This is a precious moment for any new parent: your happy baby has been eagerly crawling and cruising around the living room floor for the past few months and is now taking the first steps towards becoming a full-fledged toddler. It’s at this point that you’ll consider buying their first pair of shoes – and you’ll want them to be the best first-time walking shoes to provide support and comfort as they explore their surroundings.

From birth, the bones of your baby’s feet are very soft and malleable. Tight shoes can limit their development, leading to further podiatry problems, which means that choosing the right shoes and socks is essential for their little toes to grow properly. However, there’s nothing better than the feeling of a barefoot toddler, so it’s best to let your little feet kick as much as possible for the first few years.

How to fit their first pair of shoes

Did you know that your child’s feet grow two sizes a year until the age of five? This means that newborn, pre-toddler and first-time toddlers need different levels of support. Consider breathable, flexible, and natural materials such as leather, cotton, and canvas that allow air to circulate while providing durability for everyday wear. Once your child begins to walk independently, it’s important to find the perfect match for their growing feet. Follow our handy step-by-step guide to find the perfect first pair of shoes for them.

Step 1:

First, the swing test! Have your child stand upright so that their feet are in their natural position inside the shoe. Then, using your thumb as a guide, gently press down on the end to feel the big toe and have them move the toes to make it easier. It is recommended that you leave 14 mm of growth space for closed-toe shoes.

Step 2:

The next step is to check the width of the shoe. Touch along the outside of the shoe to check for obvious pressure points or squeezing of the material. Similarly, your child should be able to swing their toes freely.

Step 3:

Baby’s feet are naturally rounder and fuller than ours, so it’s crucial to check the depth of your shoes. Drag your thumb across the upper and check that there is enough space between the bridge and the material. Choose shoes with adjustable fasteners, including laces, buckles, or velcro that allow you to adjust to your baby’s feet.

Step 4:

As a final step, have your child sit down and lift their feet to check the heel grip. After gently pulling the shoe down, it should fit snugly against the heel and minimize slippage. Have your child put their shoes on and check that they fit properly. Shoes should hold the foot firmly without gaps, slippage, or pinching.

Baby Boots

Rain and cold snaps can’t match our range of all-weather baby boots. From waterproof to fleece lining, they’ll be your go-to all year round, waiting at the front door in case the weather forecast changes at the last minute. If they’ve already taken their first steps, Bobux’s IWalk booties are designed for little toes. Approved by podiatrists, these luscious boots are fitted with a fluffy lining and adjustable velcro for a comfortable fit. Donsje’s mini moccasin boots are cute, perfect for keeping warm in cold weather. They’re handcrafted from soft nubuck leather with a cosy faux fur lining and rabbit ears that are stunning to the touch. In addition, these boots are designed to support your child at every stage. For smaller feet, they come with a suede outsole that’s perfect for supporting walking and allowing the toes to flex freely. As they get bigger, the rubber soles provide extra durability for their first steps in the outdoors. Sudden downpour? No problem. Choose the rain boots from EN FANT and CeLaVi for a dip in the puddle.

Sneaker

Choosing your first pair of sneakers is a fun task for any parent. There’s nothing cuter than seeing your favorite sneaker style shrunk down to miniature proportions (tiny laces for us). In addition to cuteness, comfort is always the primary consideration when it comes to first-time walking shoes. Our friends at Tip Toey Joey are experts in this area. The brand’s line of training shoes is known for smart features such as FreetoGrow™ (which helps strengthen muscles and bones) and ThintoFeel™(which mimics the sensation of learning Xi walking barefoot, ensuring that little feet are supported in the early stages of development). The design is also very cute. We especially love these two-tone trainers, which come with elasticated laces for easy on. Understandably, Velcro is also a popular choice for early children’s shoes, and we have a lot of easy-to-fasten styles that make them stand out from brands like Chloé, Geox, VEJA, and more. Don’t forget to bring a few pairs of baby socks to help keep their feet fresh and reduce friction.

Special Occasion Shoes

The child spends most of the day exploring the house and garden barefoot, or at least wandering around in socks. But when the occasion calls for their best outfit, you’ll find our collection of smart shoes waiting to take their look from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Familiar names like Mayoral and Tip Toey Joey prove that fashion doesn’t have to sacrifice comfort. The material is soft and stretchy, the fasteners are adjustable, and the footbed is cushioned to keep your feet happy from the main event to the dancefloor. To give their outfits a classic effect, Early Days’ traditional baby brogues tie their entire look together. Crafted from supple faux leather, these timeless designs are fitted with lace-up detailing and ankle support to help them explore the world. There are also a variety of colors to choose from, including this lacquered black, which is perfect for pairing with special wedding outfits or making everyday outfits even more stylish. Now, we can’t guarantee that your child will wear them throughout the event, but at least they will look perfectly matched when taking photos.