Expert advice from Rebecca, Lead Musculoskeletal Podiatrist at Surrey Foot Service.
Everyone remembers when their child took their first steps… but then what?
Once babies are up and moving, many parents start to wonder how best to support them, how to keep them safe, confident, and comfortable, while still allowing their little feet to develop naturally.
To help answer some of the most common (and worrying!) questions, we spoke to Rebecca, Lead Podiatrist (Musculoskeletal Specialist) at Surrey Foot Service (MRCPod, HCPC Registered), to share expert, reassuring advice for parents navigating those precious early stages.
Whether your little one is crawling, cruising or wobbling their way towards walking, here’s what you need to know.
When Do Babies Usually Start Walking? (And What’s 'Normal'?)
One of the biggest sources of parental anxiety is timing, especially when comparisons creep in.
According to Rebecca, the normal range for babies walking is much broader than many parents realise:
“The most common bracket is anywhere from around 9 months to 18–20 months. That’s a huge variation, and it’s completely normal.”
Some babies walk early, some much later, and both can be perfectly healthy. Rebecca reassures parents that variation is expected, and comparing your child to others can create unnecessary stress.
Key takeaway: There’s no “right” age. Focus on your child’s individual progress, not the calendar.
Barefoot, Socks, or Shoes? What’s Best for Early Movers
For crawling, cruising, and early walking, Rebecca strongly supports barefoot time whenever it’s safe:
“Babies use their feet almost like hands at first, for texture, temperature and balance. Barefoot allows their feet to feel and adapt naturally.”
However, there are times when protection is important, such as outdoors, on hot surfaces, in unfamiliar environments, on slippery floors, or in busy group settings.
In those moments, Rebecca recommends:
-
Soft
-
Flexible
-
Lightweight
-
Squishable footwear
This allows the foot to move naturally while still offering protection.
Tip: Structured, heavy, or rigid shoes can actually make early walking harder to master.
Supporting Confidence in Pre-Walkers & Cruisers
Before walking comes cruising, pulling up, pivoting, shuffling, and standing with support.
Rebecca recommends:
-
Lots of floor time
-
Safe furniture or surfaces to pull up on
-
Freedom to explore at their own pace
-
Encouragement through play (music, dancing, games)
“Giving babies opportunities to try is a huge part of learning. You can’t force milestones, but you can create a safe environment for them to explore.”
Falls Are Normal, Here’s When to Worry
Falls are a natural (and necessary) part of learning to walk.
“Falling is how children learn to balance. It’s part of developing stability. But as parent's its natural to want to prevent slips.”
Rebecca suggests parents look for overall progress rather than perfection. However, seek advice if:
-
Skills suddenly regress
-
There’s a significant head injury
-
Milestones are very delayed
-
Your instincts tell you something isn’t quite right
“Trust your gut. Getting reassurance is always better than worrying alone.”
How to Reduce Slips & Tumbles at Home and at Baby Groups
While you can’t (and shouldn’t) eliminate all falls, you can reduce unnecessary risks by:
-
Childproofing key areas
-
Supervising closely in unfamiliar environments
-
Using protective, flexible footwear in busy or slippery settings
This is where soft, non-slip shoes can be particularly helpful, offering protection without restricting natural movement, especially on smooth floors, poolside, and in shared spaces. Parents often choose Slipfree non-slip shoes for babies and toddlers for extra grip and peace of mind.
Choosing First Walker Footwear: What to Look For
Look for footwear that is soft, flexible, and foot-shaped. Shoes like Slipfree’s flexible sole shoes are designed to bend and move with little feet, rather than forcing them into a rigid shape.
Rebecca’s checklist for early walker footwear:
✔ Soft & flexible
✔ Lightweight
✔ Wide toe box
✔ Foot-shaped (not narrow or pointy)
✔ Squishable sole
✔ Room to grow
“You should be able to fold the shoe completely. Early walkers don’t need structure, they need freedom to move.”
What Footwear Should Parents Avoid?
Rebecca advises avoiding:
- Heavy shoes
- Rigid soles
- Narrow or tight styles
- Mini adult-style fashion shoes
“They may look cute, but they can make walking more difficult to master.”
How to Check Your Child’s Shoe Fit at Home
Because sizing varies by brand, Rebecca recommends measuring again with each brand you buy, and not relying on one size fitting all. Take a look at her simple at-home tips:
-
Leave a thumb’s width at the front
-
Check that the shoe matches your child’s foot shape
-
Draw around your child’s foot and compare it to the shoe (this is a great trick for shopping without your child)
-
Make sure toes aren’t squashed or restricted at all
Flat Feet, Verrucas & Foot Health: What Parents Should Know
Flat Feet
Flat feet in babies and toddlers are completely normal.
“Young children’s feet are very soft, with cartilage and a fat pad. They’re supposed to look flat.”
Arches usually develop between ages 4–6. Flat feet are often just a normal variation, not a problem.
Verrucas & Hygiene
Verrucas are common in wet, shared spaces like pools and changing rooms.
While harmless, they can be uncomfortable, painful at times, and tricky to treat if left too long.
Rebecca recommends:
-
Drying feet thoroughly
-
Use a hand sanitizer on feet after being in shared spaces
-
Using protective footwear like Slipfree in shared wet areas
-
Seeing a podiatrist if verrucas persist
Where Soft, Flexible Shoes Like Slipfree® Fit In
Rebecca confirms that soft, flexible footwear can be very helpful when barefoot isn’t suitable:
“They’re great for protecting feet outdoors, on hot sand, slippery surfaces or anywhere there’s risk of injury, while still allowing natural movement.”
This makes Slipfree® particularly useful for:
-
Indoor play
-
Baby groups
-
Poolside & swimming
-
Garden & park adventures
-
Busy, unfamiliar environments
Offering grip and protection without compromising healthy foot development. Explore the full Slipfree baby and toddler range.
One Final Message for Parents
Rebecca’s biggest reassurance?
“Trust your child to develop in their own time. Give them opportunities to explore safely, protect feet when required, and have fun practicing with them. Remember, parenting is hard. You’re doing better than you think.”
About Our Expert
This blog was created in collaboration with Rebecca, Lead Musculoskeletal Podiatrist at Surrey Foot Service (MRCPod, HCPC Registered), who is a mother & specialises in children’s foot health and development.
