Explore the World in Baby Steps: Best Baby and Toddler Shoes for Your New Walker

First shoes of your little ones are equally important as learning their first steps as they give safety and protection to their fragile feet and impact their walking development.

One day they stay in place, the next, they start crawling, and then they learn how to use those little legs and walk. On that memorable milestone, their feet and determination to take one tiny step at a time should be matched with the best baby or toddler shoes.

According to Kailee, better known as The Movement Mama, walking barefoot is still the best way.

"The reason we want bare feet is to allow the foot and ankle musculature to develop-naturally. Without shoes, your baby is also better able to feel where they are in space when they're standing, building confidence in this position," she explained. Nevertheless, barefoot cannot last for so long as kids need to walk independently as they explore the community.

Moreover, barefoot is best until parents see signs of excessive flat feet, poor alignment, or joint hypermobility that are delaying walking or standing milestones⁣⁣. Then, shoes become very crucial."

Allowing the toddlers to practice standing and walking with shoes can be very beneficial in "improving their stability and overall confidence," which they need to be better at to walk independently.

Qualifications of the best baby shoes

However, shoes of any kind are not the answer. Parents need to provide their children with the best kind of shoes. And the best ones, first and foremost, are those that, when used, feel like walking barefoot. This shoe will allow those little feet to move as naturally as possible while being protected from dirty, uneven, or cold surfaces.

So how do parents find the best shoes for their little ones?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has developed three specific tips for parents when shopping for those perfect shoes for their fragile, new walkers.

1. Baby shoes should be lightweight and flexible to support the feet's natural movement.
2. Baby shoes should be made of soft leather or mesh for a more breathable comfort for the baby's feet.
3. Baby shoes should have rubber soles for traction to hinder the child from slipping or sliding.

Read also: TikTok Mom Faces Backlash After Filming Her Baby Wearing Heels

Top 10 baby and toddler shoes in the market

Parenting.com is making parents' lives easier as they check out the market, select the best shoes for new walkers, and even draft a top 10 list that parents can use as a reference.

10. Ten Little Everyday Original Shoes at $39.00

Ten Little, a mom-developed shoe company, manufactures shoes with everything a child needs to get off on the right foot. Aside from being made of sustainable materials like vegan leather, they are American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)-approved for their flexible, flat-sole and rounded-toe design. Moreover, they are kid-approved as children are given stickers along with the shoe purchase, allowing them to customize their shoes.

9. Lioraitiin Ankle Boots at $12.89

This is one of the coolest as these ankle boots made of vegan leather look exactly like a pair of rugged, classic Timberlands.

8. Wonder Nation 3D Unicorn Critter Slip-On Shoe at $5.98

As they say, if it looks like the kids' favorite mythical creature, the better. How can parents go wrong with these cute little pair when their price is just right for a slip-on that babies can outgrow immediately, and its design will make children want to wear it immediately and repeatedly.

7. Topumt Fashion Slip-Ons at $9.37

Aside from being on sale for $18.48, parents can never go wrong pairing dark-blue "sneakers" with any outfit for the kids, whether they want to dress them up or down.

6. Converse Kids Chuck Taylor All-Star Cribster Gravity at $25.00

These classic sneakers for infants come with faux shearling and canvas outsole with rubber nubs for traction.

5. Nike Air Force 1 Sneaker at $38.00

These shoes are perfect for those new to standing and walking as they have a wide, flat base. A plus point is an elastic slip-on.

4. Momo Baby Mia Shoes at $39.99

These shoes are made of genuine leather and have been awarded the APMA seal of acceptance. These shoes have always been part of the best shoes for infants.

3. Momo Baby Soft Sole Shoes at $16.99

These shoes are made of durable, lightweight mesh that provides maximum breathability. The flexibility of the sole allows toddlers to have a better natural shift of weight from the shoes' back to front when walking.

2. Delebao Baby Non-Slip Shoes at $12.79

These shoes are durable, flexible, and non-constricting, promoting balance and unrestricted growth. All because it is made of the finest materials - soft leather and an even softer suede upper with a full suede non-slip sole.

1. BirdRock Baby Moccasins at $30.00

Made of soft, durable, and safe leather, these shoes are individually crafted to last and have a lifetime warranty. Further, it promotes natural foot movement and development with its lightweight feature and flexible sole. They also come in more than 30 colors and designs. But aside from all those, these shoes allow purchasers to help feed a child in need for one day from BirdRock Baby's donation for every pair sold.

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