A Guide to Baby and Toddler Foot Development – Choosing the Right Shoes
Ensuring healthy foot development in babies and toddlers is essential for their growth and mobility. In this guide, we’ll explore how feet change from birth to 2+ years, along with tips on promoting good foot health and choosing the best footwear for each stage.
0–12 Months: Growing Foundations
In the first year, babies’ feet are soft and flexible, made up mostly of cartilage. At 6 months, their feet are still developing, and their bones are beginning to harden. Babies spend much of this stage exploring with their feet—kicking, grasping, and pushing off surfaces to build muscle strength and coordination . Crawling also helps develop the arches of their feet and prepares them for taking those first steps.
Promoting Good Foot Health
- Encourage kicking, tummy time, and other opportunities for free movement to help strengthen foot muscles . Tickling baby’s feet is great too!
- Allow plenty of barefoot time to support natural development, as babies use their feet to sense textures and balance.
- Be aware of socks, tights and baby grows being too tight, stiff, or structured, as this can restrict growth and development.
Barefoot is best for early development, but soft, flexible footwear like booties and soft sole shoes offer protection and warmth when needed.
What Shoes Should They Wear?
For the first 6 months, footwear is more about warmth and comfort than support. Our Cotton Baby Booties are ideal, offering a secure fit with adjustable hook-and-loop fastening and soft fleece lining to keep tiny toes cosy in prams and indoors. As babies approach 12 months and begin crawling or pulling themselves up, our Soft Sole Shoes and Slippers also provide lightweight protection with non-slip suede soles, ensuring stability on smooth floors while allowing natural movement. All our shoes are lightweight, flexible, and designed with plenty of room for toe movement.
12–24 Months: Building Strength and Balance
During this period, children begin standing, walking, and exploring their surroundings. Their arches are still developing, and their feet remain soft and flexible. Bones continue to grow and harden, while muscle strength improves as they walk, climb, and balance.
Promoting Good Foot Health
- Encourage a variety of movements, including (supervised!) climbing, walking, and even running, to strengthen muscles and improve coordination.
- Allow barefoot play whenever possible to support balance and flexibility.
Flexible and lightweight shoes with non-slip soles support developing feet, while varied movements strengthen muscles and improve coordination.
What Shoes Should They Wear?
At this stage, footwear should provide a balance of support and flexibility to accommodate growing feet. For outdoor adventures, our Rubber Sole Shoes offer lightweight, flexible soles with added grip for stability on varied surfaces like grass and pavement. For indoor play, our Soft Sole Shoes and Slippers are perfect, featuring non-slip suede soles stability on smooth floors. All options are designed to be lightweight and flexible, with ample room for movement in the toes.
2+ Years: Confidence in Movement
By this stage, children are confident walkers and runners. Their arches start to become more defined, and their feet begin to take on a more mature shape. Feet continue to grow, but at a slower pace, and children become more active, participating in climbing, running, and jumping.
Promoting Good Foot Health
- Encourage physical activities like jumping and climbing to strengthen muscles and ligaments.
- Avoid over-supporting the arch, as feet need freedom to develop naturally.
- Check shoes regularly for fit, as growth can still be rapid.
As arches form and activities increase, flexible, breathable shoes support natural movement and keep feet comfortable during play.
What Shoes Should They Wear?
Children need shoes that support active play while maintaining flexibility. Our Soft Sole Shoes and Slippers are ideal for indoor environments, nursery, and playtime. Designed with non-slip soles, breathable materials, and fleece lining in our Slippers, they provide comfort, security, and warmth for busy little feet. All our shoes are lightweight, flexible, and offer plenty of room in the toe area to support natural movement. For older toddlers (up to 5–6 years), our Slippers are perfect for keeping feet cosy and supported during indoor activities.
Choosing the right footwear for your child’s stage of development can make a big difference in their comfort and growth. Prioritise soft, flexible materials and non-slip soles to encourage natural movement and stability. Remember, barefoot play is essential for strengthening muscles and improving coordination, but quality shoes offer protection when needed.
Enjoy every stage!
The Dotty Fish Team
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only. Always consult with a doctor, nurse, or qualified medical professional for advice specific to your child’s health.
Sources
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust: Foot Health Advice
- University Foot and Ankle Institute of Los Angeles: Children’s Foot Development
- Bucks Foot Clinic: Early Foot Development Guidance
- Cheshire Foot Clinic: Child Foot Development Stages