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Baby Shoes: Hard or Soft Soled?

When it's time for baby shoes, you may wonder if hard or soft soles are better for your baby's developing feet.

It may surprise you (or at least your parents) to know experts are now saying the longer your baby can stay barefoot the better - even after they start walking.

Baby shoes should be soft and flexible.

Babies' feet are still forming new bones. If they are in shoes all day the feet are subject to becoming malformed.

Their feet should be free so they can have room to grow into their natural shape.

When your baby starts walking outside or going out in the cold you may want to introduce shoes for practical purposes.

Podiatrists and pediatricians recommend baby shoes be soft, and flexible so they bend and move with his feet. However, you should still make a point to let them be barefoot at home everyday.

Whatever type of foot covering you use (socks, booties or shoes), make sure the are not too tight. If your baby takes her shoes and socks off all the time, she's likely uncomfortable in them. Go with the flow. If you're worried about the cold, choose outfits with feet in or breathable knit tights.

Choosing Non-Toxic Baby Shoes

Shoes, like everything else, will find its way into your baby's mouth. Avoid choosing shoes made from synthetic materials. The glues and fabrics used in assembly can off-gas toxic chemicals.

Shoes made from non-toxic leather, canvas or hemp are a good option for baby's delicate feet. These fabrics allow air to get to your baby's feet. Vegan and organic shoes are also becoming popular choices.

In general, the soles of the shoes should start out thin and flexible. The soles can increase in thickness as the baby gets more experience walking.

If possible have a professional fit your baby's shoes. They should check to make sure the shoe is not tight on the toes, doesn't slide up and down the heel and flexible along the ball of the feet.

Keep in mind that your baby's feet can change size overnight, so you may want to have one or two neutral colored pairs handy, rather than buying a pair to match each cute little outfit.

Non-toxic Baby Shoe Resources

The jury is still out on whether the tanning methods involved in many of the popular leather, soft-sole shoes is truly non-toxic. However, I've reviewed a brand of baby shoes called Pedoodles. They are soft, flexible and made without many of the toxic ingredients that can be found in conventional leather such as Lead, Mercury, Barium, Antimony, Arsenic, Cadmium, Selenium and harmful Amines.
You should also check out my video review of ScooterBees. Their shoes are dyed with vegetables and fruits and have soft, flexible recycled rubber soles. These storytelling shoes can be found on Amazon.com.
If you prefer shoes made from vegan materials, you may want to check out a brand called Isabooties or Soft Star Shoes.
Finally if you just love a brand of shoes that are made from leather, call the manufacturer up and ask if the shoes have been tested to contain specific ingredients that you're concerned about. The manufacturer should be able to tell you more than they meet American or European safety standards. In other words look for specific answers to your specific questions.