IDEAS & ADVICE

Choosing your baby's first shoes

Babies are constantly growing and meeting new milestones, from the first moment they roll over to those initial wobbly steps. So, when it comes to finding their feet, make sure they have the right shoes for the job!

Wondering when to get your baby’s first shoes? Or perhaps you're unsure about what type of shoes to get? Our guide to choosing your baby’s first shoes will tell you everything you need to know, so you can step into the most exciting part—choosing their footwear.

When should a baby start wearing shoes

Naturally, when your little one begins to walk, shoes are essential for keeping their tiny feet supported and protected. But many people like to dress their baby in soft, comfortable shoes from as early as the newborn phase to help keep their feet warm and snug.

Remember, little feet are constantly growing and developing, so you'll need to keep an eye on the fit of your baby’s shoes. Shoes that are too tight could even get in the way of development!

How to measure your baby's feet for shoes

The right-fitting pair of shoes makes all the difference. Follow these simple steps to measure your little one’s feet:

1. Print out our measure and fit guide at 100%.

2. Place the top edge of your printed guide against a wall.

3. Help your child to stand on the guide with their heels resting against the wall, with the inside of their feet level with the black centre line.

4. Measure from the heel to the end of your child’s longest toe to figure out their shoe size. If they're somewhere between numbers, this indicates a half-size.

5. Make sure you measure the other foot, as feet can often be two different sizes. If this happens to be the case - round up to the nearest half size!

Types of shoes for babies

There are different types of baby shoes for each stage of development—here’s how to know the difference.

Pram shoes

Sometimes known as pre-walker baby shoes, pram shoes are designed for babies who are still too small to walk, crawl or cruise. These will often come in the style of knitted baby shoes or sock shoes and are super soft and comfortable. Their main purpose is to keep feet warm—and to look simply adorable.

Crawling shoes

From the generic knee-crawl and crab crawl to the bum shuffle and tummy slide, your little one will soon figure out their own unique way of getting around the room. Things like chair legs, door frame edges and coffee tables can be sharp, so keep your baby’s feet protected with a pair of crawling shoes. Soft and comfortable yet nice and supportive, they're the perfect first shoe.

Cruising shoes

Cruising is the stage between crawling and walking when your child uses objects and furniture to pull themselves across the room. Since your little one is now likely to be on their feet, it’s super important to get them a pair of shoes! Look for some that fit properly and have good grips on them.

Walking shoes

And they're off—the walking stage is finally here, and your baby’s shoes have never been more important. Once again, good grip and lots of support are essential! Discover our range of baby boys’ footwear and baby girls’ footwear to find the perfect walking shoes for your little one.

Baby shoe styles

From baby slippers to sandals, there are lots of adorable styles available to choose from. Here are some of the styles we stock at Next:

• Slippers: soft, comfortable and cosy, slippers are great for newborn babies and make the perfect first shoe.

• Pumps: while still soft, pumps have better grips on their soles than slippers, so they work well as crawling, cruising and walking shoes.

• Trainers: strong and sturdy, trainers are the ideal walking shoe. They provide lots of grip and structure to support little feet as they run, jump and play.

• Sandals: when warmer weather makes an appearance, sandals are the perfect footwear choice. They're comfortable and supportive while still allowing your children’s feet to breathe.

• Boots: In the wintertime, kids’ boots are a great alternative to trainers. Available in lots of colours and styles, they look adorable with every outfit.

Now you're clued up on all there is to know about your baby’s feet, it’s time to get shopping! Our range of baby shoes features lots of different sizes, colours and designs to suit your little one. If you also have kids heading off to school soon, take a look at these seven considerations when buying school shoes.