How to Find the Best Shoes for Your Child?
It's possible that you enjoyed shoe shopping in your former life. The only problem is that you have entered a weird new world, a place where even the thought of footwear is loaded with anxiety and drama. You might be overwhelmed by the number of shoe options available while shopping for your children.
Seriously, why is it so difficult to determine the shoe size of our children? Although it may be tempting to choose the cutest pair of pink slides, the perfect shoe for your small boy or girl is determined more by fit and function than by trend. Making the time and effort to choose shoes that fit properly now can assist build strong, healthy feet for the rest of their lives.
When should children start wearing shoes?
The following is a word of caution: there is absolutely no need to include shoes in your baby registry. This is due to the fact that your child will not require a pair of sneakers until they are able to walk. Even in that case, going barefoot is preferable at first. Walking around with no shoes on allows a child's feet to grow and develop in the right manner. It also assists children in maintaining their balance since they may hold with their toes.
However, as your toddler begins to get more comfortable on their feet and begins to venture outside, it is time to consider investing in a decent pair of shoes for them.
Why do you need the right pair of shoes?
Whether your child is just learning to walk or is a seasoned totterer, you'll want to make sure that their shoes are both comfortable and flexible while still being strong and stable on their feet. The appropriate fit and function of your child's shoes are critical to the health and development of his or her feet.
A pair of shoes that does not fit properly might cause your child to suffer from foot pain in the short term, as well as develop calluses, corns, ingrown toenails, or blisters.
In the long run, more significant problems such as foot and toe abnormalities might arise. Wearing improperly fitted shoes throughout your child's early years (particularly before the age of five) can result in additional long-term difficulties with posture and walking, as well as other health concerns.
It can also cause back pain later in life if not treated promptly. In reality, many foot issues in adulthood are the result of ill-fitting shoes or negative foot experiences throughout early years.
1. Take a measurement of your child's feet
Try to get your child's feet measured in a shoe store rather than doing it at home. A store employee will have the most up-to-date technology to determine the proper length and breadth for your child's shoes.
As an added suggestion, you could have your child stand and put some weight on each foot to make it appear longer so that you can get an accurate measurement.
2. Avoid purchasing a pair that is overly large
One of the most prevalent difficulties when it comes to choosing shoes for your children is buying shoes that are too big. Children under the age of two, who are just starting to walk and who are prone to falling over, should be especially concerned about this problem.
Parents usually purchase larger shoes with the expectation that their children will grow into them and that they will last longer. However, the fact is that shoes that are a half or a whole size too large make your youngster prone to trips and falls, which might result in an injury.
3. Always check the toes
To minimize foot crowding or increased pressure on the toes, a shoe should have sufficient width and depth at the front of the shoe. Check that your child's shoes allow him or her to comfortably move the front of the foot and wiggle toes freely without any slippage or squashed toes.
Allow between 1 and 2 millimeters between the longest toe and the front of the shoe when buying shoes online. More over 3 cm is considered excessive, while less than 1 cm is considered inadequate.
4. If the shoe does not fit, it should be replaced
It is possible that you may need to examine and change shoes as frequently as every three or four months if your child is in his growing years. Children's feet often expand by half a size during that period, and they require lots of space to allow their feet to develop correctly.
Conclusion
This guide was written in the hopes that it would assist you in finding the right shoe for your child. Take the time to correctly measure and fit shoes, and pick models that provide adequate support, and you will set your children up for success for the rest of their lives.
