How to choose the first shoes baby

Time flies by, and the kid, whom recently did not even know how to hold the head, is already taking the first steps. It is time to shoe the baby, and parents have to choose shoes that not only fit the baby, but will also contribute to the proper formation of his foot and posture.

The best manufacturers of children's shoes

Choosing the first shoe is not an easy task for parents. After all, they need to find such products that are ideal for the size of the foot crumbs, anywhere will not reap or rub. The task is complicated by the fact that the baby cannot explain whether it is comfortable for him or not in new shoes. Therefore, parents should understand the feelings of the baby by how he reacts to the new thing, how he puts his feet, as well as tailoring, quality and weight of the product.

The wrong choice of shoes can prevent the formation of proper bending of the foot, lead to deformation of the ankle joint and contribute to the curvature of the spine. Therefore, it is so important to find shoes that meet state quality standards and are made taking into account the anatomical features of baby feet.

The best manufacturers of first shoes are:

Ecco;
Fast walker;
Flamingo;
ShagoVita;
Viking;
Minimen;
Kuoma;
Antilopa;
Kotofey.

What options to pay attention to when buying

Material

Footwear for the first steps should be made of natural fabrics. In the production of summer and demi-season models for children older than one year, it is allowed to use synthetic and artificial materials, but with the obligatory presence of a lining and insoles made of natural fabrics.

Lining materials and insoles for babies under 7 years old must be made from natural materials. In extreme cases, the content is allowed not more than 20% of chemical fibers.

It is best to choose products from genuine leather. Such shoes will adapt to the shape of the foot of the child, let the air through, allow the skin to breathe, and protect the foot from temperature changes. Genuine leather is a great option for any season.

A good choice would be nubuck shoes. Natural nubuck is a durable and breathable material that retains heat well in the cold season and prevents excessive sweating. But he requires special care. Nubuck shoes should be cleaned with a special brush and treated with water-repellent agents.

For the warm season, you can choose sandals from dense textiles. Fabric models have a small weight, allow the skin to "breathe", but they are not very durable and do not always fix the leg well.

Weight

Children's shoes should be lightweight. The sock of heavy shoes affects the microclimate in which the foot is located, and leads to increased perspiration. Moreover, due to the use of such models, the baby will quickly tire.

The backdrop

The backdrop in children's shoes should be solid and firm. This is necessary for good fixation of the legs, protection of the ankle joint from deformation, proper distribution of the load on the foot and formation of a correct posture. The hardness of the backdrop can be checked by pressing on it.If a recess is formed when pressing on it, it means that it is too soft.

The inside of the back should be covered with soft materials and not have rough seams that can scratch the delicate skin of the baby.

Heel

In shoes for the first steps, it is desirable to have a small heel (0.5–1 cm). It reduces the risk of a baby falling back and contributes to the formation of a normal arch of the foot.

Leg fixing

Baby's foot should be securely fixed. She should not slide on the insole, nor fall out of the shoe. Therefore, you should use shoes with strong and adjustable clasps.

Cape

The toe of the shoe should be wide, rounded and closed. This will reduce the likelihood of a baby falling, prevent fingers from falling out of the shoe and protect it from injury. Fingers at the same time should feel free.

Sole

It is best to choose models with flexible and grooved (with grooves of various shapes) sole. Thanks to the grooves, the adhesion between the shoes and the surface is improved, stability is improved during walking, and hence the safety of the child.

Instep

In many children's models there is an instep support - a small protrusion on the insole. It is believed that it helps in the formation of the arch of the foot and reduces the risk of flatfoot. But in fact, it is not necessary to buy footwear with an arch support. For the prevention of flatfoot it is enough that the child walked on uneven surfaces, "forcing" the muscles and ligaments of the foot to work.

The size

Make sure the shoes fit the size of the foot. The use of tight patterns disrupts blood flow and leads to ingrown nails. Too spacious shoes create a large load on the weak legs of the child and poorly fixes the foot.

Make sure that there is a distance of 0.5–1 cm between the thumb and the inner surface of the product. Otherwise, the fingers will be pressed against the toe while walking, which will make the baby feel uncomfortable.

Tips for choosing

It is not recommended to buy shoes for growth. In such shoes, the baby's foot will slide, and he will have to make a lot of effort to take the first steps. The baby will fall more often, and he will begin to appear calluses. In addition, if there is an instep, there will be another danger - the incorrect formation of the arch of the foot.
Remember that the baby's foot grows very quickly. During the season it can grow by 1–1.5 size. Therefore, if you notice redness or abrasions on the skin, it's time to buy a new pair of shoes.
Do not buy models of synthetic materials and leatherette. In such shoes, the baby's foot will sweat, overheat, and just feel bad. The best choice would be products made from natural materials. The use of artificial membrane insulation in winter models is acceptable.
Make sure that there are no hard seams and protrusions on the inside of the shoe that can rub the calf's feet.
Remember, the younger the child, the thinner the sole should be.
In winter boots, the sole should be thicker than in demi-season and summer models.