How To Keep Up With Your Baby's Changing Shoe Needs

At the beginning of life, your baby is usually in a crib, a cradle, or in somebody's arms. They do not walk, they do not crawl, and they do not even turn over. You might wonder why they need shoes at all. As your child begins to walk, though, there is little question. Getting your child from birth through being a toddler in appropriate shoes is an important chore to take care of as your child grows up.

At first, your main concern with your child's feet should be to keep them warm. As you will be protecting your baby very closely during this time, the shoes do not need to offer much in the way of protection from environmental hazards other than the cold. If you keep your baby's feet covered up with a blanket when warmth is needed, you can get by with putting off buying baby shoes at this time.

However, if your baby is a kicker and you cannot keep blankets on their feet, warm socks can work better. There are all kinds of special baby socks and booties that can keep baby's feet warm in the coldest winter. For dress up, you might want to put on cloth baby shoes instead. They will look more formal, but will still keep your baby's feet warm.

Soft soled shoes are the next step for most babies. Baby shoes begin to be more important as the baby starts moving around more. That is when babies begin to crawl off the blanket you had set down for them. They begin to crawl and explore anything new they can reach. You will be watching them carefully, but they are fast. Their shoes need to protect them a little more than socks or cloth shoes.

Shoes with a soft sole may have leather soles or rubber soles. Some soft soled shoes are made like little moccasins. Soft soled shoes allow the baby to respond to the floor in a natural way. They enable the child to go through developmental changes like crawling and standing while holding onto things. These baby shoes are suitable for any child who has not started to walk.

As soon as your baby even starts trying to walk, go to the shoe store and look for shoes that will make that activity easier. There are some very good shoes that give some support without an excessive amount of structure. The child needs baby shoes at this time that will allow for tentative movements and trial and error in learning. Look for shoes that are designated as pre-walker shoes because they are made to bridge the gap between a floor-bound baby and a walking one.

When your child has mastered walking, baby shoes will be needed that can both support and protect the feet. Your child will be off and running in every direction. You will need to be sure a stray splinter or sharp rock does not hurt baby's foot. Now is the time for sturdy leather lace up shoes with a solid sole. You may have to buy numerous pairs of baby shoes in the course of a child's infancy and being a toddler. It is always important that you buy baby shoes that fit. Then, your child can grow in comfort.

Gregg Hall is an author living with his beautiful wife and family in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about footwear as well as children's shoes at http://www.shoefashionmagazine.com