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BABY SHOE SHOPPING FAQ
Even in the best of circumstances, buying shoes for babies can be a stressful experience. If you still haven't found the answer you are looking for after reading through this FAQ, please do not hesitate to contact us with your specific question. It is our goal to provide you with the information you need to make your shopping experience at EncoreBaby.com as pleasant as possible! And don't forget to check back often, as we will be increasing our shoe inventory with brand new, well-known product lines!
General
Why should my baby wear shoes at all?
The answer to this question depends on your personal tastes as well as geography. Keeping your baby barefoot around the house is probably just fine, but your little one’s feet may require more when you go out. Depending on the weather and how much time will be spent out of doors, you might want to protect your baby’s feet from getting sunburned in the summer and from suffering the cold in the winter. Shoes also help protect your baby’s feet from accidental injury like scratches or bumps.
When should my baby switch from soft-soled shoes to hard-soled shoes?
Soft-soled shoes are generally designed to be used as a foot covering to protect your baby’s feet, or as an accessory to an outfit. Hard-soled shoes are intended to be worn by babies who are able to stand on their own without support or are already walking.
Can shoes cause harm to a baby’s growing feet?
Certainly, if the size and fit are wrong for your baby. Babies who aren’t walking yet need extra room in the toe box to wiggle their toes, as well as softer soles that won’t interfere with their muscle development. Babies who are already walking need more protection against the rough surfaces beneath their feet, as well as some support for balance and stability.
As long as you know which type of shoe is appropriate for your baby’s current needs, you do not need to worry about causing harm.
Size and Fit
How should baby shoes fit?
For the pre-walker, you want to get soft-soled shoes that are loose-fitting. Your baby’s toes should never be able to touch the end of the shoe. Some shoe manufacturers list shoe size based on an age-to-size guideline, whereas others provide specific foot length measurements for each size. Do not rely on the age-to-size guideline, as your baby’s feet may not fall into the “average” size, nor may they be growing at the “average” rate. It’s best always to measure your child’s feet and then consult the shoe manufacturer’s Web site to determine which size is appropriate.
That having been said, we can also mention that many parents go ahead and follow the age-to-size guideline and just buy a size larger than their child’s age. That way, instead of risking buying shoes too small, it’s guaranteed that the shoes will be the correct size, even if they aren’t right now!
How do I know what size to get?
It depends on how the manufacturer defines its measurements. Some provide a downloadable measurement file, which is a .PDF file with different-sized outlines of feet so that you can compare them to your baby’s feet to determine the size. Others assign each shoe size a measurement in inches. And some simply provide an age-to-size guideline, which is the least reliable method of determining size.
We provide size information based on what is available to us from the manufacturer. Some of our shoe styles indicate size by the length of the baby’s foot in inches; other styles don’t have any information whatsoever. Over the course of time, we plan to only offer products that provide you with all the information you need to ensure that you are getting the size you need.
After we receive our order, how will we know if they fit properly?
There are several ways to determine whether the shoes are a good fit. If the shoe’s upper is soft enough, you should be able to grab a bit of material on top of the foot. If you can’t, it means the shoe might be too tight at the ball of the foot. You should also be able to squeeze your pinky between your baby’s heel and the shoe, as well as fit the full width of your thumb between the end of your baby’s toe and the tip of the shoe.
How can I tell the difference between soft-soled and hard-soled shoes when I am buying them online?
Because we carry multiple product lines, we cannot give you a hard-and-fast answer to this question. In most cases, shoes for newborns (size 0 and 1) are soft-soled, and shoes for toddlers, girls, and boys (size 5 and up) are hard-soled. The grey area is in our shoes for infants (sizes 2 thru 4), as shoes in these sizes come in both the soft-soled (pre-walker) and hard-soled (toddler) styles.
If the information is not clearly stated in the product description field (click on the specific product to get the detailed description), then we apologize to you for the oversight, and ask that you contact us (http://www.encorebaby.com/cat/contact_us.php) or call us toll-free at 1.877.870.2229 and we will provide you with the exact information you need about any of the shoes you are looking at!
Quality and Cost
How much should I expect to pay for baby shoes?
Remember that old adage, “You get what you pay for”? It holds true for baby shoes, too. However, it’s important to keep in mind that you may not necessarily need to get your baby a pair of gold-tipped Prada sandals, especially when your baby is likely to outgrow them within 1 or 2 months in their first year, and every 2 to 3 months in their second and third years.
We strive to provide a variety of styles for different tastes and lifestyles that are affordable, fashionable, and comfortable. We also sell below the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, and we do a lot of comparison shopping to ensure that our prices are below those of the many other stores we visit.
How long does a pair of shoes last?
A pair of shoes lasts only as long as they fit your baby’s feet comfortably. Don’t expect to be able to use the same pair for more than a month or two in your baby’s first year, or for more than 2-3 months in the second year. Of course, if you are asking how long a pair of shoes will maintain their usability, the answer is “longer than your baby will wear them!”
I heard that it’s bad to buy pre-owned shoes because they are “shaped” to another baby’s foot. Is it true?
This is one of those “it depends” questions. It is not a good idea to buy a shoe that’s already molded to another child’s foot, but it’s important to know when this is the case and when it is not.
Babies do not “break in” shoes, and soft shoes and booties do not permanently retain the shape left by a child’s foot. Babies simply do not stay in one shoe long enough to make any kind of imprint in it. In contrast, you do not want to buy a pre-owned shoe if a child of walking age wore it on a regular basis. If the child only wore the shoe a couple of times, you needn’t worry about it being broken in.
Does the make of the shoe (leather, synthetics, canvas, etc) make a difference?
It makes the greatest difference when your baby is of walking age, or is about to start walking. When your baby is learning to stand and take those first few steps, it is really important that the soles of the shoes be soft enough to allow your baby to feel the texture of the floor or other walking surface through the shoe. It is also important that your baby’s foot be able to breathe through the shoe and that the shoe be flexible and roomy enough to give the toes some wiggling room.
Returns and Exchanges
What is your return policy for baby shoes?
Our return policy for shoes is the same as our regular return policy (http://www.encorebaby.com/cat/return_policy.php). We accept returns on all new items as long as the tag is still attached and the item has not been tampered with, washed, or sullied.
What if my baby has a growth spurt and the shoes are too small by the time we receive them?
There are no “what ifs” about it! As soon as you cross “buy baby shoes” off your list, you may as well uncross it, because it will be time to go shopping again! It’s best to plan ahead by buying a size or two larger than your baby’s current size so that you are ready with a new pair when those little feet suddenly stop fitting comfortably in the shoes they are wearing right now.
If you have found this guide helpful in any way, please take a moment to vote "Yes" below! Your feedback matters to me! Thanks so much!
Learn more about our store Encore Baby at My World (www.EncoreBaby.com)
Even in the best of circumstances, buying shoes for babies can be a stressful experience. If you still haven't found the answer you are looking for after reading through this FAQ, please do not hesitate to contact us with your specific question. It is our goal to provide you with the information you need to make your shopping experience at EncoreBaby.com as pleasant as possible! And don't forget to check back often, as we will be increasing our shoe inventory with brand new, well-known product lines!
General
Why should my baby wear shoes at all?
The answer to this question depends on your personal tastes as well as geography. Keeping your baby barefoot around the house is probably just fine, but your little one’s feet may require more when you go out. Depending on the weather and how much time will be spent out of doors, you might want to protect your baby’s feet from getting sunburned in the summer and from suffering the cold in the winter. Shoes also help protect your baby’s feet from accidental injury like scratches or bumps.
When should my baby switch from soft-soled shoes to hard-soled shoes?
Soft-soled shoes are generally designed to be used as a foot covering to protect your baby’s feet, or as an accessory to an outfit. Hard-soled shoes are intended to be worn by babies who are able to stand on their own without support or are already walking.
Can shoes cause harm to a baby’s growing feet?
Certainly, if the size and fit are wrong for your baby. Babies who aren’t walking yet need extra room in the toe box to wiggle their toes, as well as softer soles that won’t interfere with their muscle development. Babies who are already walking need more protection against the rough surfaces beneath their feet, as well as some support for balance and stability.
As long as you know which type of shoe is appropriate for your baby’s current needs, you do not need to worry about causing harm.
Size and Fit
How should baby shoes fit?
For the pre-walker, you want to get soft-soled shoes that are loose-fitting. Your baby’s toes should never be able to touch the end of the shoe. Some shoe manufacturers list shoe size based on an age-to-size guideline, whereas others provide specific foot length measurements for each size. Do not rely on the age-to-size guideline, as your baby’s feet may not fall into the “average” size, nor may they be growing at the “average” rate. It’s best always to measure your child’s feet and then consult the shoe manufacturer’s Web site to determine which size is appropriate.
That having been said, we can also mention that many parents go ahead and follow the age-to-size guideline and just buy a size larger than their child’s age. That way, instead of risking buying shoes too small, it’s guaranteed that the shoes will be the correct size, even if they aren’t right now!
How do I know what size to get?
It depends on how the manufacturer defines its measurements. Some provide a downloadable measurement file, which is a .PDF file with different-sized outlines of feet so that you can compare them to your baby’s feet to determine the size. Others assign each shoe size a measurement in inches. And some simply provide an age-to-size guideline, which is the least reliable method of determining size.
We provide size information based on what is available to us from the manufacturer. Some of our shoe styles indicate size by the length of the baby’s foot in inches; other styles don’t have any information whatsoever. Over the course of time, we plan to only offer products that provide you with all the information you need to ensure that you are getting the size you need.
After we receive our order, how will we know if they fit properly?
There are several ways to determine whether the shoes are a good fit. If the shoe’s upper is soft enough, you should be able to grab a bit of material on top of the foot. If you can’t, it means the shoe might be too tight at the ball of the foot. You should also be able to squeeze your pinky between your baby’s heel and the shoe, as well as fit the full width of your thumb between the end of your baby’s toe and the tip of the shoe.
How can I tell the difference between soft-soled and hard-soled shoes when I am buying them online?
Because we carry multiple product lines, we cannot give you a hard-and-fast answer to this question. In most cases, shoes for newborns (size 0 and 1) are soft-soled, and shoes for toddlers, girls, and boys (size 5 and up) are hard-soled. The grey area is in our shoes for infants (sizes 2 thru 4), as shoes in these sizes come in both the soft-soled (pre-walker) and hard-soled (toddler) styles.
If the information is not clearly stated in the product description field (click on the specific product to get the detailed description), then we apologize to you for the oversight, and ask that you contact us (http://www.encorebaby.com/cat/contact_us.php) or call us toll-free at 1.877.870.2229 and we will provide you with the exact information you need about any of the shoes you are looking at!
Quality and Cost
How much should I expect to pay for baby shoes?
Remember that old adage, “You get what you pay for”? It holds true for baby shoes, too. However, it’s important to keep in mind that you may not necessarily need to get your baby a pair of gold-tipped Prada sandals, especially when your baby is likely to outgrow them within 1 or 2 months in their first year, and every 2 to 3 months in their second and third years.
We strive to provide a variety of styles for different tastes and lifestyles that are affordable, fashionable, and comfortable. We also sell below the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, and we do a lot of comparison shopping to ensure that our prices are below those of the many other stores we visit.
How long does a pair of shoes last?
A pair of shoes lasts only as long as they fit your baby’s feet comfortably. Don’t expect to be able to use the same pair for more than a month or two in your baby’s first year, or for more than 2-3 months in the second year. Of course, if you are asking how long a pair of shoes will maintain their usability, the answer is “longer than your baby will wear them!”
I heard that it’s bad to buy pre-owned shoes because they are “shaped” to another baby’s foot. Is it true?
This is one of those “it depends” questions. It is not a good idea to buy a shoe that’s already molded to another child’s foot, but it’s important to know when this is the case and when it is not.
Babies do not “break in” shoes, and soft shoes and booties do not permanently retain the shape left by a child’s foot. Babies simply do not stay in one shoe long enough to make any kind of imprint in it. In contrast, you do not want to buy a pre-owned shoe if a child of walking age wore it on a regular basis. If the child only wore the shoe a couple of times, you needn’t worry about it being broken in.
Does the make of the shoe (leather, synthetics, canvas, etc) make a difference?
It makes the greatest difference when your baby is of walking age, or is about to start walking. When your baby is learning to stand and take those first few steps, it is really important that the soles of the shoes be soft enough to allow your baby to feel the texture of the floor or other walking surface through the shoe. It is also important that your baby’s foot be able to breathe through the shoe and that the shoe be flexible and roomy enough to give the toes some wiggling room.
Returns and Exchanges
What is your return policy for baby shoes?
Our return policy for shoes is the same as our regular return policy (http://www.encorebaby.com/cat/return_policy.php). We accept returns on all new items as long as the tag is still attached and the item has not been tampered with, washed, or sullied.
What if my baby has a growth spurt and the shoes are too small by the time we receive them?
There are no “what ifs” about it! As soon as you cross “buy baby shoes” off your list, you may as well uncross it, because it will be time to go shopping again! It’s best to plan ahead by buying a size or two larger than your baby’s current size so that you are ready with a new pair when those little feet suddenly stop fitting comfortably in the shoes they are wearing right now.
If you have found this guide helpful in any way, please take a moment to vote "Yes" below! Your feedback matters to me! Thanks so much!
Learn more about our store Encore Baby at My World (www.EncoreBaby.com)
Guide created: 12/21/07 (updated 02/09/09)
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