The wide range of shoes for babies, starting from tiny sizes, can be a temptation. However, babies do not need to, and should not, walk in shoes when they do not walk yet . Up to this point, the goal is for the baby feet to be comfortable, protected with socks or other accessories that maintain a correct temperature and that do not compress and restrict movements. Wear shoes At any age, the main purpose of shoes (and other footwear) is to protect the feet during movement - when walking, running, jumping - and thus preventing injuries and problems, whether immediate or future. In babies and children, it is also intended that footwear contributes to adequate growth. Even after they start to walk, babies only need to wear shoes when they walk outside . Indoors, with a regular, non-slippery and clean floor, the ideal thing is for babies to learn to walk barefoot (or with non-slip socks). From 4-6 months, babies start to move more. First, they roll, then they start to sit, first with support, then without it, some crawl on their knees, others never do it and prefer to crawl with strength in their arms, then they stay on their feet and, finally, they take their first steps. In general, the first steps happen around 12-14 months. It is when a baby starts his first steps that it is necessary to think about choosing and buying his first shoes . Choosing baby shoes Shoes must be comfortable and allow all foot movements to be carried out correctly and with stability. Size, materials used, and form are the main items to consider when choosing. For a baby just starting to walk, shoes should: Be of a suitable size , allowing the shoe to fit at the heel and leave some free space in the front, at the tip of the foot.The shoe size should be choosed so that it is slightly greater than the distance from the heel to the tip of the longest toe; Be light , so the baby can walk easily; Be made of leather , to be malleable and adapt well to the foot; Have the edges and seams soft and facing outwards ; Have a regular interior lining , without seams or protrusions that could hurt, and made of a material that does not favor perspiration; Have a flexible and non-slip sole , to improve adherence to the floor and thus prevent the baby from slipping or falling; Have a wide format , so that they do not compress the fingers, making shoes uncomfortable; Be easy to put on and take off . Feet are sensitive and it should not be necessary to force them to get the shoes on or off. The simplest is to have a way to open and close it. Shoes should not be 'inherited' from other babies . For the baby to learn to walk correctly, it is important that he molds his pairs of shoes. If the baby does not feel comfortable in the shoes, it is most common for them to show dissatisfaction when trying to put them on. Author : Ana Paula Sampaio Meet the podology clinical team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
