We know you love to dress up your cuddly child with cute little somethings. Baby shoes and boots are one of those much required fashion accessories that make your sunshine look not just adorable,

but also help in keeping his feet warm and clean. Read on to find out what to keep in mind while finding that perfect pair...

Words Ushnota Paul
Visuals Mother & Baby Picture Library\

It is an amazing feeling to watch your little tot take his first wobbly step, and then come running towards you with his arms outstretched. This is when you need to start shopping for some cute baby shoes, because it can be unsafe to let him walk around barefoot. You’ll get a lot of stylish options in the stores, available in different price ranges and brands. How do you choose? We give you the lowdown...

WHAT TO CHECK WHEN BUYING A PAIR
Material: While buying shoes for your baby, it is of utmost importance to buy shoes made from breathable material, or else his petite feet might get sweaty and uncomfortable. Canvas (in the dry weather), leather, suede and sheepskin are ideal materials, whilst plastic, imitation leather, or other materials that can cause excessive sweating, should be avoided. “The shoes should be flexible, roomy, soft, light-weight and breathable,” opines Dr Bina Pansare, practising Mumbai paediatrican.
Safety: In order to prevent slippery accidents, make sure that the shoes have non-skid bottoms and flexible soles. They should be flexible yet have a good grip around the ankles, so that his feet get the support they need and his movements are not restricted. “Soft-soled shoes which hold the foot properly are the best for babies who have just started to walk. Avoid buying slippers as they tend to slip out of the feet,” advises Dr Sameer Desai, paediatric orthopedic surgeon in KEM Hospital, Pune. Do not compromise on the comfort and the safety factor while buying shoes for your baby, just because you find a particular pair cute or fashionable. The texture, pattern, size should be kept in mind before purchasing shoes. During the growing years of your baby, the priority is to provide him with comfort and safety, more than following what is fashionable and what is not. Mums sometimes go overboard and buy heels and beaded shoes for their little daughters, thinking it looks cute. But this should strictly be avoided. According to Dr Pansare, “Kids often play with their shoes, and your little one could swallow the beads or any small decorative object on the shoe. It is very dangerous. Heels should also be avoided, since they can cause sprain and foot disabilities. Stiff, compressive shoes can cause deformity, weakness and loss of mobility in your child’s foot. You must ensure that the shoes are not constricting his feet or toe movements,” warns Dr Pansare. Dr Desai agrees, adding, “Open shoes, very heavy shoes, shoes with heels should completely be avoided. High heels can cause ankle sprains and ligament injuries to the child.” Also, do not hurry and start buying shoes, if your baby has still not started walking properly. Socks, booties or even bare feet are fine till then to keep his feet warm and clean. Dr Pansare affirms this and says, “Shoe wearing in early childhood can be detrimental  to healthy foot development.”

Convenience: Lace-up shoes should also be avoided as it is harder for him to take them off, and he might trip and fall if the laces come undone. Shoes with Velcro closures are the best bet, since your child can learn to wear and remove them fairly quickly.
Size: While buying the shoes, make your child try them out and walk around the store for a while. Notice if he is comfortable walking in them, or whether they are hindering his movement and actions. Once you take off the shoes, check his feet to see whether the grip was too tight or too loose. In order to find out the perfect fit, you should be able to put your pinky finger in between the heel of the shoe and your baby’s foot. “There should be at least one adult thumb-width of space between the end of your baby’s toe and the shoe. The shoes should be more or less quadrangular shaped, and should not have arch support or stiff sides,” says Dr Pansare. If you are buying slip-ons make sure they do not come off easily when the baby walks. At the same time, they should not be too tight and restrict movements either. Inspect the insides of the shoes, and make sure that they are soft and don’t have any hard or sharp parts sticking out, which may hurt your baby’s feet. The shoe sole should be soft and flexible but thick enough for protection while allowing the foot to move as freely as possible. Just bend the shoe at the ball. If it bends very easily, then you know you can buy that pair. Your baby grows at an alarming rate, so it is always better to buy a size little bigger, than something which is absolutely exact. This way, you can make your bundle of joy wear those cute booties a wee bit longer!

WHEN TO GO SHOE SHOPPING
As you might have already understood by now, shoe shopping is a time-consuming affair. If you want your naughty tot to be a patient shoe model, then you better keep a lot of time on hand. Since he needs to try out at least three to four pairs of shoes before zeroing down on the right one, keep the shopping at a time of the day when your prince is in high spirits and a good mood. It can be done after he has taken a good nap and is as excited as you are to buy a new pair of shoes.

HOW OFTEN TO BUY
Every child has different growth rates, so it is difficult to say how often you should shop for shoes for your baby. But it is good to check the fit of your baby’s shoes at least once every month. You can expect to buy new shoes almost every two to six months. In case of wear and tear on the shoes, and if you find a hole on the sides, do not think twice and dispose the pair off immediately. It can be unsafe for your child to walk around in them. M&B

ARCHES OF THE FOOT...
The arches allow the foot, to support the weight of the body in an erect posture with the least weight. “Children should be encouraged to walk barefoot on grass and uneven surfaces. This helps in the development of the muscles of the foot, which in turn helps in the development of arches of the foot. Normal arch of the foot is seen to develop between two to four years. Running, skipping and jumping are other forms of exercises that must be encouraged which help in development of arches of foot,” says Dr Desai. Walking barefoot will help him walk better. He feels the ground, and this in turn helps in understanding various senses that go to the brain from the foot. “You should remember that optimum foot development occurs in a barefoot environment. Thus shoe design should be selected based on the barefoot size,” says Dr Pansare. In case his arch is not seen by the time he is two to three years old, then you should consult a doctor for special shoes, opines Dr Desai. “Shoes with a firm sole should be used. Special shoes with an additional medial arch (a bump on the inner side) is not a must in all cases,” he reassures.