Baby shoes: what size for what size and at what age?

Before the acquired walk: barefoot as much as possible, or in non-slip socks

Barefoot as much as possible! This is the watchword to keep in mind as long as the baby does not walk outside without help. We have thousands of sensory sensors in the feet, which will help our child to acquire his balance little by little. Putting shoes on him while crawling, crawling, or barely standing is useless, if not dangerous. Embarrassed, even hampered in its movements, baby risks falling.

If we fear that baby will catch a cold because of the frozen tiles (although we do not catch a cold by the feet, remember), we can opt for non-slip socks and / or soft slippers, for example in leather, with a naturally non-slip sole. The whole thing being that baby has close contact with the ground and its roughness, so that baby keeps a feeling of bare feet.

What size of shoes should I choose for my baby according to his age?

On the internet, there are many correspondence tables indicating the size of the baby according to his age. Warning : these are only averages, do not panic if baby has small feet or, on the contrary, his size corresponds to the upper age group.

In addition, when choosing a pair of shoes for your baby or child, you take care beforehand to measuring the size of his feet (see paragraph below), and if possible to know the length available in the shoe. So that we can know the remaining space in the shoe. It is advisable to leave 0,8 to 1,2 cm of margin, so that the foot can unroll and spread without difficulty. That is, a sole of 12,8 to 13,2 cm for a foot that is 12 cm long. We change shoe size when he stays less than 0,5 cm of margin in the shoe.

We must also keep in mind that the world of children’s shoes is even more chaotic than that of adults: to say that “baby shoes size 21”Does not make much sense, because from one brand to another, from one model to another, its perfectly adapted size can change. It is rather his foot size in centimeters that you have to keep in mind when buying shoes.

Foot size according to the measurement in cm: the indicative table of correspondences

* varies depending on the model: always refer to the foot-meter or the brand’s measurement table

The guide to measuring baby’s feet correctly

A paper and a pencil may suffice! If baby is comfortable with his feet on a large sheet of paper, even better. You can also make small marks on the floor and then erase them.

The first step is to ensure that the baby is standing with solid ground support (neither squatting, nor sideways, etc.) so that the foot is supported and well spread on the ground. A line is then drawn at the level of the heel, as well as another at the front of the foot, at the level of the longest toe (the thumb generally, but it can be the second toe). You have to be careful to keep your pencil (which you choose to be thin) as straight as possible, and not to tilt it voluntarily. You can also trace the contours of baby’s feet, but this technique can be deceptive. On the other hand, no question of evaluating baby’s shoe size simply with his fingerprints, because this will give a distorted measurement!

Once the lines are obtained, all you have to do is measure the distance between the two, then refer to the measurements table, which may differ from one brand, or even from one pair of shoes to another.

Note that it may be wise to measure baby’s feet in width. A line is then drawn at the level of the head of the metatarsals of the big toe and the little toe, these bones located after the phalanges of the toes. Clearly, at the widest point of the foot, which is not at the level of the toes but well beyond. Then we draw a line between the two lines obtained, and we measure it. Some brands specify the inside width of their shoes, which must never be less than the width of the supporting foot. A 1 to 3 mm margin is the best.

Do I have to buy a pedimeter to know the baby’s shoe size?

To properly measure baby’s foot, it may be tempting to invest in a pedometer, which can also be used by the whole family. It can be a useful tool, but be careful not to substitute it for the other important aspects to take into account in the choice of baby’s shoes (shape and type of foot, width of the foot, level of walking…).

Note that some brands have their own pedimeter and measurement – size correspondence table, which may be useful to consult before purchasing. If you really want to invest in a foot measuring device, it is better to opt for a Plus12, a device close to the pedometer, with the difference that it also allows you to measure the inside length of the shoe. Because this is not the same as the sole, since the toes rarely reach the very end of the sole. One Plus12 measuring device is sufficient for the whole family.

What shoes should I choose for my baby’s first steps?

Two schools seem to coexist, although one (the first below) tends to take precedence over the other, more “dated”.

Currently, more and more pediatricians, psychomotor therapists and other osteopaths are now advising flexible shoes, adjusted and without ankle support, for it to muscle, for the first steps at least, or even beyond (excluding pathology requiring orthopedic shoes). In this sense, the shoes serve only to avoid dangers and dirt, and should neither hinder the freedom of movement of the child, nor his acquisition of walking and balance.

Other shoe sellers, even some pediatricians, or even grandparents, will recommend, on the contrary, very firm shoes, with significant support at the ankle (for fear of fractures), or even a sole with foot arch, whereas a priori we estimate today that this is created naturally over the years, to be fully formed around 6-7 years old. The presence of an artificial arch at the level of the sole can also hinder the good mobility of the foot.

It is up to each parent to form their opinion on this subject, also with regard to the medical recommendations of their pediatrician. The idea is also to observe the child when he tries on shoes: if we have the impression that baby walks as with ski boots, it is clearly that the shoe does not suit him, that he does not feel the ground enough, that he is as if disconnected from what he is setting foot on.

The shoes for the first steps must also be light, always in the idea of ​​not handicapping the baby in his learning to walk. As for the shape of the shoe, exit the very tapered models, because it is necessary to ensure that the front of the foot (also called “toebox” or toe box) is wide enough to spread out the toes.

note that the shape of the baby’s foot must also be taken into account in the choice of first step shoes: a baby with strong feet, with a strong kick (that is, the top of the foot very bulging) will not put on the same type of shoes as a baby with thin feet. Some shoe sites (such as cleoze.fr ou petitspasdegeants.com) indicate in the description the type (s) of feet suitable for the shoes, or offer a personalized selection according to the characteristics of the child’s foot.

We summarize the main characteristics of the ideal “first steps” shoes:

• no artificial arch at the level of the sole, a flat sole;
• room to let the toes move freely and later avoid hallux valgus;
• a flexible sole, easily foldable in length and width, or even in all directions;
• without rigid buttress at the back, which immobilizes the ankle and prevents it from building muscle;
• adapted to the level of walking and the morphology of the child’s foot (thin or plump, with a strong kick or not…).

Are my baby’s feet normal?

If your baby’s feet seem very small or on the contrary very large, don’t panic! Every baby’s feet develop differently. It is possible that your baby will take one or two sizes in just a few months, especially through the acquisition of walking. Or on the contrary that his size stagnates for several months and that his feet grow in spurts, sometimes up to 15 mm in six months.

To give an idea, between 0 and 2 years old, a baby can change your shoe size every two months. Then, up to about 4 years, it can take one size every three to four months, a growth of the foot which is then a little slower. Finally, it is estimated that the final size of a child is reached around the age of 14.

Soft or hard sole for my baby: which should I choose?

The answer can be summed up in one word: flexible ! Even if baby seems more and more comfortable with walking, it is not fully acquired until after several months or even years. We therefore recommend the flexible to help him in this acquisition, so that his foot is well anchored and connected to the ground. Gradually, we can go from “very flexible” to “a little less flexible”, so that the sole is resistant to the various outdoor activities of the child. Around 6 to 7 years old, we can consider more classic shoes, less flexible, although the flexible has advantages for all ages, even as an adult.

A shoe has a flexible sole if it can bend with one hand, long, wide and across, without difficulty, as a foot would do when walking. It is therefore a shoe that approaches the barefoot sensation (English speakers speak of “barefoot” shoes, literally, barefoot). The goal is simply to protect the foot from external aggressions, without hindering it in its movements and sensations.

Are sneakers suitable for my baby’s feet?

We have all already cracked, or almost cracked, in front of a pair of Nike mini-shoes, Sneakers, Stan Smith and other mini-Converses. Most are not shoes as such, but park shoes, layettes and other slippers with a very smooth sole.

Let’s be clear, it’s just about gadgets marketing, very cute certainly, but useless or even dangerous if baby starts to stand up with support and the sole is very smooth. Better to opt for slippers with non-slip leather soles, or non-slip socks (which you can easily make yourself).

As for real sneaker type baby shoes, Here again, we will remain vigilant as to their flexibility, their weight and their shape. There is no question of taking the same shoes as mom or dad just because it is aesthetic and fun, especially if it is about learning to walk with it! Here are some examples of brands of soft sneakers for babies or young children, to be adapted afterwards according to the morphology and the level of walking: the Domyos range from Décathlon, See Kai, certain models from Jack & Lily, Soft Step or even DDStep.