Day 283 - How to Get Shoes On

Today's first time parenting tip - Press down on the tops of your baby's foot to get them to flatten out their feet.

Infant's aren't exactly the most cooperative creatures when it comes to getting dressed. They're usually squirming all over the place and a fair about of "baby wrangling" is the norm for any trip out of the house, especially during the winter months.

Here's a trick my dad taught me for getting a baby to uncurl his toes while you're putting on shoes. Grasp their ankle so that your thumb rests on the top of their foot just below where it starts to run into their leg. Gently press down here, and their toes should uncurl.

This same trick can be applied to hands that are balled up into fists. If you gently press with your thumb on the back of their hand, you should see the fingers unfold.

Parenting, Clothes, Dress, Shoes

Day 275 - Shoeless

Today's first time parenting tip - Take shoes off your baby while they are learning to walk.

Baby shoes could possibly be everyone's favorite part of a baby's outfit. Everyone oohs and ahhs over how small they are, how feet could possibly be so tiny, etc. etc.

But putting shoes on your baby while they're learning to walk can make it harder for them to get the hang of taking steps.

Usually, shoes have rubber soles that have no slip or give. That means that an unstable baby who may be shuffling his feet or sliding them around won't have that necessary give he needs to stay up. And that means he's going to bite the dust.

Shoes can also be big and clunky on your baby's feet, making it easier for them to trip themselves up.

So if your infant is walking around inside or doesn't need to be wearing shoes for appearances, make sure you take them off as often as possible. An alternative would be to opt for shoes with a leather sole, so they've got a little slip to them and won't trip up your baby.

Parenting, Shoes, Walk, Development, Learn