Our Guide to Choosing the Proper Baby Shoe
Did you know that when a newborn baby enters the world, they have cartilage in their feet that will eventually grow and harden to form into bones (a process known as ossification)?
Choosing the right shoe for your child is an important step to facilitate appropriate development. A baby should have shoes that are soft with flexible soles with a wide toe area such as a moccasin, or barefoot all together! Considering the foot continues to grow rapidly during this time, it is important to consistently check that the shoe is not too tight for your child to avoid misalignment.
As the child begins to weight-bear, the bones in the foot and muscles surrounding the foot are getting stronger by being challenged in standing and cruising. With this in mind, it is often best for babies to learn to walk without shoes all together! Walking barefoot has many benefits for the child including promoting arch formation, sensory input, and improving proprioception (body awareness in relation to space). As the winter approaches, it is not always possible for your new walker to be barefoot… With that in mind, look for a shoe that is lightweight, with a rubber bottom to prevent slipping and a flexible sole. An indicator of when to switch from the softer moccasin shoe to one with a rubber bottom may be when your child is ambulating in the community. The rubber bottom will protect their feet from any harmful objects.
The foot alignment can affect the knees, hips, and posture of a rapidly growing child! A physical or occupational therapist can help assess + treat lower extremity misalignment under the guidance of a pediatrician or orthopedist. Conditions related to baby and toddler lower extremity development may include flatfootedness (overpronation), toeing-in, toe walking, or club feet. If untreated, these conditions may affect future motor milestones and gait patterns. The clinical team can determine if a more supportive shoe (such as a firmer heel cup for children with hypotonia/overpronation) or orthosis may be appropriate to support your child’s foot and ankle as they continue to grow. Contact Tiny Transformations today for an evaluation if you have a concern regarding your child’s alignment.
Here are some top choices of baby and children shoe brands:
Stride Rite is our go to for new walkers! Machine washable, velcro closures and options for wider widths.
For children who use orthoses, Billy's has the most options and is sold at Target.