When should my child start wearing shoes?

Until your baby begins to walk, shoes are not necessary at all. You can choose booties or slipper socks to keep feet warm during the winter months. As your child learns to walk, feeling the ground with his or her bare feet is helpful.

Shoes are really only necessary as protection for the feet. Keep this in mind when purchasing shoes, and look for materials that are soft and breathable. It’s also important that the shoe you select has a sole that won’t slip on surfaces that are smooth.

When shoe shopping for your toddler, consider the fit. If the heel isn’t snug, the foot will move forward with each step. Make sure that there is enough room for the toes both in length and width of the shoe. Also, shoes should be flexible enough to bend near the base of the toes, just as your foot does.