When your child is learning to walk, it is important that the parents understand the best way to protect their feet.
For many years it was assumed that a baby’s feet and ankles were weak and would need added support as they learnt to take their first steps before their bones and muscles grew stronger with time. Often stiff shoes would be bought to help encourage these first steps.
It may be true that the muscles and bones are not as strong when they first start to walk, and will strengthen over time, but having rigid shoes will prevent the feet bending correctly and can even cause problem for children later in life. In fact, when learning to walk children are often better being left to their own devices, being allowed as much time as possible bare foot.
Obviously no one would want their little soldier having cold tootsies when it’s time to head outside, so it is important to ensure that any outdoor baby shoes for pre-walkers are as soft and flexible as possible. It is important to let a child move their feet as freely as possible in the first few months and to ensure that as much time is spent out of the baby shoes as possible when at home.
Once a child has started taking their first tentative steps, it is important that the children’s shoes they are given remain flexible and with enough room that the growth of their feet will not be impeded.
Children’s shoes are almost unanimously cute, but it is important to ensure that the cuteness of the shoe is not the thing that clinches the deal. They need to be extremely practical and the upmost quality as well if they are to help avoid starting a child off with podiatry problems.