Put your child’s best foot forward – Buying baby and kid’s shoes
Buying the right shoes for your child goes a long way to protecting the pitter-patter of their little feet. And browsing the kids' footwear section in any store will bring out the inevitable "oohs and aahs." What's cuter than a pair of baby runners from the Gap? But according to the California Pediatric Medical Association, almost 80% of children of all ages have trouble with their feet because of the shoes they wear. So how do you make the right buying decision at the store? Are the more expensive brands any better? And when your child is still too young to talk, how to do you know if the shoe really fits?
BABY SHOES
Pediatrician Dr. Godfrey Baumgard says, "Until you learn to walk, you don't really need to wear shoes." He sites a 1979 study that found that babies who wore shoes early on were more likely to develop foot problems as children. At this early age, babies only need footwear that will protect their feet and keep them warm and dry. Socks and booties do the job just fine. But if it's too hard to resist those little patent leather shoes, remember the key is to look for shoes that have a soft sole and that aren't too tight or too loose, especially in the toe area.
TODDLER SHOES
Once your baby has learned to walk independently for a few weeks, it's time to hit the pavement in search of a pair of well-fitting shoes. John Lewis, manager of shoe store The Kerrisdale Bootery, says guidelines have changed for buying that first pair of shoes. "The old way of thinking was that the first pair of shoes had to have a very high top, have laces and be very rigid. But we've moved away from that to a first pair of shoes with a slightly lower top, that's sturdy, but not too rigid. The thinking here is that if the child's ankle is overly supported by the shoe, the ankle might not develop properly."
Support, structure and fabric are still important. Here are some tips on what to look for in the shoe store:
- "Well ventilated shoes are very important," says Dr. Baumgard. Leather shoes are generally better as they allow the foot to breathe and they have more give.
- Shoes should have a firm "shank." That's the area from the ball of the foot to the heel. This keeps the foot from rolling inward.
- Look for shoes with rubber soles. However, soles that are too sticky can cause new walkers to trip over their feet. So find a shoe with a bit of slide.
- Shoes should be flat - no heels.
- The toe of the shoe should be wide (square or round) so that the toes have lots of room to spread out. That's why open-toe sandals are a good choice.
And as for size:
- You should have ¼ to ½ of an inch of space between the tip of the shoe to the tip of the toes. Make sure there is also some room in the width.
- The heel should not be able to move up and down in the back of the shoe.
As all parents know, children's feet grow very quickly. You should be buying a new pair about every three to five months. In an effort to save money, some parents may be tempted to purchase shoes a size too big and wait for the child to grow into them. Experts say that's a no-no.
"We never allow for more than an extra half an inch. That's less than a full size between the end of the toe and the shoe. Anything more than that and the child's foot will slip out and they could trip. It's okay to get a little extra room when the child is small, but when they get older, the shoes should fit exactly," says Lewis. Although you'll have to upgrade those shoes regularly, there's no need to spend a bundle. Dr. Baumgard stresses that inexpensive shoes are fine as along as they're comfortable and well ventilated.
CHILDREN'S SHOES
The good news is that your child can now help you get your money's worth; they'll be able to tell you if you the shoes are comfortable or not. The bad news is kids' shoes can be almost as expensive as adult shoes - the same workmanship goes into both. And kids, like adults, often choose fashion over comfort. But to ensure you get the best fit possible, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Buy shoes late in the day. Feet are 5 to 8% bigger then than in the morning.
- Make sure the salesperson measures both feet. Most people have one foot that's bigger than the other. Buy shoes to fit the larger foot.
- The toes shouldn't touch the end of the shoe and the heel should be firm. The width should be ample across the front and top.
- The sole of the shoe should bend in the ball, not the arch. A sturdy arch provides support.
- A rubber sole supplies the best cushioning.
- Shoes should feel comfortable right away. Don't expect your child to break them in.
- Velcro isn't as stable as laces. So if you do buy Velcro, make sure the fastener is wide, sturdy and good quality.
- Hand-me downs or second hand shoes are not optimum as shoes mould to the feet that wear them.
A key thing to remember for all ages is that the shoe shape should mirrors the natural shape of the foot. Finally, since we all spend so much time in shoes, it's not a bad idea to encourage your kids to run barefoot as well. Not only will it help muscles develop properly, there's also nothing like tiptoeing through the cool grass or feeling the warm sand between your toes on a sunny summer day.
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