When To Buy Baby Walking Shoes
November 14, 2025 -When your child is walking confidently outdoors or in places like daycare or the grocery store. Or if you notice signs of excessive flat feet, joint hypermobility, or delayed standing milestones. When your baby starts walking, choose shoes that: are lightweight and flexible (remember to avoid hard, stiff shoes that restrict foot movement) This develops muscle and bone development in the feet, which also gets them ready for crawling, bouncing, and soon walking.
It is important your baby has space for free moving feet. 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. The best-fitting baby walking shoes promote healthy feet and protect them from injury.
Even if your baby hasn't reached the walking stage quite yet, it’s imperative to take measures to safeguard their feet early on, so they’re ready for an active lifestyle once they reach the toddler years. March 21, 2024 -Now that your little one has started to walk unaided, they’ll be at it all the time - but it’s important to remember that they’re hardly an expert at this stage. They probably look really cute, with splayed feet and reaching arms as they toddle from place to place.
At this stage, it’s good to get your baby used to wearing high quality, supportive shoes with comfortable, well-gripping soles. Check out our Walking Masterclass: Everything you need to know to get your little one taking those first steps! This is one of the most common questions I get, so let’s start here! Here’s the thing – barefoot is absolutely best when it comes to foot development and health for the vast majority of children (and adults!) – I’ll talk more about this below. BUT… the reality is that your child WILL need to start wearing shoes at some point, especially as they become more adventurous explorers and begin to navigate a variety of terrains, and especially terrains & environments that may pose a risk of injuries to their feet.
February 25, 2022 -The short answer is no.Your baby does not need shoes until they start walking, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. February 26, 2026 -When babies begin to learn to walk, it’s important to choose a first pair of shoes that will meet them where they are developmentally. We love that these shoes have a more flexible sole so that little ones can get a full range of motion in ...
April 4, 2023 -By the time your baby isbetween 10-16 months, he’ll have been crawling a while before that magical moment when he takes those first steps on his own, When babies start to walk ... September 19, 2024 -Amie agrees there are some situations when your new walker will need shoes. Shoes are also important when you go outside, to the store, or daycare.
Shoes are for protection during the toddler phase, Dr. Amie says. Shoes can protect your toddler's health and prevent injury from hot pavement or sharp objects.
Shoe sizing for babies and toddlers may vary depending on the shoe brand.
