☼ Wait to buy shoes until your child starts to walk  Research suggests that children develop healthy, well-developed feet when they learn to walk barefoot  Keep their feet toasty and unrestricted with soft booties or warm skid-free socks  Robeez makes thin but warm leather moccasins in a range of colors and sizes that actually stay on little crawlers' feet
☼ When it's time for your baby's first pair of shoes, take your well - rested, recently fed child to a quality children's shoe store that stock brands such as Stride Rite and Elefanten  The best stores have patient and knowledgeable salespeople who are expert at fitting children's feet
☼Have the salesperson measure the length and width of both of the child's feet  Many babies have an extra wide foot and may need a special size
☼Make sure the shoes aren't too big, which can cause a baby to trip  First shoes should be soft and pliable to let new walkers feet the ground