When the time comes to give your baby their first pair of shoes, how do you find the right one among the dozens of models that you can admire in the windows?
It is better not to give in only to an aesthetic crush, but also to be vigilant on a few key points!
During his first months, your baby does not need shoes: direct contact with the ground, barefoot, in socks or soft leather slippers, allows him to find his balance more easily and gradually strengthen his little ones. feet.
But when he stands up and takes his first steps (approximately between 9 and 18 months depending on the child), the time has come to give him his first real pair of shoes!
An important choice, for the comfort of your baby but also for the good development of his feet.
FIRST SHOES: RIGID OR SOFT?
At the time of the first steps, your baby's feet are still naturally flat and his legs are slightly arched.
It has long been thought that to help the arch of the foot form and the legs to straighten, babies' shoes should have a rigid counter and a marked arch.
Most models offered commercially today are still of this type.
However, in recent years, research in podiatry has tended to prove that baby's feet never develop better than bare: the ideal would be direct contact with the ground, which gives better balance and helps little feet build muscle. and the arch of the foot to form naturally.
But of course, there is no question of leaving your child barefoot outside... To ensure their comfort, prevent them from slipping and protect their feet, several brands now offer soft shoes, in leather or canvas to let them breathe the skin, equipped with a light and flexible sole.
If possible, choose a model with Velcro fasteners, which adapt finely to the shape of the foot and are easy to attach or undo by the child themselves.
THE RIGHT SIZE We are sometimes tempted to choose shoes that are a little big so that they last longer...
A mistake to avoid! Uncomfortable, shoes that are too big could also compromise your little one's still precarious balance. Your shoe fitter will certainly be able to offer you a pedometer to measure your feet precisely.
FROM ONE SIZE TO ANOTHER Although chubby, babies' feet are not very sensitive.
Your little one will therefore probably not realize when their shoes become too small.
It's up to you to check regularly by pressing on the front of the shoe when he is standing: a good centimeter should remain empty between his toes and the end of the shoe.
Please note that up to 3 years old, it will change size approximately every 4 months: a nice collection of models in perspective!
During his first months, your baby does not need shoes: direct contact with the ground, barefoot, in socks or soft leather slippers, allows him to find his balance more easily and gradually strengthen his little ones. feet.
But when he stands up and takes his first steps (approximately between 9 and 18 months depending on the child), the time has come to give him his first real pair of shoes!
An important choice, for the comfort of your baby but also for the good development of his feet.