Baby shoes are one of the most important purchases you can make for your little one and choosing them is something you should consider carefully. Shoes have an effect on your child's posture as well as the safety of their feet so you want to make sure that you pick one's that will do a good job.

When buying a baby's first pair shoes, there are several things you should consider. Of course many young parents like to dress their children in the most fashionable shoes and this is all well and good but you need to be careful that you buy a good quality shoe as well.

When you're out shopping for shoes you might also take budget into consideration. Don't forget, that children's feet grow quickly and that expensive designer shoe you just purchased will soon be tucked away in an attic because it will no longer fit.

Here are five things to think about when buying baby shoes:

1. Make sure the shoes are flat. If your child is learning to walk, they'll need flat shoes in order to be able to balance properly.

2. Flexible soles are best. Flexible soles are better when your baby's first learning to deal with shoes because they'll help them be able to maneuver their feet for standing up and walking.

3. Soft soles are most comfortable. You want the shoes to be comfortable, otherwise your babies can hate wearing them. Make sure you get a soft sold shoe that has cushioning on the inside.

4. Lighter is better. You don't want to put a heavy shoe on your baby because this will probably to throw them off balance especially if he's used to not having much on his feet. When you go shopping for shoes, weigh them in your hand and try to choose a lightweight pair.

5. Think practical. You want to choose to the durable as well as practical. Babies feet grow fast so buying expensive shoes is really just a waste of money. You want something that's going to do the job of helping your baby walk without breaking your budget.

For many parents, their babies "firsts" are huge milestones and choosing baby shoes is no exception. In fact, in past generations the shoes were so revered that many people had them bronzed and set on the mantle for all time! While you may not be doing this with your child's shoes, you'll still want to choose them carefully for best development and safety.