One of the most overlooked parts of the human body would be the foot. As it seems to be just a small body part, a lot of people tend to forget its significance.
Containing a good number of joints, bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments, it plays a big role in the way we move and how we support our body. This is why parents need to make sure that their children get the right foot care as early as possible.
Foot issues can come about as early as during birth. Most babies are flat-footed. As they grow older, their feet develop arches, allowing them to walk properly.
But some children never really develop those arches or develop small arches, causing their children to fall or trip a lot.
Because of this, parents need to be more alert to identify possible issues that might cause their children long term problems.
Here are some basic tips on how parents can pick the right shoe for their child’s needs:
- According to Dr. Carol Frey from the University of California, Los Angeles, it is best to buy children’s shoes when their feet are at their biggest size. This would mean that it is good to buy shoes at the end of the day or after the child has had a lot of physical activity.
- It is best to measure the foot of your child when they are standing up. That way their feet will get their full body weight. From there, both feet need to be measured as they will vary in size. Make sure to buy shoes that will fit the larger foot.
- When buying shoes for your child, make sure that your child is wearing the socks he or she will be using with that particular pair of shoes. For example, you are buying him formal shoes. Make sure that you bring along dress socks during the fitting. That way you will be able to see if the child is comfortable with what he is wearing.
- Most parents often press down on the biggest toe to check for fit. Do not do this! This action will activate your child’s reflexes and cause him or her to curl the big toe, giving an impression that there is ample space. Just make sure that there would be half an inch from the end of the largest toe to the shoe’s end. That way your child can wiggle all his toes comfortably.
- Do not pick out a shoe for your child right away without letting him or her test it out. Give your child time to walk around the shoe store to see how it feels. For younger children, they will not be able to tell you as to whether their shoes fit well. So just check his or her feet for any red spots or irritated skin. Check the inner lining of the shoe to see if there are any parts that might chafe the skin.
As parents, it is very tempting to pick out the nicest looking pair of shoes to go with that cute little outfit you bought. But remember, getting the wrong footwear can actually cause health problems for your child in the future. Just because the shoe fits does not mean that the fit is right.
Watch: How to end toddler tantrums? Buy squeaky shoes!
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