Time flies by, and the baby, who recently could not even hold his head, is already making his first steps. It is time to put on baby’s shoes, and it is up to parents to choose shoes that will not only fit the baby, but will also contribute to the correct formation of his feet and posture.
The best baby shoe manufacturers
Choosing the first shoes is not an easy task for parents. After all, they need to find products that are a perfect fit for the size of the foot of the baby, anywhere will not crease or chafe. The task is complicated by the fact that the baby can not explain whether it is comfortable or not in the new boots. Therefore, parents should understand the feelings of a baby by the way he reacts to an update, as well as the tailoring, quality and weight of the product.
Incorrect footwear choices can interfere with the proper curvature of the foot, lead to ankle deformities, and contribute to spinal curvature. That is why it is so important to find shoes that meet state quality standards and are made to fit the anatomy of baby feet.
The best manufacturers of first shoes are:
- Ecco;
- A magnifying glass;
- Flamingo;
- ShagoVita;
- Viking;
- Minimen;
- Kuoma;
- Antilopa;
- Kotofey.
What parameters to pay attention to when buying
The material
Shoes for the first steps should be made of natural fabrics. In the manufacture of tops for summer and demi-seasonal models for children older than a year are allowed to use synthetic and artificial materials, but with the obligatory presence of a lining and an insole made of natural fabrics.
The lining and insole of the footwear for kids under 7 years old should be made of natural materials. As a last resort, not more than 20% of chemical fibers are allowed.
It is best to choose products made of genuine leather. These shoes will adjust to the shape of the child’s foot, allow air to pass through, allowing the skin to breathe, and protect the foot from temperature extremes. Natural leather is a great option for any season.
A good choice would be nubuck shoes. Natural nubuck – durable and breathable material that retains heat well during the cold season and prevents excessive sweating. But it does require special care. Nubuck shoes should be cleaned with a special brush and treated with moisture-repellent agents.
For the warmer months, you can choose sandals made of thick textile. Fabric models are lightweight, allow the skin to “breathe”, but they are not durable and do not always fix the foot well.
Weight
Baby shoes should be lightweight. Sock heavy shoes worsens the microclimate in which the foot is located, and leads to increased sweating. Moreover, because of the use of such models, the baby will quickly get tired.
Buttock
The heel of children’s shoes must be solid and firm. This is needed to keep the foot well fixed, protect the ankle joint from deformities, distribute the load on the foot, and form correct posture. You can check the firmness of the butt by pushing on it. If you press down on it, it is too soft.
The inside of the back should be covered with soft materials and have no rough seams that can scratch your baby’s delicate skin.
Heel
Shoes for the first steps should have a small heel (0.5-1 cm). It reduces the risk of your baby falling backwards and promotes the formation of a normal arch of the foot.
Foot fixation
The toe of the infant must be firmly fixed. It should not slip on the insole, nor fall out of the boot. So shoes with strong and adjustable clasps should be used.
Tip
The toe of the shoe should be wide, rounded, and closed. This will reduce the chance of your baby falling, prevent the toes from falling out of the shoe and protect him from injury. Toes should feel free.
The sole
It is best to choose models with a flexible and grooved (with grooves of different shapes) sole. Ribbing improves the grip between the shoe and the surface, increasing stability during walking, and therefore, the safety of the child.
Footbed
Many children’s models have a supinator – a small ledge on the footbed. It is thought to help form the arch of the foot and reduce the risk of developing flat feet. But it is not really necessary to buy shoes with a supinator. To prevent flat feet, it is enough for a child to walk on uneven surfaces, “forcing” the muscles and ligaments of the foot to work.
Size
Make sure the shoes fit the size of your feet. Using tight models disrupts blood flow and leads to ingrown toenails. Overly spacious shoes put too much strain on the immature baby feet and poorly fixed the foot.
Make sure to leave a distance of 0.5-1 cm between the thumb and the inner surface of the product. Otherwise, when walking, the toes will be pressed against the sock, making the baby feel uncomfortable.
Tips for choice
- It is not recommended to buy growing-out shoes. In these shoes, the baby’s foot will slide, and he will have to make a lot of effort to make the first steps. The baby will fall down more often and he will start to get blisters. In addition, the presence of a supinator will cause another danger – the improper formation of the arch of the foot.
- Remember that your baby’s feet grow very fast. Over the season it may grow by 1-1.5 sizes. So if you notice redness or abrasions on the skin, it’s time to buy a new pair of shoes.
- Do not buy models made of synthetic materials and leatherette. In these shoes your baby’s foot will sweat, overheat, and just “feel” bad. The best choice will be products made of natural materials. It is acceptable to use artificial membrane insulation in winter models.
- Make sure that the inside of the shoe has no hard seams and protrusions that can rub on the baby’s foot.
- Remember, the younger your baby, the thinner the soles should be.
- In winter shoes soles should be thicker than in demi-season and summer models.
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In the following articles, our experts tell you how to choose the right clothes for babies, the secrets of choosing quality footwear for a baby, and the rules of choosing winter shoes for a child.
