoe up about 40 degrees easily.
- Look for a shoe with good traction to help keep baby on her feet. Nonskid leather or rubber soles, especially those with grooves or bumps, will keep her from slipping.
- Padding.
- Baby walking shoes should offer firm support but be padded on the heel backs and around the ankles to minimize rubbing, and on the bottom inside for comfort.
- Extra secure closures.
- Be sure your baby walking shoes are easy for you to get on baby’s feet, but not so easy that they come loose on their own, especially once she starts walking.
Baby shoe sizes
- 0-3 months: Size 1
- 3-6 months: Size 2
- 6-9 months: Size 2.5, 3
- 9-12 months: Size 3.5, 4
- 12-18 months: Size 4.5, 5
- 18-24 months: Size 5.5, 6
