Most of us are confused about shoe sizes for babies and toddlers. As a first-time mom, the size of these kiddies’ shoes will throw you off as it does not correlate to adult sizes. So what are the shoe sizes of babies and toddlers by their age in centimeters?
There is no direct correlation between shoe sizes and age. The parent will have to measure the length of their baby or toddler’s feet and go according to a size chart. Most stores have a sizing guide, but the sizes usually work according to measurements.
The sizes for your baby or toddler work differently than when shopping for yourself. However, there are a few things to consider regarding baby shoes and a way to measure to ensure the sizes will fit perfectly.
Guide To Baby And Toddler Shoe Sizes by Age And Cm
What size shoes or booties does the newborn wear? Or a 3-month-old baby? Or a 4-year-old toddler? It is not as easy as that. Luckily, there are ways to know and measure it out to be sure your child wears shoes comfortably.
Not all newborn babies will wear the same size shoes, socks, or booties. Some have prem babies with tiny feet, and others have bigger babies with more extended or puffier feet than usual. Thus it would be best to use measurements and not go by age to ensure the shoes fit, as with these ages, they will wear them for a short while before it is too small again.
| Size of Shoe (US) | Foot Length In Cm | Age Of Child |
| Newborn | 8.3 centimeters | Younger than six weeks to 3 months |
| 1 | 8.9 centimeters | Younger than six weeks to 3 months |
| 1.5 | 9.2 centimeters | Younger than six weeks to 3 months |
| 2 | 9.5 centimeters | Three months to 1 year |
| 2.5 | 10.2 centimeters | Three months to 1 year |
| 3 | 10.5 centimeters | Three months to 1 year |
| 3.5 | 10.8 centimeters | Three months to 1 year |
| 4 | 11.4 centimeters | Nine months to 2 years |
| 4.5 | 11.7 centimeters | Nine months to 2 years |
| 5 | 12.1 centimeters | Nine months to 2 years |
| 5.5 | 12.7 centimeters | Nine months to 2 years |
| 6 | 13 centimeters | Nine months to 2 years |
| 6.5 | 13.3 centimeters | Nine months to 2 years |
| 7 | 14 centimeters | Two years |
| 7.5 | 14.3 centimeters | Two years |
| 8 | 14.6 centimeters | Three years |
| 8.5 | 15.2 centimeters | Three years |
| 9 | 15.6 centimeters | Four years |
| 9.5 | 15.9 centimeters | Four years |
| 10 | 16.5 centimeters | Five years |
| 10.5 | 16.8 centimeters | Five years |
| 11 | 17.1 centimeters | Six years |
| 11.5 | 17.8 centimeters | Six years |
| 12 | 18.1 centimeters | Seven years |
How To Measure Baby Or Toddler Shoes
Using measurements is the most accurate and preferred way to get the correct size shoe for your baby or toddler. It takes more effort at first, but much less than trying on each size in the shop. Also, it is not strange for one foot to be slightly more significant than the other. Because of this, it is preferable to measure your child’s feet and know what sizes you can fit on them.
Babies and toddlers cannot tell you if the shoe is too tight or not, and that might be a problem if you are guessing a size. Too tight shoes can lead to damaging their growing feet.
Step 1: use a piece of paper or cardboard and a pen, place your baby’s feet on the form and trace it with a pencil. Ensure you press their feet down a bit so it is not too curled up.
Step 2: measure the length of the drawn foot (do this for the other foot as well), and write it down.
Step 3: use the sizing guide to see in which size range your baby’s foot length falls.
You can also place your baby’s foot on a surface and measure with a ruler or use a ribbon to determine the length, but the drawing is accurate enough, although it might take extra effort. Some online stores give a template you can print to measure your baby’s feet and determine the size.
Buying Shoe Sizes For Your Baby Or Toddler
The best approach would be to take your toddler with you to fit the shoe. Then, let them walk with it and look at any funny compensation they might do with the shoes.
When you put the shoe on, there should be half an inch of space between the toe and the front when you press on it. At the side, you need to be able to pinch a bit of the material. At the back, there needs to be a pinky space to fit between the foot and the shoe. If your child is between two shoe sizes, go for the bigger size instead.
Opt for shoes with flexible and grippy soles, lightweight, comfortable, and the correct size. You will also have to check your baby’s and toddler’s shoes regularly to ensure the size is still okay. They can move from one size to the next in 3 to 4 months, which might lead to you buying shoes more often than you thought.
FAQs about Baby Shoe Sizes
1. When Should Your Baby start wearing shoes?
Some will tell you shoes are bad for kids, but this isn’t the whole truth. Experts recommend that babies start wearing shoes when standing up against things and walking, around eight months to a year old.
The beautiful little pink shoes in sizes 1 and 2 might tempt you, or the lace-up booties you know your newborn boy will rock. Unfortunately, the problem with some of these shoes is that they are rigid and restrict foot movement.
Babies’ feet are their eyes during tummy time, and pediatricians recommend they be barefoot when possible. However, going out in the cold might require socks or soft booties, which is acceptable.
2. Why Are Baby Shoe Sizes So Varying?
You must have noted that the sizes of baby shoes are pretty varied according to the age, and you won’t necessarily walk into a store, get a size for a 10-month-old, and walk out being sure it will fit. However, as they grow older into the toddler stage, it becomes more regulated, and you might have a range of two or three sizes to try on your toddler’s foot.
Babies are born with undeveloped feet in different lengths, widths, and thickness ranges. As a result, some babies have chubby feet, and others have elongated skinny feet. Unfortunately, these feet are not working yet, and you can expect vast differences. For this reason, there are many sizes for babies, especially, so everyone will find a size.
3. What Size Is Best For A 1-Year-Old?
The best feeling is to visit the shop for your baby’s first walking shoes. This usually happens around 1-year, and it can be confusing to see all the different shoes and sizes. Which one would be best and which size? According to the guide above, a one-year-old’s feet can range from a size 2 to a size 3.5.
Look for shoes that are light and fastens higher on the ankle so they do not lose it. Shoes and walking might be new to them, and comfort is vital. The best would be to measure your 1-year-old’s feet to ensure you buy the correct size.
Conclusion
Your little kids will fly through shoes, but it is up to you if you want to buy shoes every three months or let them go barefoot as long as possible. Luckily, you have a guide to follow on the sizes to make this difficult task a little easier.
