Ditch the Baby Footwear: Why Babies Need To Be Barefoot
The topic of the best footwear for babies often comes up in my daily office visits. Many parents understand the idea that being barefoot helps babies develop the skills they need to walk and move best.
In the past, many of us were told that chunky, “sturdy” shoes would support us while we were learning to walk. Case in point – I can remember this photo of myself as a one-year-old proudly wearing a pair of white, chunky lace up shoes before I could even walk – I bet you have one too.
Why Babies Learn to Walk Best Without Shoes
Babies develop and learn to move their bodies best when they don’t have any interference from objects like socks or especially shoes. In this post, I want to dive into why this is so critical when it comes to walking, and why it plays such a big role in overall development.
The Anatomy and Function of the Foot
The human foot is a complex structure, made up of 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, ligaments, and tendons. That’s a lot of moving parts that need to develop properly in order for our bodies to function well!
What’s even more fascinating is that the feet are rich with proprioceptors—specialized sensory receptors that provide the brain with information about the position and movement of the body in space. The soles of our feet are one of the most sensory-rich areas of the entire body. This sensory input plays a crucial role in how we move and balance, especially as babies begin to develop coordination.
The Sensory Systems: Proprioception and Vestibular Sense
Most of us are familiar with the five basic senses: touch, taste, sight, hearing, and smell. But there are two additional senses that are just as important when it comes to physical development: proprioception and the vestibular sense.
Proprioception refers to our ability to sense where our body parts are in space and how they’re moving. This sense is vital when babies are learning to roll, crawl, and walk. The proprioceptors in the feet provide important feedback to the brain about balance, pressure, and positioning. When babies wear shoes, especially ones with stiff soles, this feedback is restricted, and their brains receive less valuable information.
The vestibular sense is responsible for our sense of balance and spatial orientation. It helps the body understand changes in head position, posture, and center of gravity. As babies learn to move, all of their sensory systems—including proprioception and vestibular input—work together to help them coordinate purposeful actions like sitting up, standing, and walking.
Why Being Barefoot Helps
One of the most effective ways to support the development of proprioception and the vestibular sense is to let babies spend as much time as possible barefoot.
While shoes are necessary later on to protect the feet from injury, the less restrictive the footwear during the early stages, the better. By letting babies learn to move barefoot, we give their bodies the freedom to build strength and coordination naturally.
Benefits of Walking Barefoot
- Promotes healthy foot development: Barefoot walking strengthens the muscles and ligaments in the feet, including the arch, which is essential for optimal biomechanics.
- Improves proprioception: Helps babies develop a strong sense of body position and movement in space.
- Supports better posture: Strengthens core muscles and improves alignment.
- Tactile stimulation: Walking barefoot allows babies to feel a variety of textures—grass, sand, dirt, carpet, tile, wood —which provides sensory input that aids brain development.
- Encourages brain growth: Sensory input from the feet supports the nervous system, helping babies stay focused and aware of their surroundings.
How to Encourage Barefoot Movement
- Avoid hard-soled shoes: Choose shoes with soft, flexible soles when footwear is needed.
- Let babies go barefoot at home: Encourage crawling, rolling, standing, and walking without shoes when indoors.
- Get outdoors: Let babies explore natural surfaces like grass, dirt, sand, or wood. This variety of textures helps improve sensory awareness.
- Choose flexible shoes: If shoes are necessary, make sure they have flexible soles and are wide enough to allow for foot growth and movement.
Supporting Kids with Biomechanical Abnormalities
While being barefoot is generally beneficial for most babies and toddlers, it’s important to note that some children may need additional support due to biomechanical issues such as low muscle tone or foot/ankle instability. Children with these conditions may struggle with balance and coordination, and in these cases, barefoot movement alone may not be enough.
For kids with low tone, poor stability, or other mechanical issues, proper footwear becomes essential for their development. Supportive shoes—such as high-top sneakers or specialized footwear—can help provide the stability they need to walk confidently. In some cases, orthotic braces may also be recommended to support the feet and ankles, depending on the child’s individual needs.
Every child is different, and as a pediatric chiropractor, I take a personalized approach to care. If your child has biomechanical abnormalities, we can work together to determine the best footwear options to help them develop healthy walking patterns and build strength in their feet and legs. The right shoes can make a significant difference in helping children with these challenges move and grow more comfortably.
Final Thoughts
It’s never too late to encourage proper movement and sensory development, whether your child is a baby just learning to walk or an older child working on balance and coordination. Letting your baby go barefoot as much as possible, while also paying attention to any biomechanical concerns, will help lay the foundation for strong, healthy movement skills. And remember: movement isn’t just about walking; it’s about creating a strong, balanced body that supports lifelong health.
