What Size Shoe Is My Baby

Is Your Baby Ready For Shoes

First, ask yourself if your child is really old enough for shoes. They really dont need them until theyre walking.

Before a baby starts to walk, shoes are only necessary for warmth, says Andersen.

In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics says not wearing shoes is actually beneficial for a babys foot development, and you can probably get by with just socks for keeping their feet warm.

Once your child is upwardly mobile, they may really only need shoes outside or in public places and not at home, where bare feet are probably OK as long as youve baby-proofed.

When they start to take steps, for safety, to protect them from potential foreign bodies, Andersen says. They dont need actual support as toddlers, only protection.

Shoe Shopping Tips For Babies

Before your baby begins to walk, you dont need shoes. During this time, baby shoes such as booties, soft-soled, and socks are best. Once your little one starts to take their first steps, its time fora supportive shoe.

Don’t Rush

• Go for breathable and lightweight: For a new walker, comfort is crucial. Look for something made of cloth or soft faux leather.
• Soft soles: When looking at the shoes, try to bend the soles. If they flex easily, they will provide good support for your new walker. If not, leave them on the shelf.
• Shop in the afternoon: Baby feet tend to swell later in the day. So to ensure the shoe fits perfectly, do your shopping in the afternoon.
• Verify the fit: Try to place your pinky finger in between your babys heel and the back of the shoe while they stand. If it feels tight, the shoe is probably too small.

How To Make Sure The Fit Is Correct

Once you’ve tried on your new baby shoes, you will want to double-check that all that measuring paid off. Here are a few mom tested and approved ways to confirm a perfect fit:

Visual Check

The baby shoes should appear snug and you shouldn’t see them leaving any marks on your child’s feet.

Toe Test

From your baby’s big toe, measure to the tip of the shoe. The longest toe should be between the width of your pinkie and the width of your thumb from the tip of the shoe. Any longer than that and they might trip any less than that and they might be too snug .

This will also depend on the type of shoe, as materials vary. Moccasins are commonly made of leather and will be sturdier than say softer baby booties. The bottom line is that you want to make sure your child’s foot length isn’t restricted by their new baby shoes. If they feel too tight, they probably are !

Test for Width

You should be able to pinch some of the material between your fingers at the widest point. If you can’t do this, then they are too tight. The great thing about soft sole shoes like baby moccasins is that they stretch to fit the width of your child’s feet. Moccs are perfect for both skinny feet and those larger babies who have what we in our family call “Flintstone Feet.”

Pinkie Test

Slide your pinkie between your baby’s heel and the back of the shoe. Your finger should fit without extra room for the best fit.

Recommended Reading: Dress Shoes For Bad Feet

Shoe Shopping Tips For Toddlers

• Bring socks: Unless youre shopping for sandals, your tot will likely have to wear socks with shoes. Use the appropriate socks thick for winter boots and light for summer sneakers. Then the shoe will fit right even when theres extra padding.
• Forget trends: Dont give in to the latest trends of clogs, pointy boots, or high heels. These arent likely to provide any beneficial support to a toddler whos still mastering their walk. Instead, go for something supportive.
• Provide options: Some toddlers want to decide what they wear. If so, find a few different, but appropriate, shoes and ask your little one to choose which they like best.
• Opt for Velcro: A hook and loop closure such as Velcro is much easier for a toddler to put on without assistance. This way, your child learns how to put on shoes, and you save time otherwise wasted tying shoelaces.

What Are The Best Shoes For Children

Did you know that over 65% of kids are wearing shoes that are too small for their feet? The concern here is that by wearing poorly fitting shoes, kids can develop foot deformities like hallux valgus. If this type of condition sounds like something that would be a rare occurrence, think again. According to the National Health Institute, 30 percent of kids have foot deformities that are irreversible.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends shoes that are neither too big nor too small. Likewise, stiff or airtight shoes are very bad for childrens foot development.

Childrens shoes should be made of soft material and allow the feet to breathe.

Shoes should allow the foot to breathe: Only a footbed made of leather and natural materials is suitable for childrens shoes, because it allows for air circulation and can prevent sweating.

Synthetic fabrics, on the other hand, make childrens feet sweat, which stands in the way of their foot health. Healthy foot development needs, not only, freedom of movement, but also, adequate air circulation.

If shopping for kids shoes, also watch out for brands that offer a wider toe box and shoe tabs of various length to provide a better fit for varying instep or girth size.

Also Check: Are Valentino Sneakers True To Size

Kids Shoe Sizes By The Numbers

Shopping for kids shoes doesnt seem like it should be overly difficult, but, unfortunately, figuring out kids shoe sizes can often be a confounding process. To help clear things up, here are the most important things to understand about kids shoe sizes:

Toddlers sizes run from 013: The smallest sizes in this range are tiny baby shoes, but the larger sizes often fit kids who are 4 or 5 years old or even older. Important: These shoes are often marked with T for toddler up to size 7 . Sizes 813 are typically marked with Kids .

Bigger kids sizes run from 17 : Heres where lots of parents get tripped up. Shoes for bigger kids start at size 1 and run up to 7, creating the confusing fact that a size 1 shoe is the next size up from a size 13 shoe . Sometimes shoe brands will help you out by having their 17 toddler sizes marked with T and their other sizes designated as Kids. Thats how you tell little toddler shoes from kids’ shoes even if they have the same number. For example, if you see a shoe thats available in size 5 Kids, you know thats the bigger kids’ 5, not a toddlers’ 5.

Not all brands and retailers use the same language:

Benefits Of Soft Sole Baby Shoe Size

Whereas you searching Best tap shoes for wide feet one exact measuring size shoe for your child and confuse how to tell my babys shoe size. Soft sole and comfortable shoes also one foremost requirement that has a lot of benefits and easiness in wearing. Lets See Whats My Babys Shoe Size!

Soft soles shoes are usually made of premium quality leather and suede that is comfortable and durable. Also, help children to put on shoes all the time and help them in walking.

Easy elasticized shoe with ankle support is supportive to keep the shoe stay on and off. Ankle support design helps them both in use to put on and off and also protective from injuries.

Flexible and soft shoes allow enough space to grow and are more grip to walk with balancing feet.

Suede and leather material usually slip resistant which is one amazing choice babies who just started learning to walk.

Read Also: Dhgate Customs

How Often To Size Your Kids Feet

Tiny tootsies grow fast between the ages two and six, their feet can grow up to half a size every two to four months. Experts recommend that up until four years, you make a shoe change every two to three months. To ensure the size is correct, look to measure their feet every two months .

After their fourth birthday, foot growth does slow down a bit, and they may not need a shoe change that often. Experts recommend every four to six months. However, continue sizing their feet at least every three to four months.

Next Step: Test If Your Kids Shoes Fit Nice & Well

Once you’ve shopped and tried on your new baby shoes, youll have to double-check that all that measuring we did before actually paid off. Here are a few small tips & tricks on how to test it out:

Most shoes that dont fit well should be easily identified just by the naked eye: Do the shoes leave marks on the babys feet? Do they appear to fit snugly? Are they too loose? Or maybe too tight? Make sure you turn the shoes upside down or inside out if you can, anything to check that theyre the proper size.

If the shoes fit a bit too tight when you first put them on your babys feet, then they might actually become too small in a very short while. Babies outgrow their closets sooo fast! So heres one thing you can do: take out the insole of the shoe and measure it then, compare it to the measurements you have for your babys toes to the tip of the insole – there should be enough space to fit approximately 12mm, at least. If its any longer than that, then the shoes will be too big for your baby. And if its less, then theyre too small!

Preferably, the shoes should fit snugly enough that youre able to pinch a bit of the material at the widest point. Most barefoot shoes have a very flexible material that usually stretches to fit the feet.

You May Like: Priority Mail Shoe Box Price To Ship

How Will I Know If The Shoes Fit Correctly

This can be kinda tough, since, you know, depending on your kids age, they wont be able to give you a heads up whether or not the shoe feels good. Thankfully, there are a couple of key fit checks that you can do to be sure that your babys shoes are just right for their feet. If you would like more information on picking the proper fit for your babys feet, you can check out what parents or doctors have to say on the subject.

What If A Toddler Can’t Try On Shoes

While the best way to ensure you’re getting the correct shoes for your baby is to try them on, there are times when that’s not possible. Maybe you’re buying baby shoes as a gift and you found the perfect pair but it’s a U.K .or European brand. Or, maybe you found a deal online you just can’t pass up. Whatever your reason, you’ll need a chart to help you determine which shoe size to buy for the special baby in your life.

You May Like: Dansko Plantar Fasciitis Review

Sizing Guide For Baby And Toddler Shoes

Choosing the right size shoe for your little one as they are learning to walk need not be a difficult task, and a good baby shoe size guide can help. To keep it simple and consistent, our beautiful baby, toddler and children’s shoes follow Australian sizing. However, to make it easier for everyone, we’ve included a handy sizing conversion table / chart so that you can easily convert and compare between European, American, UK and Australian sizes.

All you need to do is measure your child’s foot from heel to the tip of their big toe and add about 1cm for growing. Handy hint: We sometimes find it easier to put their feet on a piece of blank paper, trace around it and then measure after.

Then order your required size based off the cm measurement . If your baby is between sizes or you aren’t completely sure, select the larger size. They do grow quite quickly!

How To Find The Perfect Fit For Baby Shoes

Each kids feet grow another way and at separate times. In fact, it is normal that your babys feet can be larger or smaller than the suggested size for his or her age. Thats why you should measure your babys feet every few months and double-check the measurements with the size chart from the specific shoe brands.

You can measure your childrens feet at home using a tape measure or a ruler. Keep in mind that your childs feet should be fully extended, and his/her toes are not curled during the measurement.

To get his/her foot length, measure from his heel the longest toe. There is no need to worry if your final measurements are a little bit different as it is completely normal for both children and adults. The longest toe measurement will be the shoe size in the chart.

In fact, the recommended baby shoe size will be a little bit bigger than your kids foot to offer extra room for longer use and healthy foot growth. If you are wondering between two sizes, it is always recommended to choose the bigger size. In the end, it is best to choose a size based on your kids foot measurements.

You May Like: Where Are Hoka Shoes Made

Baby Clothes Size And Age Chart

Buying baby clothes is a lot like playing the lottery you hedge your bets on a number, and hope it’s the right one.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. While it’s true that babies grow really fast, it is possible to buy clothes for them that will fit – at least for now. Use our size and age chart to help determine what size you should buy.

Remember: when in doubt, make your purchase based on weight and height rather than age! It’s always safe to go one size bigger, except in the case of baby sleepwear.

US Size and Age Chart

What Is The Difference Between Size 13 And 1

There is not much difference between size 13 kids shoes and 1 adult. In terms of sizing there is only approx. 1/2 inch difference between 13C and 1Y. In the US, the kids shoe size system switches to the youth respectively mens shoe size system after size 13 kids shoes. Then it restarts counting at 1.

Also Check: When Do Raffles Open For Shoes

How To Measure Baby Feet For Shoes

Its a well-known fact that ill-fitting shoes can have a severe impact on your child’s foot health for years to come. Crazy, right? But dont worry – weve got you covered!

Kids grow fast – and their feet grow just as fast too. Heres a fun fact: in the first 3-4 years, childrens feet grow up to 2 sizes per year. And by the time your little ones are ready to go to school, their feet will be growing about 1 size per year. Obviously, though, every kid is different and grows differently, so the actual numbers may vary. Thats why its essential you know how to measure your babys feet accurately and regularly.

Not only does the correct fitting of the shoes protect foot growth, helping kids feel safe and comfortable, but wearing the right shoes in the right size gives children the help they need to learn to walk around the world freely and confidently.

Should Babies Wear Shoes When Crawling

When your baby is just a newborn or in the infant stage, wearing shoes is still unnecessary. When theyre crawling, soft socks or at most, non-skid socks with soles will work just fine. This will allow them to move more freely and not worry about supporting the weight of the shoes. Also, no matter how you put it, shoes will still fall off their tiny feet.

Also Check: Orthopedic Shoes For Wide Feet

Tips On Shopping For Children’s Shoes

At four years old your child’s foot will be double the size it was at birth. Children’s shoes can have slightly firmer soles than a toddler’s shoe, but there should still be plenty of flexibility. Pronation control is healthy for adult feet. For a kid’s feet, a little bit of arch support goes a long way. Never try to correct a child’s walking gait without a podiatrist’s informed diagnosis and recommendation. Even though your child is older, their feet will still be growing rapidly. Between age four and five most children’s feet grow at least a half a shoe size every four to five months. You can buy your child’s shoes a little large for their feet, but avoid buying shoes that are more than one size too big or the shoe will become a tripping hazard. When choosing between children’s shoe uppers, breathable materials like leather and canvas are best. Children’s feet often sweat a lot.

Find Your Babys Shoe Size

Every baby grows at their own unique pace. To help find their shoe size, you can consider your little ones stage or use their measurements. For more tips, refer to our Gerber ChildrenswearSizing Guide. We have shoes for baby boys and baby girls in 0-3M, 3-6M and 6-9M sizes. Our chart can help you to find the approximate size:

• 0-3 Months: Shoe Size 1 / 3.5 sole length
• 3-6 Months: Shoe Size 2 / 3.75 sole length
• 6-9 Months: Shoe Size 3/ 4.125 sole length

Measuring your babys sole length with a soft tape measure is another way to help you find the right fit. Once you discover the ideal shoes, you may also want a similar size of baby socks. Like baby shoes, the right size for your child may vary depending on their stage.

Read Also: Create Your Own Shoes For Free