Kids and Baby Shoes

A blog that's all about the kids and babies and for the mom's and dad's as well.

Friday, April 28, 2006

Buying your first pair of kids shoes

Kids go through enough shoes that you may want to consider a 401(k) plan just for their feet.
Children's feet can grow an entire size or more every two to three months, and rough and tumble play takes its toll. Shopping for kids shoes, doesn't need to be daunting. The key is to keep up with growth spurts by having your kids feet properly measured on a regular basis.

Looking for the first pair


Steps:

  1. 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 (robeez.com) makes thin but warm leather moccasins in a range of colors and sizes that actually stay on little babies feet.
  2. When it's time for your babys 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
    Umi. The best stores have patient and knowledgeable salespeople who are expert at fitting childrens feet.
  3. 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 feel the ground.


As they grow

Steps:


Have your child's feet measured on a regular basis at a shoe store that specializes in children's shoes - Stride Rite is always a good place to start.. Kids grow fast, and shoe sizes can change from month to month. Really good sales staff can spot evasive maneuvers like tight toes, and know how to woo a reluctant child out of a parent's lap. Toys and play areas are added featues for distracting the child during the fitting.

Head to discount stores, such as UniqueHomeStore.Com, Target and Kmart, which are also great sources for shoes that get limited wear, such as dress shoes. If you're clear about your kids' shoe size, you can save a bundle at these discounters. However, many of these stores don't carry wide or narrow shoes.

Have your child try both shoes on at the same time. Toes should have a 1/2-inch clearance, but not much more. Getting one size larger than their foot is fairly typical. Watch your child walk and make sure that the heels don't slip out. Remember, Shoes vary in fit, even within the same brand. If a heel is too wide but the rest of the shoe fits, you can try heel pads (available at some shoe stores and drugstores try CVS).

Invest in a good pair of sneakers that your child can wear every day. This pair will take a
pounding, so look for quality. Leather holds up better than vinyl, and stitching lasts longer than glue.


Take advantage of Velcro fasteners. At some point, though, all kids need to learn to tie
shoelaces, so get your preschool-age child at least one pair that ties.

For summer months or warm climates, purchase cheap canvas sneakers for playing in the sand box, jumping in puddles or going in the creek. Velcro-strapped sandals are great
for tender feet that want to have wet summertime fun. Closed toe sandals are usually better for smaller children.


Buy rain and winter boots a size or two bigger. Kids can wear heavier or even doubled socks. Most retailers won't restock boots, even if they sell out of a size, until
the following year's season. Be aware that most rain boots don't come in wide sizes; you may have to go up in size to get them wide enough.


Overall Tips:


Some shoe stores such as Stride Rite offer warranties. If the shoes wear out before your kids outgrow them, they will replace them. Be sure to keep receipts. Shap at a store you can trust.

Shoes with lights are a huge hit with little kids and are found on both quality and discount
brands.


Outlets and discounters like Marshall's, Ross and T.J. Maxx often sell brand-name shoes.
The selection of sizes and styles may be limited, though.


If your child wears orthotics, bring them with you when trying on shoes.


Overall Warnings:


Examine young childrens feet regularly for red spots or blisters, evidence that their
shoes don't fit right.


Don't buy shoes more than one size too big for your toddler. You don't want your child to trip, and often he or she will wear them out before they actually grow into them.

What to look for:

Precise measurements

Proper fit

Shoe quality



Let's Go Shopping


Babycenter
Buy Buy Baby
AllAboutSavvy
Arte Bebe
Baby CZ
Baby Laundry Boutique
babysoy
Cady Lane
comfi cozi
cupcake
Cute Baby Shoes
Cute Little Me
Dandelion
giggle
Emily & Ally
Eurochild
forest and zoe
Ginger and Scallion
Honey for the Bear
It's A Rag Doll's Life
Janie and Jack
Jolie's Online
Kids Shoes, Stride Rite and Primigi
Little Bits
Little Dudes and Divas
Maddies Closet
Mahar Drygoods
Max and Maude's
Milena Bee
Mod Mama
My Little Ducks
nonchalantmom
Olie Bollen
Orange Blossom
Pacifier
PamperedTot
pokkadots
Polka Dot Whale
POSH BABY
PsychoBaby
SnapdragonsBaby
stars + infinite darkness
Stride Rite and Primigi
Sugarfreckle
Swell Baby
The Red Balloon Co.
Tiny Truffles
Trendy Togs

Local - New York City
Agatha Ruiz de la Prada (SOHO)
Crembebe (East Village)
Karin Alexis (UWS)
Kingkow (UWS)
Les Petits Chapelais Créations (SOHO)
Romp (Park Slope)
Z Baby Company (UES/UWS)

Local - Boston
Kids Shoes at AlphaBits Childrens Boutique

Local - DC
K Baby

Local - SF Bay Area
lavish
Mill Valley Baby Co.

Local - LA
La La Ling
2 chix
Bebe au Lait
BellaBlu Maternity
Belly Dance Maternity
Liz Lange
Naissance on Melrose
Nestmom

New York
Veronique Maternity
Amber Hagen
Amy Coe
Anne-Claire Petit
Baby Bean Wear
baby star
blabla
Bonpoint
Devi
EGG by susan lazar
flora and henri
Icky
Jacadi
Kule
Lucy Sykes Baby
Lion & Finn
malina
Marie-Chantal
neopolita
oinkbaby
Petit Bateau
Petit Patapon
Sozo
Tea Collection
Trish Scully
Zutano
Inch Blue
Jack and Lily
Stride Rite
Abe Jones
Angelic Genius
Focoloco
gabbybaby
Glug Baby
Kee-Ka
Lily + Amy
littly by jenny
Loopy
Stardust Kids
Tatico
The Retro Baby
Tomat for Kids
Tricky & Titch
Wry Baby
3 girls and us
BABYGEARED
ducduc
kido
ModernChild
Modernmini
Modern Nursery
Modernseed
ModernTots
Netto Collection
Piccolini
Sparkability
zac and zoe
JouJouBaby
Land of Nod
New Arrivals, Inc.
Pottery Barn Kids
Rosenberry Rooms