Doctors recommend that babies go barefoot as often as possible so that their feet can develop. That said, sometimes your baby needs shoes for protection or just to look nice. Baby shoes can be expensive and quickly outgrown, so examine your options before buying any.
Pedipeds are great if you are looking for standard shoe styles such as Mary Janes, athletic shoes, sandals, loafers, and formal dress shoes. With non-slip leather soles, nontoxic premium leather parts, and a soft lining that cushions your baby's ankles, pedipeds have been designed with your baby's comfort and safety in mind. Velcro straps fasten each pediped securely to cradle and protect a baby's feet even while allowing the baby a lot of free movement.
Babies up to a year wear shoes from pedipeds' Originals collection (sized 0-3 months, 0-6 months, and 6-12 months). For girls, you can choose between adorable flower-decorated and polka-dotted Mary Janes, boots, and other pretty shoes in trendy colors such as pink, chocolate, and turquoise. For boys, you can choose between tasteful variations of loafers, oxfords, sandals, and sneakers in different combinations of sedate colors such as brown, white, navy, and black.
At around $30 for each pair (and closer to $40 for boots), pedipeds are not cheap, but their quality and style make them a good choice if you want to invest in one or two pairs of shoes that will wear well and match everything.
Another popular baby leather shoe line (and one that, like pedipeds, has been approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association) is Robeez. Robeez now offers a range of different collections, but the classic Robeez Soft Soles shoes are basically leather booties with elastic around the ankles to keep them on your baby's feet. Babies with larger ankles may find that the elastic cuts uncomfortably into their skin, and these shoes are not as form-fitting as pedipeds are.
In general, though, Robeez Soft Soles shoes are as carefully designed as pedipeds, with high-quality leather on the outside, a soft knit lining on the inside, and non-slip suede soles. Some Soft Soles styles mimic the look of real shoes (Mary Janes, white oxfords, penny loafers, sneakers, sandals, boots), but most are covered with simple, cartoony designs in bright colors, such as pirates for boys and cupcakes for girls. For a baby, you can buy them in sizes 0-6 months and 6-12 months.
At just around $30 (with the boot styles and the Luxury line coming in at around $40 or even $50), Robeez are as expensive as pedipeds, but if you pick one of the wilder styles, they will be too distinctive to match very many outfits. For more classic looks that will go with an entire wardrobe, you may have to turn to the Robeez Mini Shoez line, which offers such styles as laced boots, leather sport shoes, and suede loafers and suede Mary Janes, for a slightly higher price (about $35).
If you want the playful designs of Robeez shoes but at a more reasonable price, a third option is to buy ShooShoos. They are similar in construction, with elasticized ankles, non-slip soles, and nontoxic leather parts. They are also similar in design, with some shoes that mimic adult styles (even golf shoes!) and others covered in bright, playful appliques of flowers or hippos. Usually retailing at a shade under $25, their first-year sizes are 0-6 months and 6-12 months.
A fourth option is Pedoodles, which are like pedipeds with soft, flexible bodies and Velcro straps for fasteners. They differ from other brands because they have flat rubber soles for stronger traction and protection. Their First Feet collection (aimed at crawlers, sized 0-6 months and 6-12 months, and retailing for around $25) is full of colorful shoes with cartoon animals on them. Their Next Steps collection (aimed at walkers, sized 8-12 months, and retailing for around $35) mixes in some more adult styles like sandals, oxfords, and even a bowling shoe.
A fifth option is shoes from See Kai Run (which are also accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association!). Made with good leather, flexible soles, an extra-wide toe box, and Velcro straps, See Kai Run shoes really stand out because of the sophistication of their styles. Their designs utilize lots of visible stitching and other nice details. Shoes from their Smaller line are sized 0-6 months, 6-9 months, and 9-12 months and retail for about $32 ($38 for boots). Designs include upscale sneakers, sweet Mary Janes, and some boot options.
These may seem like a lot of choices, but don't worry. Just think about whether you are picking shoes for how they look or how they will hold up under actual wear, and keep in mind the colors and styles of your baby's clothes, and you can't go wrong!
Marc Davis is an author and writer for numerous popular websites. Come visit his latest articles at http://www.GazeboCover.net and find out the best way to replace your Gazebo Cover.
