Three Tips for Buying First Shoes for Baby

As your baby learns to cruise in preparation for learning to walk, feeling the floor beneath her feet will help keep her balance. And despite what Aunt Ethel might tell you, the first shoes your baby wears don't need to give her ankle support, no matter if she's a prewalker or a new one (turns out ankle-hugging shoes can be a little too stiff or tight for newly mobile munchkins). So no need to hold out for high-tops when you're buying baby's first shoes — her muscles need room to develop and strengthen all on their own. When you're dressing your baby, stick with socks or booties to keep her little piggies warm when you need to, but let her go barefoot whenever you can.

Still, every tiny tot needs some shoes with style once in a while. For special occasions and baby outings, you may want to strap on a sweet pair of Mary Janes or a cute summer sandal before you buckle her into the stroller. Whatever you choose, remember these shoe smarts before buying first shoes for your baby:

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• Flexibility: The first shoes your little one wears should have soles that are super-soft. Make sure you can bend and twist them every which way, and even feel your baby's toes right through the leather.
• Breathability: Speaking of leather — stick to it, or opt for fabric or canvas shoes to ensure those feet get some air. Plus, these fabrics are much more flexible and provide better support for your sweetie's feet. No plastic please (no matter how cute they look)!
• Roominess: When you're buying baby's first shoes (and toddler shoes too), make sure they each pass the thumb test — see if you can fit your thumb in between your baby's biggest toe and the end of the shoe (press down on it from the outside while she's wearing it). And the first shoes should also pass the pinch test — at the shoe's widest point, you want to be able to grasp a bit of its material between your fingers.