A Quick Guide to Children’s Foothealth and the Importance of Properly Fitted Shoes
How Children’s Feet DevelopA baby’s foot contains no fully formed bones at all – the shape of the foot is mapped out in soft and pliable bone similar to cartilage, surrounded by a layer of subcutaneous tissue or ‘puppy fat’. This makes the foot feel soft, but also makes it prone to being bent out of shape without you noticing and without your child feeling any pain.
As the child grows, so does the bone structure in their feet. By the age of three, your child’s foot will have started the development of the full complement of 26 bones but the final structure won’t be established until they’re in their late teens!
Until this time, they need shoes designed specifically for each stage of development and that fit properly in order that their bones develop naturally. Shoes that don’t fit properly can prevent this, causing discomfort and health problems, and can hinder their walking development.
Crawling
Once a baby has learnt to sit up on their own, they’ll quickly learn to pull themselves along. Soon after, their legs will join in and then they’ll be crawling. Alternatively, some babies will learn to shuffle on their bottoms – sitting upright, they’ll bend their knees to pull themselves along. They can move quickly – in the time it takes to make a cup of tea a child can crawl up to 400m!
Even at this stage, there are times when feet may need protection. For these occasions we have a range of shoes specifically designed for a crawling child. They’ll deliver the best protection and grip as your child begins to explore the world around them.
- Very lightweight and flexible to help them as they learn how to move
- Textured sole which comes up over the toe and the heel, to aid grip for propelling themselves
- 10mm growing room – enough to allow them to grow, but reducing the chance of them tripping as they learn to pull themselves up
- Smooth, seamless interior that won’t rub their feet
- Leather uppers and other soft breathing materials to care for feet
- Whole and half sizes and a choice of widths
- Shaped for the natural toe shape
- Easy, fully adjustable fastenings to make them easier to put on and stay on
Cruising
Many children don’t go straight from crawling to walking – the first time they stand they’ll use furniture as a support.
Once they’re steady enough, they’ll slide their hands to the side whilst moving one foot and then the other, always keeping three points of contact to help them stay upright. Once they begin to grow in confidence they’ll let go and totter towards the next support.
We have a range of shoes with specific features to help them at this stage whilst ensuring that their feet are well looked after.
- Protective toe, heel and waist guards
- Textured side pattern to aid grip between crawling and cruising, and helping them feel steady
- Lightweight, very flexible soles to help their feet feel the floor, helping them to improve their balance
- 10mm growing room – enough to allow them to grow, but reducing the chance of tripping as they learn to pull themselves up
- Smooth, seamless interior that won’t rub their feet
- Leather uppers and other soft breathing materials to care for feet
- Shaped for the natural toe shape
- Easy, fully adjustable fastenings to make them easier to put on and stay on
- Whole and half sizes and a choice of widths
Walking
Most children learn to walk aged between 9 and 18 months, depending on the development of the required muscular strength and co-ordination.
There’s no need to be anxious if it takes them a little longer, every child is different and needs to develop naturally – the worst thing to do is rush them.
When they do take their first unaided steps, they’ll walk very differently from a grown up. Their feet will be wide apart and point outwards and there will be no flexing of the knees or ankles. They’ll take short stamping steps which reverberate, making them very unsteady, and they’ll hold their arms out to aid balance. So their shoes need to be properly fitted to provide stability, protect them and encourage them to develop their walking skills.
- Close-cropped soles to prevent tripping
- Lightweight, flexible soles to aid walking development
- Soft leather and other natural upper materials to keep feet cool
- Padded ankle collar for protection and support
- Fully adjustable fastenings
- Full 14mm growing room
- Whole and half sizes and a choice of widths
Did you Know?
- Babies can’t feel if their shoes are too small. That’s why our shoe fitters check the length, width, ankle fit and heel grip.
- Children’s feet grow very quickly. That’s why all our shoes have up to three months growing room.
- Feet are as individual as faces. That’s why we make shoes in whole and half sizes and a range of width fittings.
In Store at our Lichfield branch we have a fantastic ‘First Shoe’ area designated just to babies and toddlers. We have our expert fitters trained to fit your little ones first shoes to give them the best support and comfort possible. We do a range of styles, colours and sizes to suit your preference. We give you a presentation box to keep with a photograph of your child wearing their new shoes and a booklet about looking after your child’s feet. It’s an all round great experience for you and your child to get their first shoes!
