Foot formation occurs in early childhood. In order to avoid problems with the musculoskeletal system in the future, it is better to make sure that this process is as correct as possible and that nothing interferes with the proper development of the limbs. To do this, it is important to know how to choose the right first shoes for kids.
Foot formation in a child from birth
Let’s define the stages of foot development in the first few years of a person’s life.
Until 8-9 months, the baby does not walk, which means that the body does not rest on the feet and they do not have a formed arch. Therefore, the question of how to choose the right shoes for a child under one year old is not an urgent one. When the baby starts walking, the process of forming the arch of the foot will begin. The arch affects the even distribution of weight and generally works like a spring that softens the body’s shocks. During this period, the child’s big toe retains significant flexibility and mobility in the joint. Gradually, this feature comes to naught.
Around this age, the child begins to take the first steps, first with support, then independently. The feet begin to feel the weight of the body and adapt: muscles and ligaments are strengthened. As a result of these processes, the formation of the arch begins.
But by the age of 3 years (on average), it is absent in children in the usual form: the arch itself is initially laid in the body, the bones and cartilage of the foot already have a certain position, but the arch is filled with a dense fat cushion, which performs shock-absorbing functions. The feet normally remain flat by this age. During this period, it is important to prevent deformation, for which shoes with a rigid and high back and fasteners are purchased.
In the period from 3 to 8 years, an active process of formation of the arch of the foot takes place. If, after the child reaches the age of 7, you see that the arch is not formed correctly, you may need to wear arch supports (as prescribed by a doctor).
You can conduct a simple test: ask your child to stand on his or her toes. With normal development of the foot, the arch should appear in this position. But if, regardless of the position of the foot, the arch remains flat, and there is discomfort in the legs, painful sensations – this is a reason to visit an orthopedist. He or she will examine the child and give recommendations on the selection of shoes, insoles, and special constructions. In some cases, surgical intervention is required.
Of course, the question of choosing the right shoes for a child comes up only when the baby stands on his or her feet and tries to learn to walk. Until then, shoes can be anything, because they are only needed for warmth and beauty.
With the first steps, there is a load on the musculoskeletal system of almost the entire body, the correct position of the foot during this period is extremely important, which means that you should know how to choose the right shoes for a child at one year old (as already mentioned, it is at this time that babies usually take their first steps).
7 recommendations on how to choose the right shoes for your child’s first step
So, how to choose the right shoes for a one-year-old child.
1. Flexible corrugated sole
The sole should be flexible and preferably corrugated, especially in the front of the shoe. It allows you to form the necessary walking mechanism. A rigid sole, on the other hand, reduces cushioning and leads to a rolling gait.
2. Low weight
It is extremely important that the shoes do not weigh down the baby’s foot, which is already difficult to take the first steps. Shoes should be lightweight, made of natural materials. It is desirable that the insole is removable so that you can dry it: children’s feet sweat a lot. Just do not dry the shoes, for example, on a battery. It can deform, which, as we know, will negatively affect the formation of the foot. Just stuff the shoe with paper.
3. Ergonomic shape: free front part, fullness adjustment
Children’s feet are different from adults: they are narrow in the heel and wide and full in the forefoot. Some children have a high arch. Therefore, you need to choose shoes based on the specifics of the structure of the foot of a particular child. The shoe should be wide enough and not squeeze the child’s foot. It is important that it has laces, Velcro – something that will allow you to adjust the width of the shoe.
4. Hard heel
Under 3 years of age, it is not recommended to wear shoes without a back or with a soft back that does not fix the foot: flip flops, sandals with straps on the back. The fact is that this type of heel on the shoe can affect the incorrect formation of the foot, lead to flat-valgus deformity and flat feet. Shoes with a rigid heel contribute to the correct position of the ankle joint.
5. Internal sole shock absorber
It is important that the sole of children’s shoes can serve as a shock absorber when walking and jumping. “Antishock” is a sole that has a special space filled with air, which contributes to cushioning and protects the feet.
6. Modern membrane materials
Children’s shoes should breathe, remove moisture from the inside and not let it in. This is especially important for demi-season and winter boots. Shoes made with membrane material do a good job of this. It lies between the upper part of the boot and its lining (pay attention to the technology called GORE-TEX or Aqua-tex). In such boots, the baby’s feet will be dry and warm even in wet or cold weather.
7. Safety.
The child’s body is very sensitive to various harmful influences, so we must take care to minimize them. In terms of shoes, it is better to choose those made of leather and textiles. Children’s shoes should not have nickel and chrome in the fittings and trim, as they can cause skin irritation, especially if the child is allergic.
How to choose the right shoe size for a child
If you just put the shoe to your child’s foot or even try it on, you can get into trouble. How can you choose the right shoes for a child of 2 years old if he or she can’t tell you that the pair is too small or too big? He will not feel it, because the sensitivity of the feet in children is much lower than in adults. And in the future, wearing the wrong shoes can negatively affect the formation of the feet.
Shoes that are too big should not be worn, because an actively growing foot needs support and fixation, which cannot be provided by shoes that are too big. Your feet will get tired quickly in them.
To understand what size shoes to choose, you need to measure your feet. Put the baby’s foot on a piece of paper so that it rests on it, circle the foot with a pencil, holding it vertically. Then draw parallel lines around the edges and measure the distance from the line at the big toe to the line at the heel. It will be convenient to cut out this trace and take it with you to the store.
If you are trying on shoes for a child, keep in mind that there should be a free space of about 1 centimeter inside:
– If you move your foot as far forward as possible, towards the toe of the shoe, you should be able to put your finger between the heel and the back;
– or, on the contrary, move your foot to the back of the shoe, then you can press on the shoe in front of your thumb – there should be free space there.
It is important to measure both shoes, as the baby’s legs can grow unevenly.
In addition, you often can’t do without trying on a pair of shoes, even if you know the basic parameters of the foot. The fact is that everyone’s feet are different, and sometimes the shoes just don’t fit on a high instep (or just a full one). For such children, it is better to choose shoes that can be adjusted with laces, Velcro, etc.
Table of children’s shoe sizes
To determine the fullness of the leg, you need to measure the circumference of its front part. Fullness is denoted by Latin letters and has 9 gradations: 5 basic (E, F, G, H, J) and 4 “halves” (E ½, F ½, G ½, H ½). Each subsequent size differs from the previous one by 3.5 mm. And here are a few hints:
E and E ½ are full shoes that run small by 1-2 sizes. It is intended for children with thin legs and low rise (but you need to buy shoes 1 size larger).
F is fullness for thin legs.
F ½ – fullness for thin and normal legs with a low rise, usually more suitable for girls.
G – fullness for normal legs, not thin, but for high rise it is better to buy shoes one size up.
G ½ – fullness for a normal foot, but with a high rise, usually for boys.
Fullness H – for full feet with a high rise, such models are made with laces.
Fullness J – for very full feet with a high rise.
For kids under 3 years old, it is best to take fullness G, G ½, H due to the large fat layer in the foot area. But when the leg becomes less full, girls are more suitable for shoes with a fullness of F, F ½, G, and boys again G, G ½, H. Of course, these are averages.
What should be the margin for the baby to be comfortable
In order to choose the right size, you do not need to be guided by the season for which you are buying shoes. In any case, the shoes or sandals should not be close, add a few millimeters to the actual length of the foot to get the right shoe size. This margin will not only allow you to wear the chosen pair longer, but will also make the baby’s walking comfortable and the foot position correct.
Of course, the margin we are talking about should be different for winter and summer shoes. Buy sandals with a margin of 6 mm to 1 cm, sneakers with a margin of 1 cm, and winter boots should have a margin of 1 to 1.5 cm.
It would seem that this is quite a long distance. Will the baby be comfortable? The thing is that when walking, running, jumping, the foot needs space to bend (otherwise, it will be pushed). If there is no room for such a maneuver in the shoe, the foot will be deformed. In addition, when moving, the foot lengthens by as much as 7 mm, and if there is no margin, the shoe will squeeze this movement, the child will begin to pinch his fingers. In winter shoes, a margin is also needed to put on a warm sock. More space inside the boot will create an air cushion that prevents freezing.
A small margin or its complete absence will lead to the fact that when walking, the foot will rest against the toe, the child will constantly press his fingers, and in the case of open summer shoes, the fingers will go forward. In addition, an important sign that the shoes are not chosen correctly is the incorrect position of the arch support, which should be located under the arch of the foot.
If the shoes are too big, the arch support will not be in the right place, which will negate all efforts to prevent flat feet. Too much stock in the shoe will cause discomfort to your child and lead to improper gait and permanent damage to the toe.
If everything is more or less clear with summer shoes (you can visually determine the position of the foot in sandals), then with demi-season and winter shoes the situation is much more complicated. The child will not be able to objectively assess whether the shoes are suitable for him or her, and he or she is not yet able to say so, if we are talking about one-year-olds. So how do you choose the right shoes or boots? There are several ways.
The most effective way is to pull out the insole, put it on the floor and place the child’s foot on top so that the heel is in place, does not move forward and does not hang. This will show whether the necessary margin remains from the big toe to the edge of the insole.
It often happens that the insole does not come out (which is not very good in principle). In this case, it is better to have a model of the child’s foot drawn on paper (cardboard). This model is put into the shoe until it stops, and the result should be evaluated by the heel.
Or use the method we have already mentioned: insert the baby’s foot into the shoe up to the toe and try to insert a finger between the heel and the back – it should enter freely.