In First Steps, footwear mainly serves to protect when the environment requires it. On a safe and suitable indoor surface, a baby can explore barefoot. You shouldn’t turn a specific number of steps into a universal buying rule.
When to look for a first pair
Think about where they will walk: the need for protection changes between home and outdoors. The linked child health service guidelines address this stage of development. They are not a brand recommendation nor a guarantee that a type of shoe speeds up learning.
How to check the fit
Measure both feet and consult the children’s model chart. Distinguish between foot measurements and internal measurements: don’t add the margin indicated by the guide twice. Don’t choose an extra size just to anticipate growth. Check width, heel grip, and closure, as well as length.
What to look for when trying it on
The shoe must stay secure without squeezing. Watch if the child moves differently, if the closure presses, or if there are marks and chafing. The sizing of another brand doesn’t replace this test. Check the fit regularly because the foot can change even if the shoe looks new.
If you have doubts about walking
Every child has their own pace. If you’re worried about how they walk, there’s pain, or there’s a prior clinical recommendation, consult a healthcare professional. Footwear should not be presented as a method to correct development.
Source consulted: Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust.
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Footwear for First Steps: when it's needed and how to choose it
In First Steps, footwear mainly serves to protect when the environment requires it. On a safe and suitable indoor surface, a baby can explore barefoot. You shouldn’t turn a specific number of steps into a universal buying rule.
When to look for a first pair
Think about where they will walk: the need for protection changes between home and outdoors. The linked child health service guidelines address this stage of development. They are not a brand recommendation nor a guarantee that a type of shoe speeds up learning.
How to check the fit
Measure both feet and consult the children’s model chart. Distinguish between foot measurements and internal measurements: don’t add the margin indicated by the guide twice. Don’t choose an extra size just to anticipate growth. Check width, heel grip, and closure, as well as length.
What to look for when trying it on
The shoe must stay secure without squeezing. Watch if the child moves differently, if the closure presses, or if there are marks and chafing. The sizing of another brand doesn’t replace this test. Check the fit regularly because the foot can change even if the shoe looks new.
If you have doubts about walking
Every child has their own pace. If you’re worried about how they walk, there’s pain, or there’s a prior clinical recommendation, consult a healthcare professional. Footwear should not be presented as a method to correct development.
Source consulted: Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust.
Keep reading