Do babies need shoes?
No. Shoes really serve only two purposes in young children: to keep their feet warm and to protect their feet from what might be on the ground. Shoes do not help a child to walk early or straight, they are not necessary for normal foot development, and they have nothing to do with the development of normal arches or strong ankles. A baby doesn’t need shoes until she is walking. A first pair of shoes should be flexible (you need to bend your feet to walk) and have plenty of room for the toes to wiggle around. High tops are not necessary, unless a low-cut shoe will not stay on your child’s foot. Don’t spend a lot of money on shoes, as you will be buying a new pair every 2-3 months at first. But do make sure you get a good fit. Tight shoes will hurt and loose shoes will not stay on the feet and make it difficult to walk. Leather has no particular advantage over canvas.
