Choosing the right baby shoes may seem like a small matter, but if you consider that the average adult will walk around 185 000 kilometres in a lifetime, it’s a step not to be taken lightly.
The foot comprises 26 bones and 35 joints which are supported by lots of ligaments.Interestingly, a baby only has 22 of these bones in his foot and will develop the others during childhood.  And because an infant’s foot bones are formed of soft, pliable cartilage, they are more susceptible to damage and need proper care and protection, particularly from baby shoes.
Babies start walking anytime between eight and 18 months, with a new walker estimated to take around 170 steps a minute.That’s a long way for a baby to travel, so it’s important that baby’s shoes do the job properly!
How do we know if the children’s shoes that we’ve chosen are the right ones ?
There should be no compromise on softness and pliability.Leather is by far the best choice, and See Kai Run makes hand-crafted kids shoes from soft-as-butter sheepskin leather with soles of flexible rubber.  
See Kai Run is a US-based baby and children’s shoe manufacturer, and has won the American Podiatric Medical Association’s seal of approval for its strict health and functionality codes. With a new website especially for Australian and New Zealand customers, getting your little one’s feet into See Kai Run’s vibrant, urban mod classics, is no more than a couple of quick, easy… steps !
Kids’ shoes should fit securely but not tightly.To allow for growth, there should be a one to two centimetre gap from the end of the toes.  You should check this often, as children’s feet grow quickly and their shoes may need updating every few months.Incorrectly fitted shoes in children can lead to foot problems. 
Importantly, the foot should not slip around the shoe which could cause damage to the child’s heel or toe.Open sandals should be secured by a strap over the instep and closed shoes should have comfortable, pliable collars for support.
Soles should be flat, with flexibility where the ball of the foot rests. The inner edge of kids’ shoes should be as straight as possible to support the foot, and the heel cup should be firm and fit snugly. 
Footwear should have a rounded toe that allows freedom of movement. 
See Kai Run has three different ranges of kids’ shoes, one for babies up to 18 months, the second for younger kids from 3 – 8 years and one for kids up to 11. 
Children’s feet only develop fully when they reach 16 to 18 years of age.  From the pitter patter of little feet to the strides of grownups, choosing the correct baby shoes will get everyone to put their best foot forward.