Your baby’s feet will grow a lot during the first three years of life. They’re probably already much bigger than those tiny, soft feet you couldn’t stop stroking when she was newborn. A foot contains 26 bones though your baby’s feet will comprise of cartilage until they harden into bones by adulthood. Feet absorb shock as we run, walk and jump. A toddler’s feet need to be able to absorb more shock simply because toddlers are much more active than adults.

You’ve probably been desperate to buy a cute little pair of Mary Janes ever since your baby was born, but you won’t need to buy your baby’s first shoes until she has mastered walking. Barefoot is best for babies who are crawling and learning how to walk. Staying barefoot is best for the development of the bones in your baby’s feet. When possible, you should leave your child barefoot as long as possible throughout the day. There will be times, however, when cold weather or outdoor play mean your little one needs a pair of shoes.

Fitted pre-walkers are a great place to start. These shoes are flexible, allowing your baby’s feet to develop as naturally as possible. Shock absorbant soles will help to protect your baby’s feet from the toddling, jumping and falling your baby does each day.

When should I buy my baby’s first pair of shoes?

Once your baby is a confident walker, it’s time to invest in a decent pair of shoes. It’s important that the shoes fit properly as this will aid natural development of your baby’s foot structure. Take your child to a shop store where a qualified assistant will be able to measure your child’s feet and advise you on the best shoes to buy. You may want to consider the following when choosing your baby’s first shoes:

• the sole – the sole should be flexible to allow good movement. You may also want to choose shoes with good grips to reduce the risk of falling.
• the material – plastic shoes may increase sweating, so you may prefer to choose canvas, cotton or leather shoes for your baby.

You’ll need to take your baby to have her feet measured at least every two months for the next few years. Babies feet grow fast and improperly fitting shoes can affect how your baby’s feet develop. New shoes aren’t cheap, but your baby’s growth will slow down a bit by the time she is four years old. Avoid secondhand shoes, these may already be moulded to the feet of the previous owner and could affect the development of your own baby’s feet.

Is your baby ready for her first shoes yet?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Hopefully, you have your camera ready when your little one takes his first steps. Walking is a big developmental milestone you may be eagerly anticipating.

When you baby walks is dependent on several factors, such as his muscle strength, coordination and temperament. For example, a high energy baby may be ready to get going sooner than a mellow, cautious baby.

Most babies start to walk between 12 and 15 months, but that is not set in stone. Try not to worry if your baby is taking her time learning to walk. She will walk on her timetable. But if you have any concerns, speak to your pediatrician.

Although babies walk at different ages, there are things you can do to encourage your baby to take that adorable first step. For example, make sure your baby gets plenty of tummy time from a young age. Tummy time helps strengthen your baby’s back muscles, which is essential for walking.

When your baby is strong enough to sit up, roll a ball back and forth to her. As she reaches for the ball, she moves forward and back and side to side. All these movements help her strengthen muscles and develop balance.

As your little one gets older, play games that encourage motor skill development. For example, get down on the floor and crawl around with your baby chasing him. This may make your baby move faster, and helps improves his coordination.

Of course, standing is a precursor to walking, so you can also help your baby develop this important skill. While your baby is sitting, hold his hands and pull him up to a standing position. Once your little cruiser gets to a standing position, he may not know how to get back down. Show him how to bend his legs to sit back down without taking a tumble.

Push toys can also help your baby get the hang of putting one foot in front of the other. Push toys, such as a pint-sized shopping cart or push truck help your baby develop balance and coordination. Look for a toy that has a wide base for support and won’t tumble over while your baby is holding onto it.

Consider skipping the socks and shoes indoors. It’s easier for your baby to learn to walk if her tootsies are bare. Your baby’s bare feet grip the floor better than when she is wearing socks. You may also want to avoid walkers since they may prevent upper leg muscles from developing properly, which delays walking.

Make sure you have updated your baby proofing since she’ll be on the move. Lastly, offer lots of praise and encouragement, and before you know it, you will be chasing a very quick toddler around.

Written by MaryAnn DePietro @ writerlady34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

It happens so fast, they say. In the blink of an eye, your baby is no longer a baby. They go from helpless to running overnight, it seems.

For most parents, these mobile development milestones are accompanied by a mix of excitement, pride, and sadness. Excitement and pride because, whoa! Baby’s walking. Sadness because, your baby may not be a “baby” much longer.

There is also often some concern mixed in as well, mostly when your little one doesn’t seem to be hitting his or her mobile development milestones as quickly as other children you know. In general, these concerns are unfounded; there can be a wide range of “normal” when it comes to developmental milestones. But if you’re wondering what that range might be, here are some basic guidelines:

• Solo Sitting Up: This can happen anywhere from 5 to 8 months. You can help your baby to reach this milestone by practicing the sitting position with you always nearby to catch any falls.
• Crawling: Crawling usually happens between 6 and 10 months, though how crawling begins can vary. Some babies start scootching early on, others master the army crawl (pulling themselves around by their arms) others may not attempt to get mobile until they are ready to crawl perfectly, and others still may never crawl at all—transitioning straight to walking instead.
• Cruising: Between 8 and 12 months, your baby will start pulling him or herself up on furniture items and “cruising” around while holding on for support.
• Standing: Between 9 and 15 months, your baby may begin standing completely unassisted for a few seconds at a time.
• Walking: This is one milestone, especially, that has a very wide range of normal. Some babies are walking at 9 months, some won’t take those first steps until just shy of 18 months. In general, the year marker is when your baby will most likely start to show signs of walking. But even if it takes a few more months than that, there is no reason to fret. Any steps before 18 months can be normal.

Once your baby is walking, plenty of other milestones will follow. From navigating the stairs to kicking a ball, your little one is about to conquer the world in leaps and bounds. You can assist in the accomplishment of many of those milestones by providing opportunities for safe practice, but always remember that development rates vary and that it’s perfectly okay if it takes your baby a little longer than the baby down the street.

Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.

 This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general informational basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.