Best Foot Forward – Choosing the Right Footwear for Those First Steps
June 18th, 2011Movements are milestones in a baby’s life – as your little one grows and develops, you will find yourself measuring their progress by their means of movement. And while crawling, standing and walking will eventually come on their own accord, choosing the right footwear for each stage of your child’s development can be a great way to ensure that they are well equipped for those big changes.
When you are looking for those first few pairs of boys’ or girls’ shoes for your little one, you will need to consider both style and substance. Luckily with companies like Vertbaudet, which also offers a full range of boys’ clothes and girls’ dresses, you won’t have to compromise on either.
Prams Shoes for Tiny Tots
The initial choice for infants will usually be a pram shoe. Pram shoes are soft, pliable designs that are simple made as an addition to an outfit and provide warmth for the feet. Pram shoes are intended for tiny babies and are designed so as not to restrict the foot in any way. The best pram shoes are ones that tiny tots are not even aware of once they are on. If an infant seems to be struggling against a shoe then it is likely that it is causing them some discomfort and the choice should be rethought. The beauty of pram shoes is that parents do not need to choose them for practical purposes; there are some wonderfully pretty girls’ shoes for the pram shoes stage and parent’s need never worry about these becoming soiled or sullied as they will not be used for walking!
Making a Move – Time for New Shoes
As infants begin to gain independence of motion, it can be helpful to them if their parents select an appropriate new shoe. Many children’s shoe ranges include designs specifically tailored to the needs of a child making the transition to moving about on their own. Toddler shoes at this stage usually feature a soft flexible sole, which allows for the feet to be used as a method of crawling propulsion. While most children’s shoes at this age will be grown out of before they are worn out, parents in search of the most practical footwear solutions may wish to choose a design with a rubber or plasticised toe guard for crawlers, as this area of the shoe can easily become scuffed with constant movement.
First Steps – Hard Soles
When a child starts to stand on their own and is indicating that they are ready to begin to take those all important first steps, then the time has come to look at the little one’s footwear again. Once a child is attempting to walk alone, they will need a more solid shoe that can offer them the comfort and support that they need to grow in confidence. First walking shoes will usually feature a hard but flexible sole to aid the transition phase. At this stage, parents should consider carefully designed features such as the fastening of the shoe, as practicality is all important if parents want to aid their little walkers. A buckle or Velcro fastening is often preferable to a laced shoe at this age as undone laces can not only cause frustration but also present a tripping risk that can be dangerous to a tottering child in the first stages of step-taking.
Fitting is Paramount in Children’s Footwear
Children’s footwear must be supportive but not restrictive, so it is really important that parents ensure that their children’s feet are adequately measured for size and width before investing in any shoes.
