The first baby steps

You never forget a baby’s first steps. They bring many things with them: pride, independence, happiness – but also plenty of worries. Now your baby can no longer just crawl in every direction with their crawling shoes; they are happily stomping around, completely unaware of any danger. For proud parents, this means maximum attention 24/7. It certainly helps if your future marathon runner is wearing comfortable baby shoes.

As adorable as baby shoes may be, there are several important factors to consider besides the design. It does not matter whether the shoes are intended as a gift or for your own little one:

Material

Many people believe that baby shoes should provide support. In reality, they should primarily protect little feet from injuries, dirt, moisture and cold. It is important that baby shoes fit the baby's feet perfectly. Soft, flexible materials such as tanned leather or cotton are ideal because they are natural and breathable.
There is a biological reason for this requirement: babies sweat more during their first year of life because they cannot yet fully regulate their body temperature. Their tiny feet are among the areas that sweat the most. Therefore, it is important that baby shoes absorb moisture effectively and allow it to evaporate without causing heat loss.

The risk of slipping can be reduced by choosing crawling shoes with non-slip soles. However, the sole should still be very soft. Before buying, try bending the sole without using much force. If it bends easily, it will later adapt well to the natural rolling movement of your child’s foot.

Size

Orthopaedists and paediatricians estimate that approximately every second child wears shoes that are either too small or too large. What many people do not know is that the nervous system in young children's feet is not yet fully developed, so they do not necessarily feel pain when shoes are too tight. A child will therefore not complain if a shoe is too small – simply because it does not bother them yet. Their bones and soft tissues are still very flexible and easily shaped. Unfortunately, the consequences often only become visible later. Crooked toes, poor posture and back pain are just some of the problems that can result from ill-fitting shoes.

How can you prevent this or at least reduce the risk?

• Children’s shoe sizes should be checked every three to four months. Children’s feet grow very quickly: every six months they become approximately two to four millimetres wider and five millimetres longer. (Thankfully, this does not continue throughout life!) Up to the age of three, frequent shoe replacements are necessary. Even later, children are unlikely to tell you when their shoes have become too small. That is why it remains important to regularly check the fit and watch out for redness or pressure marks.
• The answer to the question “Do these shoes fit?” is not particularly reliable. As mentioned, small children cannot accurately judge this yet. Likewise, the trick of leaving a thumb’s width of space between the foot and the end of the shoe is not always reliable, as children instinctively curl their toes, distorting the result.
  A much better method is to create a template of your child’s foot (ideally using sturdy cardboard) and place it inside the shoe before buying. This will help you determine whether the shoe fits properly. Add approximately 12 mm beyond the big toe when creating the template. For winter shoes, 17 mm is recommended. Ideally, the shoe’s insole can be removed. Place your child’s foot on the insole to see exactly whether the shoe still fits.
• If you are reading this article because you are planning to give baby shoes as a gift, it is best to ask which size is needed. After that, you can focus entirely on finding an adorable design.

Phew, that is a lot of information. There are many things to consider when buying crawling shoes that are not immediately obvious. You need to consider the baby’s needs when choosing baby shoes, even though they cannot yet tell you what they need. With the tips in this blog post, however, you will be well prepared. Quite literally, nothing will go wrong!