Babies should not have to break in their shoes. After your baby has toddled around the store in the new shoes for a while, take the shoes off and check baby's feet for any signs of chafing or pinching. If the shoes rub or seem to make walking difficult, find another pair. You should be able to put your pinky finger in between the heel of the shoe and the baby's foot, and there should be about a thumb-width between baby's toes and the end of the shoe.
baby shoes
babies wear
Just like adults, babies' feet can sometimes swell towards the end of a hard day. Shopping for baby's walking shoes later in the day will ensure the shoes are not too tight when baby's tootsies are tired. Plan your shopping trip for after a nap or at a time when your baby is normally in a good mood. Getting a cranky, tired baby to walk around and model shoes won't make for a pleasant trip
babies wear
Check the fit of your baby's shoes at least once a month. All babies grow at different rates, but you can expect to buy shoes in bigger sizes at least every three to six months. Some babies, like my daughter, will require bigger shoes almost monthly. Check for signs of wear on the shoes and be ready to replace them if the bottoms crack or if there are holes in top or sides. Babies and toddlers will find plenty of things to trip over, so be sure their shoes aren't part of the problem