How To Choose The Right Size Shoe for Your Baby

It's no question that every child is unique and grows and develops at a different pace. Customers, usually parents, are often asking us for guidance on how to choose the right size shoe for their baby. 'Do we size up and allow them to 'grow into them'?' 'How much wriggle room is required?' 'What if they stretch?'  

Our handy baby shoe size chart is certainly a great place to start when choosing the right size for your baby and toddler. It is tempting to simply choose a size based on what you've purchased previously. Given there is no standard Australian kids shoe sizing, different brands size their shoes differently. Each manufacturer has its own standards, patterns, and measurements as to what they deem "average" for a particular size, so there is no right answer, per se. Some brands make their shoes from rigid materials while others are more flexible resulting in a looser fit. Our shoes are made from soft, flexible leather which is strong, durable and supportive of little feet. By using our size guide and the notes below, you should have no trouble finding the right size for your bub. If you still have questions, get in touch here.

1. Measure your baby's feet

Measuring a baby's foot can be a challenge but its necessary to find the right size.

To get a proper foot measurement of your wiggly little one, the first step is to equip yourself with a pen/pencil, piece of paper and a ruler. Easy! 

Grab the piece of paper and lie it flat on the ground up against a wall. Kindly ask your little one (aka soon to be new SK shoe recipient) to stand up straight with one foot on the paper. Ensure they are bare foot, are weight bearing and standing up against the wall. With your pen/pencil, trace around their heel and toes on the paper. Try to trace as close to their foot as possible and repeat for both feet. Once both feet have been traced, grab your ruler and measure in a straight line from the end of their big toe to the back of the heel or otherwise the end of the piece of paper or the wall. Note down the centimetre length of each foot. As one foot will likely be longer than the other, it is important to take note of the length of their longest foot. Hang on... you're not done yet! 

2. Then, leave a little bit extra

It is important to add some growth room to your measurement. 

We recommend around 0.5-1.0cm for babies and 1.0cm for toddlers. In other words, the right size shoe should measure 1 adult pinkie finger than their longest foot. It is tempting to go up a size knowing that your little one may soon outgrow their shoes. However, unless you plan on keeping them in the cupboard for the next few months, please don't buy shoes that are too big. As you would know, shoes that are too big are uncomfortable and can damage little feet.  

Once you add the grow room to the foot length of the largest foot, refer to our baby shoe size guide.

3. Refer to our size chart

NOTE: Please measure your child's foot from heel to big toe on both feet. Add an extra 0.5-1.0cm for babies and 1.0cm for toddlers. *Approx. age is purely an average of the ages and sizes can actually vary quite a bit. 

Toddlers outgrow their shoes quickly. A new pair may be too small after just three to four months. To ensure a proper fit, be sure to measure up every few months.

Happy measuring and we look forward to seeing your order in our inbox shortly! 

Jane, Sommerfugl Kids x