Remember in the old days when we wore those hard soled white lace up baby shoes? It was thought the harder the sole, the better for us to learn to walk. Our parents may have actually hindered our walking with those shoes they bronzed for us!
There is still some controversy about how soon babies should wear shoes, as well as exactly what type they should wear. There is also competition in the footwear industry for parents to buy certain brands of shoes and for the sake of fashion to start wearing shoes on babies as soon as they are born.
Cute is Not That Important When it Comes to Shoes
But, beware, cute does not necessarily mean that the shoes are going to be good for your baby's feet. In fact, many therapists and doctors will advise you to not wear any shoes on your baby until they are at least a year old and walking independently.
Just like walkers don't help kids to walk, either do shoes. In fact, going barefoot is the very best thing for infants and young toddlers who are crawlers or who are taking first steps. Wearing shoes on a baby before they walk can actually constrict toe movement and hinder foot/toe development. Babies need to be able to bend and stretch their feet and wiggle their toes freely. They also need to be able to feel the floor under their feet and be able to grip the floor for balance using their toes. Being barefoot gives them important cues needed for crawling and walking and helps strengthen muscles.
As newborns and infants you should wear booties with toe room or loose fitting socks or baby slippers only if you are concerned about your child's feet being cold. Many parent's buy socks too small, or purposely look for tight socks since babies tend to learn to pull socks off their feet, however, tight socks can also constrict needed toe/foot movement and muscle development.
Barefoot is Best!
When your baby is starting to walk by himself around ages 12-15 months and is beginning to spend more time outdoors and you want to protect his feet you can look for a pair of shoes. First shoes should be very flexible and light weight. You should be able to bend the shoe completely. If you can only bend it at the toe and not at the center it is not flexible enough. Do not buy shoes with pointed toe boxes, look for a broad roomy toe box which allows a child to spread and wiggle his toes. Do not worry about buying shoes with arch support since almost all babies are flat footed and don't develop arches until they are approaching school age. Be sure the shoes have good non-slip soles.
Size Does Matter!
To find the best size for your child be sure that when the child is standing flat footed in the shoe that you can place at least an adult thumb width (or a 1/4-1/2") above the big toe, otherwise the shoe will be outgrown in a very short time. Also make sure the shoe is wide enough by ensuring your child can wiggle his foot in it a bit.
Remember for all infants and toddlers barefoot is best. Even kids 2-5 should go barefoot while in the house since most foot deformities occur before age 4 when foot bones are still fairly soft.
Many parents are fond of the Robeez brand of shoes made by Stride Rite. These shoes are slipper like and very flexible: http://www.robeez.com and they are approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association as a product that promotes natural foot function.
**********************************************************************
Do you have concerns about your child's eating or sensory skills? If so and you are in the greater Pittsburgh, PA area visit the link below or call: Thrive Place™ Child Development Center
GOOD THINGS HAPPEN HERE!
Thrive Place, 4070 Beechwood Blvd., Unit One Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412-521-1067 
