Choosing the right shoes for your little one’s first time walking and putting pressure on those tiny bones of theirs is very important! The bones in their feet are still forming, so a poorly fitted shoe can cause abnormal and repetitive pressures that could deform their feet. Read on to see tips for choosing shoes for your young child:
1. Baby Shoes
Oops, babies don’t actually need to wear shoes. It can be tempting to put those cute shoes that you received at a baby shower for them but until they are walking, shoes can cause harm instead of just being a cute, new accessory. Shoes can restrict the proper growth pattern of their sweet little feet. Until they turn one, just stick with socks.
2. Barefoot is Best
Even after they start walking, going barefoot in the proper conditions can be very beneficial. This promotes muscle growth, lets little toes grasp and helps their feet develop strength and coordination. It’s not always practical when the surface doesn’t call for bare feet but if their feet aren’t in danger of getting hurt, just leave the shoes off.
3. Flexibility
For exploring toddles and newly walking babies, the shoes need to be flexible, lightweight and soft. Avoid any kind of shoe that is too hard and won’t move with the natural bend in our feet. They shouldn’t restrict toe and foot mobility or bind feet in any way. When it comes to shoes for the little ones, less is more.
4. Let Them Breathe
Little ones can have sweaty feet just like grown-ups, and sweaty feet can lead to friction that causes painful blisters. To avoid this problem, we recommend choosing shoes made of natural fibers such as leather or cotton. Avoid synthetic shoes such as those made to mimic the look of leather, which can trap heat and make little feet uncomfortable.
5. Look at the Sole
Shoes with flat surfaces are best for new walkers all the way up to preschoolers, because unlike adults, young children need shoes that mimic going barefoot. Look for shoes with a smooth, flat sole and avoid rubber soles, which are unfortunately very common in kid shoes today.
6. Avoid Heels
Maybe this goes without saying but kids should never wear shoes with heels. Wearing heels throws their balance off, will make them trip, slip and fall, and can injure their little feet and ankles. They’ll grow up fast enough, so don’t rush it.
Your best option when choosing shoes for toddlers and preschoolers is to shop at a specialty kids shoe store where the staff is trained on how to fit shoes for kids. The selections will also be more appropriate for your little one’s feet.
We hope this information helps! Please reach out with any questions you may have.
At Howard County Foot and Ankle, we treat everything from warts and ingrown toenails to flatfeet and heel pain. Many people come to us for diabetic foot care or simply because they have foot pain or ankle pain and don’t know the cause of it. We handle emergencies such as fractures and infections as well. Dr. Bui performs a wide variety of surgeries and specializes in reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle. You won’t find a better foot doctor than our highly skilled and highly qualified, Dr. Christina Bui! Call or email us to ask any questions you might have. We would love to be your go-to Podiatrist!
