With doctors recommending you skip the hand-me-downs, you're probably wondering how long a pair of shoes will last you. The short answer: not very long. Babies under 16 months grow more than one-half a foot size in 2 months. Toddlers ranging from 16-24 months grow an average of one-half a foot size every 3 months. From years 2-3, feet grow half a size every 3 to 4 months. And for big kids ages 3-5, you can expect to go up half a size every 4 months. Once kids hit school age, they need about a pair of new shoes a year. Unlike buying larger clothes that baby can eventually grow into, shoes don't work the same way. Buying footwear that is too big could lead to baby's foot slipping out and increase the risk of falls. Not to mention painful blisters - ouch! Before you splurge on the cutest shoes of the season, just remember your kiddo will likely outgrow them and you'll be buying new shoes sooner than you think.