Baby’s
First Shoes: How to Choose the Right Ones
Released on
= August 26, 2005, 8:07 am
Press Release
Author = Tricia O'Connell
Industry = Apparel
& Fashion
Press Release
Summary = Any parent of an active toddler has asked this question:
“When should my child start wearing shoes?”
Press Release
Body = Any parent of an active toddler has asked this question:
“When should my child start wearing shoes?”
There is no
clear consensus. Some parents buy shoes as soon as their baby pulls
herself into a first tentative stand; others wait as long as possible,
preferring not to constrict their children’s feet.
“As a
general rule, kids will need shoes when they are ready to start
walking around outdoors,” says Peggy Wells, who is both a
mother and president of Pip Squeakers, a children’s shoe company.
“You will want something that protects your baby’s feet
but still allows for some flexibility,” she explains.
For parents
contemplating purchasing their baby’s first shoes, here are
some suggestions for things to consider from the experts at http://www.parentsplace.com
and http://www.pipsqueakers.com:
* Make sure
you get the proper fit. Shoes that are too tight or too loose could
be painful or cause blisters, and may even hamper walking. Have
your pediatrician measure your child’s feet, during the regular
check-ups. This will provide you with an accurate measurement when
you refer to a shoe company’s sizing chart.
* Avoid stiff,
high-top leather shoes; there is no evidence that they help babies
walk. Instead, look for something soft and flexible that allows
your baby to use the movement of his feet to maintain balance and
to walk. They should be made from canvas or some other breathable
material, and have flat, flexible, non-slip soles.
* Get shoes
your child likes. Pip Squeakers shoes make a pleasing “squeak”
that children enjoy. “It encourages them to move, walk and
explore their surroundings,” says Wells, who adds that children
enjoy creating the amusing sounds with each step. An added benefit
is safety: the sound allows parents to more easily track the
movements of their toddler and keep them within a close radius.
* Safe closures.
Make sure that your baby’s shoes fasten well. Double-knot
laces so that they are less likely to come undone and make sure
buckle straps are secure without being too tight. Velcro fasteners
are the easiest option.
* It is normal
to have a slight discrepancy in foot size between the two feet;
you want to make sure to go with the shoe size that fits the larger
foot. Allow about one-half inch of space at the end of the longest
toe to the end of the shoe. The toes should be able to wiggle freely,
and the heel should not slip with normal walking.
* Get the shoe
that is most comfortable for your child, even if it is not the same
size that the measurement device indicates. Be aware that sizing
differs with each shoe company, so refer to their respective sizing
charts. It is advisable to inspect the shoe fit every couple of
weeks, to insure the continuing comfort of your child’s feet.
Because of their
unique ability to make sounds, Pip Squeakers shoes may be of interest
to parents of children with disabilities who may have vision or
mobility problems.
Web Site = http://www.pipsqueakers.com
Contact Details
= Tricia O'Connell is a special needs teacher, and is now in her
20th year of teaching. She is also the co-founder of Pip Squeakers.
For more information on children’s shoes and Pip Squeakers,
visit http://www.pipsqueakers.com or call (866) 722-4535.
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