Details: Since the birth of Robeez soft soles in 1994, the distinctly styled functional footwear has been the “must have” for new moms and a popular baby shower gift for gift givers. As a premium infant brand, Robeez was created by a mom for moms who want only the best for their children by providing the perfect learning-to-walk experience. Currently, as part of the Stride Rite Children’s Group, Robeez by Stride Rite represents the pre-walker offering in Stride Rite’s developmental S.T.E.P. program, transitioning children from cruising, to first steps, to mature walking.

With Robeez by Stride Rite, babies are able to step into the beginning stages of walking, allowing their little feet to grip the ground to improve and build their balance, all while being comfortable and looking stylish.

Stride Rite Children’s Group is challenging you to add to their pioneering line of footwear. They are looking for footwear innovations specifically catered for babies (from newborn to one year) that fuses function with fashion and appeals to busy, on-the-go moms.

Things to consider:

“Easy on, Stays on”: Babies are known for their impressive ability to get tightly secured shoes off their feet and across the room. Your footwear should be easy for busy moms to quickly put on and hard for the baby to fling off.

Protection: Baby’s feet are fragile and need protection. Make sure your footwear protects a baby’s feet from weather and the ground as he or she is learning how to walk.

Safety: When it comes to babies, safety is always a necessity. It is essential that your footwear is made of baby-friendly material and does not have small parts that a baby could choke on.

Fashionable: Moms today are just as concerned about their babies’ fashion as they are about their own. Your footwear needs to be fashion-conscious, stylish and something moms will be proud to put on their babies’ feet and a cool friend, aunt or grandmother will want to buy.

Washable: Did you know a baby’s foot sweats two times as much as an adult’s foot? This being said, it is important that your footwear is easily washable and durable.

You don’t need to be an expert in podiatry, but keep in mind the characteristics of a baby’s little foot.

• Bones are not fully formed in a child’s foot until age 5. While the foot is still developing, the cartilage can be easily influenced by ill fitting footwear.

• Babies’ feet do not have arches. Arches do not start to develop until 2 years old.

• The 52 bones in the human feet make up one quarter of all the bones in the human body.

• Babies’ feet perspire two times more than adults; so always look for breathable materials such as leather and mesh or anti-microbial linings.

• The heel is the one bone in the foot that helps to balance baby’s entire body. Wow!

• Similar to your body, your feet are still growing into your late teen years. So the tenth pair of shoes is just as important as the very first.

We ask for well-communicated ideas. This includes filling out our easy-to-use submission form to the best of your ability. Upload images, sketches and any other media that support your idea. Tell us your story. We even encourage you to create a video demonstrating your innovation. Don’t worry. We aren’t expecting you to break out your inner Spielberg. Please keep videos to less than 2 minutes.

As always, your submission should be unique and protectable (patent protection is highly-preferred, but not a conclusive requirement).

Each idea costs just $25 ($20 for Edison Insiders) to submit and, as long as you maintain Edison Insider membership, your idea may be submitted to as many searches as you would like at no additional cost. Click here for more details on Live Product Searches.