When is the time to get your baby the first pair of footwear? How to choose children’s shoes? What features are worth considering? These are some of the most common questions parents ask themselves when it comes to the selection of footwear for their kids. Let us figure out the responses to them.
A visit to a children’s shoe store can be a real challenge for parents. Unlike adults, children do not really like numerous fittings. But at least once a season, it is still necessary to acquire at least a couple of pairs for a child. Luckily, nowadays, there is a possibility to acquire footwear for children at an online store like TheTrendyToddlers that will deliver the chosen pair promptly.
The child’s feet grow quickly and in the process of growth, its formation takes place. The health of the entire musculoskeletal system in adulthood depends on the condition of the feet. The right footwear in childhood prevents serious problems in the future. That is why it is so important to make the choice of children’s shoes seriously.
Formation of the Child’s Feet
It is customary to distinguish several stages in the first years of a child’s life.
- Up to 12 months: As a rule, children under one year old cannot walk. At the age of 8-10 months, they learn to stand with support. There is no great load on the feet, the arch is not formed, the big toe is more mobile than the one adults have.
- 1-3 years: Kids learn to walk, the feet receive a load in the form of body weight. Muscles and ligaments are strengthened, the formation of a vault begins. The feet remain flat and this is the norm.
- 3-8 years old: A period of active growth and formation of the feet. There is a strengthening of the muscles, the arch begins its formation. At this stage, it is recommended to visit an orthopedic surgeon to make sure that development is proceeding correctly. If necessary, the doctor will tell you how to correct the feet of your kid.
When Should Parents Acquire the First Pair of Shoes?
At what age does a child need shoes? The question of choosing the first pair arises with the first steps of the baby. This usually occurs between 10-12 months of age. For younger children, soft slippers or socks are enough. They perform rather a decorative function and, of course, protect from the cold.
In other words, your child will need shoes when he or she can already stand and walk. At an earlier age, the presence of footwear is just accessories parents are fond of putting on their little ones. In regard to the choice of footwear for a walking baby, it is crucial to determine the size correctly so that your little curious investigator experiences no discomfort in the process of running, climbing, and jumping. Here are some useful tips.
How to Measure Foot Length Correctly
To determine the correct size, you will need a piece of paper, a pencil, and a measuring tape. Invite your child to stand on the sheet and circle both feet. Measure from the tip of the thumb to the heel. Sometimes the length of the left and right feet may differ slightly – this is normal. Consider a larger value.
Write down the measurement result in inches. As a rule, shoe manufacturers have their own size chart. Before buying, study this information, it will help you choose the right pair. For growing feet, it is better to take a size with a small margin. This is especially true for warm shoes designed for the winter.
How to Understand if Shoes Are Small or Big
To understand that the size of the sandals is correct, see if the instep supports the arch of the foot. If the instep support is not under the arch, and the leg moves too freely, the shoes are large, the margin exceeds 1-1.5 cm.
If the position of the instep support is incorrect, while the child’s fingers are tucked in, the shoes are small. If your baby complains of pain or you find calluses on the legs, then, of course, the size is chosen incorrectly.
It will be more difficult with a closed pair, but there is a way. Take the insole out of the shoe and invite your baby to stand on it. Place the heel in the correct position and look at the instep support again. Also pay attention to where the toes are, whether they protrude beyond the insole. If the insole cannot be removed, trace the child’s foot on the paper. Place the resulting footprint in the boot and assess its position.
In addition, you can use a well-known method. When the baby is standing, try to feel where the baby’s toes are in relation to the toe of the shoe. Remember that wearing too big and too small a pair of shoes is bad for a child’s foot! In tight shoes, blood circulation is impaired, and, in too large ones, the feet are not fixed properly.
Online or Offline Store?
It is indeed too complicated to go shopping with a baby of one and even five years old. Toddlers are active and they dislike numerous attempts to try clothes and footwear. If your baby is one of such active kids, it is better to give preference to web stores.
In such a case, you should pay particular attention to the process of measuring the feet of your kid and the selection of the size according to the chart provided by a seller. Besides, it is worth paying attention if a store offers the possibility to exchange and return the items you dislike or those of the wrong size. After making several orders at one online store, you will understand the tolerances of this particular brand and will be able to correctly determine the size of shoes of your child.
Final Words
The choice of footwear for kids is crucial since this influences the health of your child. Besides, an uncomfortable pair of shoes is not only uncomfortable but also dangerous for your little one. Therefore, do not ignore the recommendations of specialists and choose the shoes correctly and at the right time.