Pediped

pediped™ footwear are designed to be the 'next best thing to bare feet'. They allow children's feet to develop naturally and provide optimal support and protection during the developmental stages of babies' feet - from the initial crawl to the first steps and beyond.
pediped™ footwear's unsurpassed quality and craftsmanship have earned it a loyal following.
Premium grade leather, distinctive styling and remarkable attention to detail have resulted in a truly exceptional shoe. pediped™ footwear have caught the attention of parents, grandparents and celebrities alike.
officially recognized by the American Podiatric Medical Association as contributing to better foot health, pediped™ footwear are a smart choice for parents concerned with the long-term development of their children's feet.

Expert Opinions

WHAT TO EXPECT THE FIRST YEAR by Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg and Sandee Hathaway

"Shoes for infants should be lightweight, made of breathable material (leather or cloth, but not plastic) with soles so flexible that you can feel baby's toes through them (hard soles are absolutely out). Shoes with stiff ankle support (hightops) are not only unnecessary and unhealthy for feet now, but will be when baby starts walking too". "Shoes that bend fairly easily when the toe is bent up will interfere least with the foot's natural motion. Your best bet is to look for a leather or rubber sole shoe that bends easily." "To stay healthy, feet need to breathe and to get plenty of exercise. They breathe best, and have the most freedom of movement in shoes of leather, cloth or canvas. Plastic or imitation leather is usually stifling and sometimes still and tends to cause the feet to sweat excessively."

THE BABY BOOK by William Sears MD and Martha Sears MD

"As a general guide, the earlier the stage of walking, the thinner and more flexible the sole should be. Before buying a shoe, bend it in your hand to test it's flexibility. Then watch your baby walk. The shoe bend at the ball of the foot as your baby takes each step. Avoid stiff shoe for young feet. If you have difficulty bending the shoe in your hand, leave it in the store." "The throat of the shoe (the area across the top of the shoe just below the laces) and the sides should crease easily when your baby takes a step. If they don't it means your baby's foot wear is not flexible enough and the foot can't bend naturally while baby walks."