As parents, you always want to dress up your little one nicely, especially during special occasions. You would want to put the prettiest dress and shoes on to show off your baby. But, the question is, when should babies start wearing hard bottom shoes exactly? Putting hard-bottom shoes on your baby too early can harm their feet. So, it is necessary to know the signs that determine that she’s ready for “big kid” shoes and ensure that you are prepared for that big day as well. Until then, there are tons of ways to keep your baby’s feet comfortable and stylish.
The Old-School of Thought
Your baby can actually benefit from soft-soled shoes for up to 24 months. The old school of thought is based on a concept that a child starts walking on a flat foot, but studies show that kids walk heel to toe. This only means that there’s less pressure on their ankle than what people once thought. Other studies show that a baby’s foot muscles develop better if they go barefoot or wear soft-soled shoes. So, the question remains, when should babies start wearing hard bottom shoes?
Gauging Your Baby’s Progress
Although it’s quite tempting to get your baby his/her first hard-soled shoes when he/she starts to stand on his own, it is essential to wait until your little one is walking thoroughly. But this doesn’t mean that you should run to the shoe store as soon as your little one takes his first step, either. This means that your baby should be walking in and out on a semi-regular basis before giving him his first pair of hard-soled shoes.
Why Wait?
If you’re still wondering when should babies start wearing hard bottom shoes, it is important to wait. Like countless other parenting-related choices, early is not always better. Hard-soled shoes can be restricting, and they prevent the baby’s feet from growing naturally as they learn to walk.
Remember that the baby’s bones are softer than those of an adult person, so letting them use hard-soled shoes can cause them to develop differently from letting your baby go barefoot during the learning process.
Before They are Ready
So what do you do before you decide when should babies start wearing hard bottom shoes? It is ideal to keep your little one barefoot as much as possible so that he/she may be able to feel the ground and maintain balance. If the weather is cold, you can put him on soft-soled shoes to keep his feet warm and protected.
How to Decide When Should Babies Start Wearing Hard Bottom Shoes?
The advice of medical experts today is quite different from that it was decades ago. As charming as novelty shoes can be on your little one, many experts believe that the malleable bones of a baby’s feet require some room to form and grow on their own without the confinement of hard shoes.
Parents are encouraged not to rush the process but to wait until they have a skilled and confident little walker on their hands before placing their baby in hard-soled shoes, which means waiting until your baby is at least 15 months of age or older.
At 15 months, you can put your baby on hard-soled shoes for short periods if you really need them to. As much as you can, keep their feet barefoot or in soft-soled shoes as much as possible.
Preparing for the First Fitting
If you have decided that your little one is ready for her first pair of hard-soled shoes, make sure that it would be a positive experience for her. Find a good shoe store with a knowledgeable staff that specializes in fitting children’s shoes. When your little one is fed, well-rested, go to the store and keep her occupied and satiated.
Conclusion
Tiny, hard-soled shoes may be the cutest and most adorable thing ever, but they serve no purpose when your baby cannot walk yet. While your little one’s delicate feet need protection, especially form cold, most experts agree that babies don’t need to have shoes until they take their first steps, which usually happens between 8 to 18 months old. Before deciding when should babies start wearing hard bottom shoes, consider the things listed in this article. Yes, we’re up for style and trend, but what’s important of all is that your little one’s feet will grow and develop naturally and without restriction. Know more about baby clothes.