The Baby Shoe Mistake Most Parents Make (And How jbrds + Sizewise Help You Avoid It)
When your baby starts pulling themselves up, it feels like they have started walking in the blink of an eye. Naturally, it's every parent’s instinct to rush to get their first infant's shoes.
Many parents, thinking it's the best choice, choose ‘a size up’ so the shoes last longer.
It sounds practical, but research indicates that oversized shoes can make walking more difficult. Loose heels, curled toes, and shaky balance mean extra work for little legs, which are still learning to walk.
In this blog, we provide you with insight into the baby shoe mistakes most parents make.
At jbrds, we’ve found a better way: measure at home, confirm with Sizewise AI, and choose a fit that supports healthy foot development from day one.
The #1 Sizing Mistake With Infant Shoes
When it comes to buying anything for a kid, the most followed myth is to go for one size bigger. But the fact is, it's never the right choice.
When infant shoes are too big, the heel lifts, the midfoot collapses, and the shoe bends where it shouldn’t. That means your child’s natural stride gets replaced with a “keep the shoe on” shuffle.
Early walkers need two things: a heel that stays put and a forefoot that bends where toes bend. Without that, every step is a compromise.
Getting the size right the first time isn’t overthinking it; it’s giving your kids a steady foundation for every first step they take.
How Oversized Infant Shoes Disrupt Natural Development
Every parent wants every milestone to come naturally. But the wrong shoe fit can nudge walking habits in the wrong direction before you even notice.
In the early ages, babies’ feet are mostly cartilage, with bones forming quickly. Every wobble, grip, and push-off now is part of building their lifelong gait.
Here’s what happens when toddler shoes don’t fit:
- The toes grip inside the shoe to prevent it from slipping.
- The stance widens, resulting in a waddling gait.
- Red marks appear where the shoe rubs against the skin.
- Tripping becomes more frequent.
Little habits in how your baby walks can stick for years of their growth. The right shoe fit helps prevent them from forming in the first place.
The Fast Fix: A Simple At-Home Sizing Protocol
If you’ve ever avoided shoe shopping because it feels like guesswork, there’s good news: you can size accurately at home in just a few minutes.
Here’s a simple method that works:
- Have your child stand on a piece of paper and trace both feet.
- Measure length and width in the afternoon (feet swell a bit during the day after walking and playing).
- Add about ½ inch for growth.
- Recheck every 6–8 weeks. Kids' feet grow faster than you realize.
With this process, there are no more constant store trips, no endless returns.
Sizewise AI: First-Try Precision for Infant Shoes
Even with careful measuring, it’s easy to second-guess yourself. Should you go up a size? Stick with what you measured? That’s where Sizewise AI comes in.
It converts your at-home measurements and your child’s growth stage into a precise size and width recommendation, allowing you to make informed purchases with confidence.
Here’s how to make Sizewise AI work for you:
- Measure your child’s feet using the at-home method.
- Enter the details into Sizewise AI.
- Get a size and width suggestion with fit notes.
It cuts down the hassle of returns and “they’ll grow into them” mistakes. This process helps you pick shoes that truly support your child’s movement. When you trust the size, you free your child to walk more naturally and more confidently.
Fit First, Then Features: The jbrds Design Advantage.
Once you’ve nailed the fit, you can start looking at features, and this is where jbrds shines. These shoes are designed with your child’s anatomy in mind, ensuring a fit that supports both development and comfort.
That’s what jbrds’s “Anatomy-Led, Play-Ready” mindset entails: designs shaped by how little feet are built, so every run, climb, and tumble happens naturally and comfortably. Here are the features our shoes offer:
- Wide toe box for natural toe spread
- Stable heel cup to keep feet secure
- Forefoot flex grooves for a natural push-off
- Lightweight, breathable uppers for all-day play
When the size is right, these features work exactly as they should, helping your child walk, run, and explore with ease.
Quick Checklist: Spotting a Good vs. Bad Fit in 60 Seconds
For working parents, a full fitting session could be unmanageable. The provided checklist can help you determine if your child’s shoes are suitable for daily wear. Here’s what a kid’s first shoe must have:
- The heel must stay secure while walking
- It must bend at the ball of the foot (not the arch)
- Must have around ½ inch of toe space
- It must be free from tripping or toe-curling
What you must avoid is:
- Leaving more than ½ inch of extra “room to grow”
- Hand-me-downs already shaped by another child’s foot
If all the checks apply, your child’s shoes are ready for action.
Choose Clarity, Choose jbrds
Buying your child’s first shoes is exciting, but sizing up “just in case” can do more harm than good. The wrong fit can slow development and make those first steps less steady.
Your best move is simple: measure at home, confirm with Sizewise AI, and choose shoes designed to support healthy, confident movement.
When the fit comes first, every step forward feels natural for your child and you.
Shop jbrds’ fresh collection today!