BIG STEPS (Continued from Page 29)


Top 10 additional shoe-buying tips


1. Your toddler is likely to need new shoes about every two to four months. Their feet should be re- measured each time, too.


2. Velcro fasteners can be handy for kid’s shoes. But some parents note that once a child figures out how easy it is to undo Velcro, they’re often out of their footwear in a flash.


3. Make sure shoe soles aren’t so soft that a child can slip. A bit of leather or rubber on the bottom creates safer traction.


4. You can generally skip buying high-topped leather toddler shoes unless you’re particularly concerned about ankle support. Other shoes generally do just as well (but high-toppers are still the favored baby shoe for bronzing!).


5. Avoid open-toed styles: They don’t protect those tender tootsies very well.


6. Another no-no: clog-type shoes can trigger tripping in young walkers; it’s best to wait till kids are older for these.


7. Don’t buy shoes that are a size too big, thinking that the tot will “grow into them.” Too-big shoes can cause skin irritation — falls, too.


8. Shop later in the day. Kids’ feet can expand in size by up to five percent more than in the morning.


9. If the shoes you want have laces, make sure they’re long enough to double-knot, or buy a replacement longer pair while you’re at the shoe store.


10. Stylish shoes are nifty — but your child’s stability and comfort should be top priority.


Grace McCoy is a writer and editor. who lives in the Hudson Valley.


30 Hudson Valley Parent  2012 Baby Guide


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