As children begin to develop motor skills, parents entering the world of baby walking shoes often find themselves in a quandary. There are so many choices, in so many price ranges that it's hard to figure out just what's best for your child. If you are trying to make sense of all the options out there and find that perfect pair of shoes for your baby or toddler, read on. The answers may surprise you.

The first thing the experts agree on is that walking barefoot is the best thing for a young child's development. Of course, that's not practical most of the time, so we need to do the next best thing-- look for baby walking shoes which mimic walking barefoot.

This is more important than you may think. Very few people are actually born with foot problems. Issues arise later in life and are often due to improper care during those crucial first years. This is when any unnatural, repetitive pressure on babies' soft, pliable feet can easily cause deformation.

Good baby walking shoes should be lightweight, as heavy shoes make moving about more difficult. Look for soft, flexible shoes made from breathable materials, preferably choosing eco-friendly, natural materials that'll promote healthy environment for your baby's feet. (Remember that there are over 250,000 sweat glands in your feet, excreting up to a pint of moisture each day!)

Also be sure to check the materials used on the soles. Babies and toddlers do best in shoes with soles that are both flexible and shock absorbent. From a safety and ease of walking perspective, another thing to consider is how well the soles work to minimize slipping.

Many parents are surprised to find out that shoes without any arch support are actually better. Again, the idea is to provide opportunities for natural movement for the child's foot.

The next thing to consider is proper fit. It's always a good idea to have your child's feet measured before making any purchases. A properly fitted pair of baby walking shoes will allow enough room for your child to spread and wiggle his toes, as well as accommodate socks or footed sleep suits if need be.

Bottom line: there is more to finding the right baby walking shoes than finding a pair that'll go with that cute outfit. It is best to choose lightweight shoes that allow room for movement and flexibility and are made out of breathable, eco-friendly materials. The more you can mimic the feel of walking barefoot as your young child develops the ability to walk, the better!Tess Enver