Shoe-In

SHOE-IN
GET YOUR CHILD FITTED FOR THE RIGHT SHOES—AT THE RIGHT TIME

Confused about shoes? You’re not alone. The question of when to slip baby into his or her first pair of shoes usually
leaves parents puzzled. Just as soon as you hear one piece of advice, someone else suggests the opposite. In order
to get you (and your child) headed in the right direction, we asked Tanya Altmann, M.D., a pediatrician in Westlake
Village, CA and spokesperson for American Academy of Pediatrics, to clear up the facts about how to best find and
fit your child for fabulous footwear.

Myth: Putting your child in shoes will help her walk faster

Truth: Dr. Altmann says that outfitting baby in shoes before she can walk will not result in an early walker. “Many parents think getting shoes sooner will cause children to walk earlier, better and faster, but this is simply not true,” she says. “They’ll walk easier if they’re barefoot because they need to grip the ground.”

Myth: Wait until baby is walking before putting him in shoes

Truth: Though Dr. Altmann agrees with following this commonly-followed shoe-buying rule of thumb, she says that the real shoe-buying barometer should concern whether your child will be walking on unsafe surfaces. “I recommend waiting until baby is walking before buying shoes, but they’re really not necessary until he or she will be walking outside or on unsafe surfaces,” she says. If your child is walking or even starting to cruise around and will be outside, protect his feet with a pair of shoes that aren’t constricting and feature a hard, flexible sole. “With these kinds of shoes, a thorn or nail can’t push through the bottom, but the child will still have enough room to move and flex his feet,” she explains.

Myth: Shoes with ankle support are better than ones without

Truth: Dr. Altmann says that ankle supports aren’t really necessary. “Kids should be able to walk just fine without added support on the ankle,” she confirms.

Myth: Avoid Velcro shoes

Truth: When weighing in on the Velcro vs. laces debate, Dr. Altmann is in favor of beginning with Velcro, then transitioning to traditional laces. “In the beginning, when baby is first beginning to walk, Velcro is easier for parents,” she asserts. “Some baby shoes come with ties because they are slightly easier to fit on the foot , but most parents — rightfully so—thing tying laces on baby shoes is too time consuming, and I see their point!”. Once your child reaches four or five, however, she recommends kissing Velcro bye-bye. “Once they hit age around four to five when they can learn to tie their own shoes, get a lace-up pair. Learning to tie their own shoes is an important developmental milestone for children.”

Myth: You should buy your child new shoes every month

Truth: Save the monthly shoe buying for your closet and not baby’s. “Children around 3 years old and younger will need new shoes every three months or so,” Dr. Altmann says. After she passes the three-year-old mark, your child’s foot growth will most likely slow down. This rapid growth requires frequent shoe-fitting, so it’s important to get your child’s foot sized properly—and often.

When seeking to size your kid up, Dr. Altmann cautions that not all shoe fitters are created equal. “When fitting your child for shoes, go to a shoe store where the employees are really trained in fitting a child’s feet,” she recommends. Because your child may have wide or unevenly-sized feet, measuring them yourself or relying on the advice of a novice shoe salesperson may not be in your child’s best interests.

Even if you know your child’s size, don’t plan your shoe buying too far ahead of time with the assumption that his feet will grow at the same rate each three months. “Don’t order online or buy from catalog in first couple of years because you just never know the rate at which their feet will grow. If you’re looking to save money by buying shoes for the next season when they’re on sale, you might end up with shoes your child never wears, which will defeat the purpose,” advises Dr. Altmann. “Once she is over four or so and you have established her size pretty well, you can stock up ahead of time whenever there are sales.”

Myth: Never buy shoes that are too big

Truth: Dr. Altmann says that it’s OK to go up a half a size or so when buying shoes for your child. “This is a good way to stretch out the life of your child’s shoes when their feet are growing rapidly,” she says. Just make sure that your child can walk well in the shoes without tripping.

BABY NEEDS A NEW PAIR OF SHOES!
THE REPORTS ARE IN: OUR MOM PANEL REVEALS ITS FAVORITE FOOTWEAR

Best for Infants and Crawlers: Robeez

For pre-walkers and beginning walkers, nothing beats flexible, soft-soled Robeez, the next best thing to bare feet. They slip on easily and stay put, thanks to their strong yet supple elasticized ankle band, and if they get dirty, they can heartily withstand an occasional wash. Their soft leather cushions and protects, flexes with each step; and is breathable to keep feet cool and comfy, and their textured suede soles prevents slipping. The best thing about Robeez, however, may be their adorable, colorful designs —there’s a pair to match virtually any outfit, dressy or causal. In the winter, be sure to check out their fleecy booties.
($26, shoes, $17, booties, www.robeez.com)

Best for Cruisers and Beginning Walkers: Tip Toey Joey

Tip Toey Joeys get high marks from moms who are looking for big kid-looking footwear for babies who are starting to cruise. These super-cute shoes from Brazil feature stretchy, non-tying laces for easy on and off and soft, supple leather with thin, non-slip rubber soles. Their padded leather insoles provide comfort and breathability, while the exclusive stretching heel gives ease and an adjustable fit.
($36 each, www.babystyle.com)

Best for Established Walkers: Stride Rite

There’s a reason why Stride Rite shoes are so ubiquitous: they’re classically styled, ultra-durable and affordably priced. When you buy Stride Rite, you know you get quality. The chain’s Stage 3 shoes offer flex grooves, a cradled footbed and a specially-designed rubber bottom and contoured landing pad for extra stability and traction. With the sole’s soft runner center that distributes pressure throughout the foot, your child will walk comfortably.
Prices vary, visit www.striderite.com to purchase.

—Chelsea Kaplan

Click here to read all about Deputy Editor/Beauty Director Chelsea Kaplan's life with child in her blog, “I'm Somebody's Mother?”