With the first pair of shoes you will discover a new world full of choices and worries. Finding the right shoe can feel like science, but we have put together some practical information to help you find the right shoe for your child.

Once your child starts wearing shoes you may find yourself buying shoes every six to twelve weeks. It is not only a financial pressure, but the choices can confuse the best of us. While it will probably only be every three or four months, as the growth spurts slow down, it will still be important to think on the type of shoe that is best for your child's feet.

The first shoes

"The best time to buy the first pair of waking shoes is when your child is walking all by himself and wants to walk outside", recommends Audrey of Little Piggy's Shoes, Ireland's largest dedicated children's shoe chain.

The first shoes are designed for stability and child that is only learning how to walk may be hindered by their rigidity. Pre-walkers on the other hand allow the child to feel the floor and find his balance, as well as offer toe protection and warmth.

"The best thing for a child learning how to walk is to be barefoot. Children should, right through childhood, be barefoot at least ten minutes a day. It stimulates the nerve endings and muscle tone in the foot", says Audrey.

Go to a shoe store and get a proper measurement done by someone that is used to doing it. Get both feet measured, as children's feet can vary enough to require a different shoe size. Different types of brands and shoe styles may need different sizes. The fastening can be uncomfortable for a child with a high insole, even though the size is correct. If your child's shoes do not fit properly it may lead to long-term problems, but also cause blisters and sores.

"The fitting should be done from the back forward. The heel and the fastening is the most important aspect of a good fit. The back of the shoe should not collapse and instead give good support", says Audrey.

A young child's nerve endings are not fully developed and much of the bone structure in the feet is made of very soft cartilage. An ill fitted shoes can misalign the bones and because of the under developed nerve endings, your child may not be able to tell you that his feet are sore.

Buying a good shoe

Once the heel and fastening are correctly fitted, giving proper support and keeping the shoe on without being loose, you can leave about a thumb space by the toes for growing space. Shoes with less stability, such as canvas shoes and wellies, should have less growing space as they also give less support. For more support you should also choose a high backed shoe over a shallow one.

Shoes for children should not be overly flexible and to give plenty of support shoes should also be stable around the heel. The soles should also be non-slip, lightweight and durable. Buy shoes with natural or breathable linings, which will allow perspiration to move away from the foot.

The more sizes available in a brand, the easier it will be to find the right fit for your child's foot. You will want a bit of room for the foot to grow, but leaving too much room will make it difficult for your child to walk and also the foot unstable.

Don't automatically buy shoes just according to the size your child's foot has been measured to. Shoe brands can vary a lot in their make and some will have a wider or slimmer fit than others. Even within brands you may find that what fit in one shop may not fit in the next. The best is to buy the shoe fitted in the shop and preferable a shoe store that carries several brands.

When you buy children's shoes

• Be satisfied with the way your child's foot is measured in the shop, preferable with brand specific measuring gauge.

• Try to keep track of your child's growth spurts to time when you buy new shoes.

• Think of the activities your child does. If he likes being outdoors you may have to put a bit of extra money on waterproof shoes and toe guards.

• Don't get blinded by gender specific shoes, boy's shoes are often more suitable for outdoor play than shoes for girls.

• Don't spend too much money on party shoes. While we always want to buy the best, a shoe that will only be worn once can be of a cheaper quality.

• Look for shoes in shoe stores that carry several brands.

For severe weather

One of the most important features of a winter shoe is the thickness of the sole. Thick shoe soles keep your child's feet warm. If you can't find the right shoes, consider putting in an insole in the shoe.

Waterproof shoes, such as shoes with Gore-tex lining, are not only more durable, but will also withstand cold better. In snow a waterproof shoe will also hinder moisture enter the shoe as the snow melts.