| When your baby is born, he or she is already born with | | | | were made of leather and fitted her foot perfectly but, |
| the capacity to learn abilities that are vital to their | | | | the soles were slippery and she did not feel confident |
| development. Since day one, your baby knows that he | | | | walking on any surface. She had a hard time on tile |
| or she needs to be fed, needs to be nurtured and | | | | and hardwood floors. |
| loved. Throughout the first months, your baby will learn | | | | Since then, I realized that there is a need for the right |
| how to strengthen the muscles in preparation to the | | | | shoe when your child starts walking. Buying the right |
| day when he or she takes their first steps. Sitting, | | | | shoe is an important step towards helping your child |
| rolling over and crawling are all part of the preparation | | | | gain confidence. There are so many to choose from, it |
| necessary for the big day when your baby starts | | | | can be confusing. Here are a few things I have learned |
| walking. | | | | to look when shoe shopping for toddlers that are |
| Whether you are a first time parent, there are certain | | | | taking their first steps: |
| needs that your child requires for these new | | | | 1 - It's important that the shoes have rubber grips on |
| experiences they are about to go through. As your | | | | the sole. These grips look like mini "cleats". I have seen |
| child pulls herself up on furniture, walks along the edge | | | | some that look like the rubber is just printed onto the |
| of couch while holding on to it, she is building the | | | | fabric. Those types are less effective and are not |
| confidence she needs to one day gain balance while | | | | made for outdoor use. |
| standing by himself and take the first necessary steps | | | | 2 - Look for shoes that are made for indoor and |
| and learn how to walk without support. | | | | outdoor use. You will notice that most are not made |
| Isabella, my daughter, took her first steps at 9 months. | | | | for outdoor use, that's because they look more like crib |
| At the time, we were astonished that she learned that | | | | shoes. It is essential that your child learns to walk in all |
| ability so early. At the same time, we had provided her | | | | surfaces, inside and outside the house, in shoes that |
| with the necessary tools that allowed her to build her | | | | are comfortable to them. |
| confidence more easily. We had given her proper | | | | 3 - Look for shoes that will match the majority of the |
| shoes, with grip soles that helped her walk on slippery | | | | clothes they own. They will be wearing these shoes |
| surfaces without falling. She had toys and furniture that | | | | until they feel confident enough to walk in any shoe. In |
| she could walk around before learning to balance | | | | a nut shell, they will be wearing their "walking shoes" |
| without support. | | | | for a long time and therefore, need to go with the |
| Ariel, our second daughter walked at 12 months. I don't | | | | clothes they have. You can buy 2 or 3 pairs of the |
| believe that she is in any way, less intelligent. I do | | | | same brand in different colors if that helps. |
| believe that I did not offer her the tools she needed for | | | | 4 - Buy a high quality shoe, even if that means you are |
| her confidence to be built. Ariel is bigger than Isabella | | | | spending a little bit more. It's worth it! Your child will be |
| and therefore, grew out of Isabella's shoes fairly | | | | wearing those shoes for a long time and if you buy a |
| quickly. I had a hard time buying shoes for her, her foot | | | | cheaper shoe, they will not last long and you will find |
| is bigger and wider and the only option was the | | | | yourself shoe shopping sooner than you would like. |
| famous leather crib shoes which, although were very | | | | As you follow these guidelines, I'm sure you will find the |
| stylish, did not offer the support she needed. They | | | | perfect shoe for your walking baby. |