There is no clear consensus. Some parents buy shoes as soon as their baby pulls herself into a first tentative stand; others wait as long as possible, preferring not to constrict their children’s feet.

“As a general rule, kids will need shoes when they are ready to start walking around outdoors,” says Peggy Wells, who is both a mother and president of Pip Squeakers, a children’s shoe company. “You will want something that protects your baby’s feet but still allows for some flexibility,” she explains.

For parents contemplating purchasing their baby’s first shoes, here are some suggestions for things to consider from the experts at parentsplace.com and pipsqueakers.com:

* Make sure you get the proper fit. Shoes that are too tight or too loose could be painful or cause blisters, and may even hamper walking. Have your pediatrician measure your child’s feet, during the regular check-ups. This will provide you with an accurate measurement when you refer to a shoe company’s sizing chart.

* Avoid stiff, high-top leather shoes; there is no evidence that they help babies walk. Instead, look for something soft and flexible that allows your baby to use the movement of his feet to maintain balance and to walk. They should be made from canvas or some other breathable material, and have flat, flexible, non-slip soles.

* Get shoes your child likes. Pip Squeakers shoes make a pleasing “squeak” that children enjoy. “It encourages them to move, walk and explore their surroundings,” says Wells, who adds that children enjoy creating the amusing sounds with each step. An added benefit is safety: the sound allows parents to more easily track the movements of their toddler and keep them within a close radius.

* Safe closures. Make sure that your baby’s shoes fasten well. Double-knot laces so that they are less likely to come undone and make sure buckle straps are secure without being too tight. Velcro fasteners are the easiest option.

* It is normal to have a slight discrepancy in foot size between the two feet; you want to make sure to go with the shoe size that fits the larger foot. Allow about one-half inch of space at the end of the longest toe to the end of the shoe. The toes should be able to wiggle freely, and the heel should not slip with normal walking.

* Get the shoe that is most comfortable for your child, even if it is not the same size that the measurement device indicates. Be aware that sizing differs with each shoe company, so refer to their respective sizing charts. It is advisable to inspect the shoe fit every couple of weeks, to insure the continuing comfort of your child’s feet.

Because of their unique ability to make sounds, Pip Squeakers shoes may be of interest to parents of children with disabilities who may have vision or mobility problems.

However, its important to keep in mind that with any luck, you wont be keeping quiet in a corner all night! you’ll be spending the majority of the night dancing.  Therefore, its key to get the perfect balance of comfort and style.

Once the prom shoes are selected, never keep it in the closet. It is recommended that you try wearing it prior to the prom to become comfortable with it.  When Prom Day shows up, you’re ready to slip on your magic slippers.

Purchasing the essential prom shoes is not impossible. All you need to do is follow some tips and tricks from fashion experts. Keep in mind that your feet will look elegant and sexy, complementing with your evening dress, and make you comfortable while walking and dancing.

Some women think that wearing prom shoes is a sacrifice for them since eighty percent of the shoes for specific occasions are really uncomfortable. Though, for beauty’s sake, they will rather tolerate sore feet than look unfashionable.

Don’t feel upset; just follow these three tips to find the perfect prom shoes for you.

1. Silver sandals are ideal for semi-formal and formal dresses such as cocktail dresses and sundresses. These also compliment well with casual ones including skirts, trendy pants, and jeans. Flip-flops with black sequins go well with black prom dresses.

2. Go for dress shoes that have a soft, padded upper lining preferably in leather. If the sole of your dress shoes are very hard, put padded comfort inserts. Most traditional and online stores are selling these items.

3. Get your prom dress first. Match the prom shoes to it. Never reverse the process since it would be extremely hard to find colors that would perfectly match. However, go for complementary colors. Evening shoes that are black are very classic and work best with dark colored outfits. Go for ivory shoes instead of pure white if you are going to wear a pastel colored dress.

Always choose prom shoes that can be used even after the occasion. It would be a very wise decision. However, keep your imagination by creating your own styles. These rules are simply your way to get what perfectly fits your taste.

The discomfort in the actually foot is minimal compared to the serious back pain it can lead to. Having a properly fitting shoe does not mean that you have to choose a shoe that ugly. There are many choices for you in department stores, malls, shoe shops, and more. Trying on the shoe prior to buying it is important. Making sure the toes are not too tight but that the back fits properly are important parts. Is there support for the arch? If you are going to use the shoe for specific reasons, you will need a specific shoe? For example, hiking boots are necessary when hiking. Their high tops help to support the ankles on the difficult ground. If you work in a restaurant, you may want to choose a shoe that is slip resistant.

Finding the right shoe will not only make your feet more comfortable, but it will keep you safe and secure. You can look good and be safe at the same time as shoes come in a variety of styles, shapes, and sizes. Most shoes are made to keep people safe while providing for comfort and style as well. Be careful, though, when buying shoes that just don’t fit right. Remember that an improperly fitted shoe can cause pain and injury. As long as you take that into consideration, you should be able to find many choices in shoes!

Young children have gone barefoot for most of human history, and still do so in many parts of the world, so the answer to the question, “What are the best shoes for the toddler who is learning to walk?” is still being discussed.

Research shows that feet are more flexible, stronger and healthier when a person goes barefoot, and many experts believe that it is best to go without shoes as much as possible. Of course this isn’t always practical outdoors where shoes are needed to protect the feet, or in cold weather when they’re necessary to keep young feet warm. For a young child who’s learning to walk, therefore, the next best thing to no shoes is a shoe that is as close as possible to bare feet. When you’re purchasing their shoes take the following factors into account:

The correct fit. Neither too large nor too small, though a tight shoe will cause more problems for a child who is learning to walk than one which is too large.

Easy to take on and off. High top shoes can be confining and are more difficult for parents to put on and for toddlers to take off. But low-cut shoes come off easily and a child can pull them off at will. They can also slip off by themselves. What’s best for your child when he or she is learning to walk will depend on foot shape as well as on the fit of a particular pair of shoes.

Light weight. Toddlers find it hard enough learning to put one foot in front of another and if the shoes are too heavy then this becomes even more of a challenge!

Flexible soles. Make learning to walk easier, so check you can bend the toe of the shoe up easily.

The right soles. Neither so slippery that your child is always sliding around, but neither so non-slip that it’s hard for them to lift their feet. Search out rubber soles that are grooved like tire treads. If the shoes do have smooth slippery soles, then rough them up a bit with sandpaper to improve their grip before your toddler wears them.

A shape that matches the foot. Choose a high square toe rather than a pointed one.

Breathable uppers. Much nicer to have leather or canvas uppers that allow the foot to breathe, than plastic or fake leather which make feet hot and sweaty.

No heels. Even a small heel can alter a child’s posture and balance, making learning to walk even more difficult.

Good support. The backs of the shoes should offer good support to the foot and preferably be padded along the back edge, making them less likely to rub and a lot more comfortable.

Attractive colors and designs. Toddlers will often refuse to wear shoes they don’t like. So if at all possible let them have a say in chosing their shoes – bright colors and designs are usually favorites, while those featuring animals, cartoons or other pictures score bonus points.

Reasonably priced. While your child is learning to walk, and indeed for some time afterwards, their feet will be growing very fast and you’ll probably have to replace their shoes four, five or even more times in the next year.

If you can afford it, it’s a good idea to buy two pairs of shoes at a time. Mud, water and perspiration are all attracted to the average toddler who is learning to walk and switching pairs will allow shoes to dry completely between outings.

Making your toddler, who is just learning to walk, wear shoes or any protective gear is no child’s play! Refusal to wear shoes has several possible reasons and is characterized by the following:

โ€ข Conflict of Interests: Parents force their toddlers to wear shoes. Children at this age view this as unnecessary, and try to assert their own identity, by simply throwing the shoes away. What results is a power struggle between the parent and the baby.

โ€ข Natural vs. unnatural: A child refusing to wear shoes is not abnormal. In fact what seems unnatural is the parent’s insistence that the child wear shoes. Nature protects children’s feet by providing them with padded soles and toes to retain their balance. Your baby has just started experiencing different surfaces such as grass, wooden floors, and your home carpet. It is expected that the child enjoys being barefoot.

โ€ข Discomfort: Some shoes may be simply too small or too big for their feet. Some children may not like the idea of a foreign object on their body.

Of course, as a parent, it is important to ensure that your childโ€™s feet are protected from snow, dirt, broken glass, and other sharp objects.

Here are some strategies that you can adopt to change your babyโ€™s outlook towards shoes:

โ€ข Be positive โ€“ Use praise and motivation to help your child view wearing shoes as a good thing to do. Shouting, yelling, and the use of force will make the baby associate shoes with negative feelings.

โ€ข Make it fun โ€“ Make it fun for your child to wear shoes. Use music, dance, toys, or any favorite activity that your baby likes, while you slip the shoe on the child’s foot. Allow the baby to choose a favorite color or style. Reserve these “fun shoes” for special events such as a trip to the zoo.

โ€ข Use the correct shoe โ€“ Frequently, parents buy shoes without realizing how uncomfortable they are for their kids. Buy the right fit. Check if the shoe is light enough so that the child feels close to the experience of being barefoot.

โ€ข Barefoot is not a bad option โ€“ If nothing works, and if it is safe for the baby to do so, allow the child to remain barefoot.

Find out more on baby’s first shoes, baby’s first-aid, baby’s first valentine’s day.