First shoes

Children’s feet are so much more delicate than an adult’s. The 26 bones within the foot are not yet fully formed and therefore, more susceptible to damage as they form and take on their proper shape.

Babies and young children should be encouraged to kick and exercise with their feet, which will allow the foot muscles to develop properly and strengthen.

When children have started walking, is the best time for you to buy them their first pair of shoes and you should always seek advice from a trained children’s shoe assistant who will accurately measure the foot’s length and width.

Choose a fabric that allows for movement, shape and for the foot to breathe. Ideally, this means choosing shoes with leather uppers and avoiding shoes that can restrict the feet, which can cause problems with the foot’s development growth.

Until children reach school age, their feet grow up to two sizes a year, which means that regular visits to the shoe shop to ensure they have the best fit is very important. Keeping a watchful eye on their shoes for unusual wear patterns, checking feet for problem areas and cutting toenails correctly will all help maintain good healthy feet that your child will thank you for in years to come.