Taking Care of Baby's Feet : Choosing Good Shoes & Trainers

Do not enclose baby’s feet in shoes too early. When in a bouncer or laying on a playmat, let his toes get the air or cover only with socks made of natural fibre to allow the skin to breathe. When going out in the push chair feet must be protected from the cold with pram shoes or bootees.

Should baby walk barefoot to reinforce foot muscles?
On a smooth surface (i.e. the floor at home), baby's feet won't actually work harder bare than they would covered with shoes. However on a beach or other soft uneven surface make him walk barefoot as much as possible. His feet will learn to grip and will contract; a good way to strengthen muscles.

When to change his shoes?
Your child will never tell you his shoes are too small and hurt his feet. Between the age of one and two years you must buy new shoes every four to five months. Stand baby barefoot on a large sheet of paper. Trace the shape of his feet, then cut and compare with his shoes. Small feet become big very quickly - be aware of and budget for this.

How to measure baby’s size?
In the shoe shop stand baby on the foot gauge. Ensure that his feet are flat as they are soft. Standing, the size can easily be 1cm to 1.5cm longer than when sitting.

Don't waste money on half sizes for the very young as they are equal to a third of one centimetre (only 2 months growth). It's better go to the next full size. For the very young, it is advisable to choose a size 1cm larger than the feet to allow room for toes and the foot to spread.

 

Choosing the right Shoes

• Which fastening system?
For the first year choose laces as these offer better support and adapt to baby’s foot shape. When he starts dressing himself (sometimes as early as two years old) Velcro fastenings help him to feel that he can dress himself.

• High or low?
Low shoes are not recommended for the very young but later on they help reinforce the ankle. High shoes offer more support and fix the heel, but worn too early can encourage lazy muscles. From 2 to 3 years baby can wear anything.

• Should the shoes hug the arch of the foot?
Babies' feet are round, fat and flat. The foot arch muscle will start forming at around 18 months / 2 years, so before this time arched shoes are unneccessary.

What to look for in a good shoe
• Leather for top and lining; this is the only material without allergy risks.
• An anti-slip sole that is tough and thick enough, but not too rigid to prohibit foot movement.
• A high top that's soft and supple.
• Heel stiffener - fairly rigid to keep the heel stable.
• Wide rounded front - baby who does not yet know how to walk using his toes properly, so the front should be slightly raised.
• A good strip to protect the top of the foot.

 

Can babies wear trainers?

Yes of course, so long as they are not the only shoes worn. Trainers are not bad for feet if used in moderation. They do make feet sweat so take care to alternate between sport shoes and leather shoes and make sure baby's feet get lots of air.

No trainers when Baby is learning to walk!
First step shoes must have these characteristics :
• High shape to support the ankle
• Back / top padded
• Foot arch, heel stiffener, lining, inside sole in leather to allow foot to breathe - unlike trainers with a synthetic lining which encourages sweat.
• Supple anti slip sole which does not project from the side of the shoe to limit the risk of fall.

His first trainers?
Wait until he is very stable on his feet. For example if he starts walking at 14 months wait until 16 or 17 months. Often with high shape, less rigid than traditional shoes and with a much thicker and wider sole, trainers can make it difficult for baby to balance and limit his sensations.

Trainers every day?
You will do nothing of the sort - shoes must breathe like feet. In trainers feet sweat; allow at least 24 hours for them to dry. To avoid bad smell and slow mis-shaping and sagging of the foot arch leave the trainers to rest one day out of two.

Velcro or laces? • To start, with laces – better adapted to feet shape they allow optimal tightening as well as a large opening • When baby demand to dress himself, Velcro helps autonomy To know: new styles “sleeper style” with a strip at the back to slip on are “cool” but the fit is not obvious – Take care to position the foot properly otherwise the toes position themselves as if in a tight sock

With or without socks?
With - the synthetic lining of the trainers can make feet sweaty and blistered.

Branded or affordable trainers?
The 'mini trainers' from the big sports brands are cute, but apart from that they have nothing to offer over more affordable styles. Make sure that any shoe you choose meets the requirements above.

What to look for in a good trainer
• Leather upper - easier to clean
• Natural fabric lining that will 'breathe'.
• Inside sole.
• Soft rising side with good heel support.
• Anti-slip sole of one centimetre maximum; tough yet supple enough to allow foot movement.
• A good size strip to protect the top of the foot.