It usually is not a good idea to buy a pair of shoes without trying them on your baby first. The correct pair of baby shoes will be supportive and fit closely to the foot, but will have soft soles. Allow a small amount of wiggle room in the toes. Shoes at this stage of your baby's development should be flat, with no heel.
Some parents opt for high top sneakers in order to support the baby's ankles, but this usually is not necessary. If you select high tops, be sure the ankle area is slightly flexible, rather than holding the area rigid.
After your baby has worn shoes for a few days, check her heels, toes and soles for any signs of irritation. If the shoes are rubbing your baby the wrong way, take them back or give them to a friend. Adults routinely break in shoes, but trying this with a baby can hurt her physical development.
If you are not sure whether the shoes you are looking at are appropriate for your baby's feet, enlist in the help of an expert. Children's shoe stores are the best, but most salespeople should be able to accurately measure your child's foot and tell you whether she has a wide foot, narrow ankles, long toes or anything else to be aware of when selecting shoes.
You will probably want to opt for Velcro closures rather than laces. A baby or toddler cannot tie their own shoes yet, but they will learn a lot from trying to put their shoes on and a off. Velcro makes this much easier on both of you.
If you are looking for variety when purchasing baby shoes, you will not be disappointed. There are dozens of styles and colors from which to choose.
For dressy occasions, you can find frilly sneakers for a girl or soft saddle shoes for a boy. Remember to avoid hard leather or very hard soles for young babies. For everyday wear, sneakers are usually your best bet. In warmer weather, both sexes can wear sandals, but make sure the straps do not pinch or rub. You may also want to invest in a pair of soft rubber slip-ons if you frequent the pool, but make sure these have a non-slip sole. It can be easy to go a little crazy on purchasing shoes for your little one, but be practical. One or two pairs at any stage should be fine.
You will want to re-check your baby's shoes about once a month for wear and general fit. Children outgrow their shoes very quickly at this stage. For this reason, you may also want to choose economically when purchasing baby shoes.
Make sure that what you are seeing in fit is not just natural swelling. Like adults, babies' feet swell slightly by the end of the day. If the swelling is making your baby uncomfortable, or if the shoes are very tight due to the swelling, then a new pair is in order.
Once your toddler has graduated to that second pair of shoes, you may want to keep the first pair as a memento of her early days. Bronzing is one option. Vacuum sealing is another. Also, make a plaster cast of his or her footprint. This way, neither you nor your baby will ever forget those early days in baby shoes.