Is My Baby Ready for Shoes? (for Parents) (2024)

FAQs

Is My Baby Ready for Shoes? (for Parents)? ›

There is no particular age at which your baby will need shoes, but a good rule of thumb is to wait until they've learned to walk and show signs of wanting to be up and about. The general milestone guideline for when a baby begins to walk is: Between 6 and 13 months: crawling.

It's exciting to see your baby getting ready for his first steps, but hold off on that first pair of tiny shoes until he is walking. Shoes are mainly for protecting a baby's feet, especially when walking outdoors. Putting shoes on sooner won't help your baby learn to walk any faster or better.

If you're starting to think about first shoes, chances are that your baby's begun to master the art of cruising. This usually starts between 10 and 18 months (Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, 2017).

Shoes should be lightweight and flexible in the forefoot to allow babies' feet to flex side to side and up and down for their natural foot movement. They should also provide stability in the mid-foot for control, and cushioning in the heel for stability and balance.

That said, at 15 months, most children can walk on their own pretty well, so you can introduce firmer sole shoes. However, you should also keep in mind that children are different and some only gain confidence in walking later than 15 months.

Between 21 and 30 months, children are usually ready to start putting on certain types of shoes with assistance. Putting on socks independently takes longer, and typically happens between 36 and 44 months.

Walking barefoot not only strengthens a child's foot and ankle muscles, it also facilitates proper development of the arches and balance skills while encouraging a natural gait pattern. It is important for a new walker to feel the ground beneath their feet and the differences between carpet, hard floors, grass, etc.

Buying cute shoes that coordinate perfectly with that little outfit just seems to make sense, but babies actually do not need shoes until they are beginning to walk. In fact, wearing shoes can do more harm than good. Babies who don't wear shoes are able to move their feet more freely and learn better balance.

What age should baby be fitted for shoes? ›

There is no particular age at which your baby will need shoes, but a good rule of thumb is to wait until they've learned to walk and show signs of wanting to be up and about. The general milestone guideline for when a baby begins to walk is: Between 6 and 13 months: crawling.

Socks are a must-have for any baby, especially the ones at risk of cold feet. Baby socks will help your infant regulate their body temperature and keep their feet and toes warm during chilly outdoor expeditions. Choose the right fabric for your baby's socks and make sure they fit correctly.

Usually around 7-12 months baby will start pulling themselves up to stand. The object they pull on and use for support can be anything at their height that helps them feel steady, like a piece of furniture or someone's hand.

Key facts. Babies usually start crawling when they are between 7 and 12 months old. Before they can crawl, your baby has to develop skills like head and arm control, sitting up without support, rolling over and holding their weight on their arms and legs.

Newborns can wear socks and mittens, depending on the temperature and their comfort. In colder weather or to prevent scratching, they are helpful. Always ensure they are comfortable and not too tight.

While the average age for babies to start walking is about 12 months, some take their first steps even earlier or much later. “Babies can start walking as early as 9 months,” Dr. Marshall says. “It's also normal for babies to take more time and start walking at 17 or 18 months.”