First of all, we need to know that babies walk differently to adults. Babies walk with their heels and toes on the ground almost at the same time and have to balance carefully with small steps from side to side. As the foot muscles are not yet fully developed and are relatively soft, this is of course a very different way of walking to that of an adult. This is why babies' heels and toes are under more strain than adults can imagine.
The bones of an infant's feet are mostly calcified cartilage, the bone tissue is flexible and easily deformed, plus the epidermis of the foot is thinly keratinised and the muscles are watery, making them susceptible to injury and infection. A good shoe can protect the arch of the foot, cushion most of the shock generated by the ground when walking, and protect not only the ankle, knee, waist and spine, but also the brain from damage caused by shock.
Secondly, babies can learn to walk in two periods: the early toddler stage and the toddler stage. Children of different ages have different gait characteristics and therefore need to make appropriate adjustments in the standard of children's shoes to meet the growth needs of children.
I. Early toddler stage (before 15 months)
Babies before 15 months of age are in the early stages of crawling and toddling.
They are trying to stand up and walk.
At this stage, babies should be encouraged to go barefoot indoors to allow their feet to come into direct contact with the ground to increase their sense of grip and develop balance.
For insulation and to prevent foot injury, indoor shoes with thin soles and soft bodies are also encouraged to maintain a grip on the ground.
Outside, where the ground is complex, protective outdoor walking shoes are recommended to protect your baby's feet and maintain a certain level of grip.
Key points: bare feet, not too thick soles
2. Toddler period (after 15 months)
After about 15 months, babies are in the toddler stage and start to walk more. However, as their gait is not yet stable, they are encouraged to wear toddler walking shoes that allow the forefoot to bend easily.
Recommended toddler walking shoes are those with a mesh body and a thin, soft sole that allows the shoe to flex easily. They are easy to start walking and help to develop a proper gait.
Key points: thin and soft soles, easy to bend
In fact, when choosing children's shoes and children's clothing, not only should they look good and be comfortable to wear, they should also be conducive to the child's development and healthy growth, in line with the growth and development of the child's feet and physiological characteristics. The overall principle is to be comfortable, lightweight and breathable, and the colours and patterns should be lively and bright, in line with the childlike psychology of children.
So how do I choose my baby's toddler shoes?
Every step of a baby's growth from 0-3 years old has different requirements for shoes, so parents should not only choose the right shoes for their baby, but also choose a good pair of shoes.
What makes a good pair of shoes is that you need to remember these 5 criteria:
1. The mouth of the shoe should be large, and the toe should be wide
The baby's feet are soft and do not know how to cooperate, so when putting on the baby's shoes, the mother can not just force. A wide shoe opening is more convenient to send the baby's feet into the shoe, and will not damage the baby's little feet. When babies first learn to stand, their toes are open, so the toe of the shoe (last) should be wide and fat, so that the baby's toes can be fully extended.
2、Easy to adjust the elasticity and comfort
Velcro fastened shoes mostly cover the whole foot and are easy to put on and take off, which is currently the main trend in baby shoes.
However, shoes with laces are easier to adjust the tightness of the shoe according to the shape of your baby's foot. However, it is important to note that the laces must be tied tightly, otherwise it is easy to trip. It would be best if the Velcro fasteners were able to adjust the position of the sticky buckle, which is both convenient and practical.
3. The front of the shoe should be bendable
As a toddler, your baby will walk with the whole foot on the ground, so you need to be patient and guide your baby to walk with the heel on the ground and the toes. If the front end of the shoe is soft and bendable, your baby's steps will be smoother. When buying shoes, you can break the front part of the shoe with your hand to check if it is soft enough.
4. You must let your baby try on and walk
You will only know if the shoes fit and don't fit until you try them on. When buying, you must let your baby try them on and take two steps, if they are not uncomfortable.
5、Shoe size should be slightly bigger
Babies' feet grow especially fast, so to ensure that your baby's shoes fit comfortably, it is recommended that you measure your baby's feet every 2 months. When buying shoes, choose shoes that are 5-10mm larger than the actual size, where the baby's toes touch the tip of the shoe and the heel can be stuffed into the adult's pinky finger.