A child’s first steps are unforgettable and uplifting moments for every parent. This slightly wobbly yet brave sequence of movements will be refined by the little one over time. It’s essential what kind of shoes they wear as they begin to explore the world - shoes that allow their sense of balance and posture to develop properly. The right shoes support the development of healthy arches, which later contributes to good posture. But poorly chosen footwear can hinder this process - and may even deform the feet. A baby’s “brand-new” feet are cushioned with soft fat pads, which is why their soles appear almost flat. The formation of arches relies heavily on the regular movement and engagement of the ligaments and muscles in the soles. The most intense period for strengthening the muscles around the feet and ankles is during the toddler phase - when children are learning to walk. That’s why it’s so important for them to walk barefoot as much as possible, or in Soft Sole Shoes that offer the same benefits as being barefoot.
A lightweight, flexible, and breathable soft-soled shoe is an ideal choice for bigger kids:
Liliputi Love® Shoes are available up to age 6, in a variety of styles and sizes.
In addition to soft-soled shoes, it’s recommended that older children also have rubber-soled shoes for outdoor use—on flat surfaces, asphalt, or in wet and muddy weather. While these shoes adapt less to uneven ground, they are water- and abrasion-resistant. Even for bigger kids, it's worth choosing flexible rubber-soled shoes for outdoor wear, which can help reduce the impact on joints.
There's a well-known saying: “a dirty child is a happy child!” This holds a bit of truth for shoes too. Choosing soft-soled footwear means you’re prioritizing your child’s healthy foot development over keeping their shoes looking pristine. Soft, baby-friendly untreated leather doesn’t have the same abrasion resistance as rigid, reinforced, or synthetic shoes—but your child’s feet will feel much better in them. And even so, most Liliputi Love® shoes have more than one little owner—they’re often passed down to one or even two younger siblings.
At this stage, children’s feet are naturally flat, and “bow-legged” (O-shaped legs) is common. Their soles are surrounded by soft fat pads, their instep is high, and the foot arches have not yet developed. This is completely normal and does not require intervention. Changes begin when children start to stand and walk, as this starts the process of strengthening their muscles and balancing skills.
During this period, children’s legs often appear “knock-kneed” (X-shaped legs), which is a normal part of development. This tends to be more pronounced in girls. Inward turning of the feet is also common. The foot arches gradually develop, and the muscles strengthen as the child becomes more active.
The foot arches continue to develop, and the child’s foot posture increasingly resembles that of adults. Usually, the earlier “knock-knee” or “bow-legged” appearance corrects itself during this period. It’s important that children continue to move a lot and ideally go barefoot or wear flexible-soled shoes to support proper muscle development.
By this stage, children’s foot arches are generally well-formed, their movement is more coordinated, and muscles become stronger. The “child’s foot” gradually takes on the characteristics of an adult foot. It remains important to stay active, walk barefoot when possible, and wear flexible-soled footwear, since bone development is not fully complete until around age 10.
At any stage, if a child’s foot posture differs significantly from normal and is accompanied by pain, movement limitations, or other symptoms, it’s advisable to seek professional evaluation. Early recognition and intervention can help prevent later problems.
Warning signs include:
That mostly depends on where and how you plan to use your Liliputi shoes.
The differences lie in durability, slip resistance, shoe care, and price.
But if you'll often be out and about on paved or damp surfaces, or have slippery floors at home or daycare, the Paws version with its non-slip sole is your best bet.
Materials
Our shoes are made from premium-quality materials, all sourced from within the European Union. Each pair is handcrafted in Hungary. Liliputi Love® shoes are made using only baby-safe materials.
Environmental awareness
We fully comply with - and often exceed - EU regulations regarding harmful substances and environmental protection.
We use boxes made from recycled paper and ship our products in reused packaging materials. Throughout our production and sourcing processes, we place special emphasis on sustainability. Whenever possible, we offer repairs instead of replacements - because we believe in taking responsibility for the world our children will grow up in.
Water resistance
Liliputi Love® shoes are not waterproof. On rainy or wet days, switch to rubber-soled shoes.
If your Liliputi Love® shoes get wet, simply let them air dry at room temperature. Do not place them on a radiator or use a hairdryer.
Care instructions
The leather uppers can be cleaned with a damp cloth and dried at room temperature. You can treat them occasionally with a colourless leather balm. For leather soles, regularly check the texture - if needed, gently roughen the surface with fine sandpaper to restore grip. The Paws soles can be cleaned with a damp cloth or a soft-bristled shoe brush.
SIZE | APPROXIMATE AGE | EU-SIZE | INNER SOLE LENGHT |
S | 6-12 mos | 17-18 | 11,3 cm |
M | 12-18 mos | 19-20 | 12,6 cm |
L | 18-24 mos | 21-22 | 14,0 cm |
XL | 2-3 years | 22-23 | 15,0 cm |
XXL | 3-4 years | 24-25 | 16,0 cm |
XXXL | 4-5 years | 26-27 | 17,3 cm |
XXXXL | 5-6 years | 28-29 | 18,3 cm |
'A child’s very first steps are a milestone - not only for us as parents, but also for the child. From that moment on, their life enters a completely new phase. Walking allows for much faster and more efficient movement than previous motor skills, but it’s also a major challenge for the still-developing nervous system. At this stage, babies take small steps with a wide stance, spending more time with their feet on the ground than in the air. Their walking pattern is still very different from that of adults. The arches of the feet haven’t yet formed - their soles are still flat. After learning to stand, their nervous system develops rapidly. During the first 3–6 months of learning to walk, practicing this skill is just as important as neurological development. They may fall often, but they can already stand up without help — this is how coordination, balance, strength, and endurance improve. The best support for this development is barefoot walking. Babies need to feel the ground beneath them - including its unevenness. That’s when the foot muscles strengthen most, helping form healthy arches and posture in the long term. That’s why it’s so important what kind of shoes we put on their feet. The ideal shoes should have a soft, thin, flexible sole that doesn’t slip — while still protecting little feet from the outside world. Many children in this stage may walk with their feet turned inward (or outward), or may tiptoe often — this is a natural part of development and not considered a disorder at this age. Good shoes allow the toes, soles, and ankles to move freely - giving babies the support they need without restricting their natural development.'
'During the learning-to-walk stage, it is very important that children only wear shoes that come as close as possible to being barefoot. Liliputi Love® soft sole shoes, as an alternative to barefoot walking, provide an opportunity for proper muscle function and the development of healthy foot arches later on.
The features of Liliputi Love® shoes:
Please note: Soft leather helps to closely follow the natural movement of the foot and preserves the benefits of barefoot walking. However, due to the nature of the material, it obviously cannot withstand mechanical stresses as well as some synthetic or rubber-based products.
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