| There is nothing more natural to a parent than kissing a | | | | misinformed relatives often perpetrate this myth. |
| newborn's soft pink feet and counting its tiny toes. But | | | | Studies have shown that when a child is strong |
| once the baby starts to take its first steps, it is not so | | | | enough to stand up and walk, he will have ankles |
| easy to know if its feet are developing normally. | | | | strong enough to support his body. |
| The good news is that doctors no longer take such | | | | 3. Sneakers, if worn for more than a couple of hours a |
| drastic corrective measures when dealing with most | | | | day, are bad for children: This is a widely held belief |
| foot disorders. In fact, many such conditions aren't | | | | among consumers as well as professionals. There is |
| considered problems at all. "A baby's foot undergoes | | | | absolutely no evidence that normal feet develop into |
| many changes that aren't serious, don't require any | | | | flatfeet if tennis shoes rather then hi-top or leather |
| treatment, and are often normal parts of | | | | shoes are used. |
| development," says Micheal Goldbearg, M.D., F.A.A.P., | | | | 4. Shoe salesmen are competent to diagnose foot |
| Professor and Chairman of orthopedics at the Tufts | | | | problems and advise remedial shoe war for children: |
| University School of Medicine in Boston. | | | | This is totally erroneous. Most shoe salesmen are well |
| Although the adult shoe has changed from being a | | | | intentioned and desire to sell you the most comfortable |
| protective covering to becoming a status symbol, the | | | | shoes they can find. But they are not trained to give |
| child's shoe has remained in its basic sole-protecting | | | | advice regarding foot problems. Responsible salesmen |
| the foot from the hazards of the outside world. | | | | should suggest to parents that their child should visit a |
| Regardless of age, a shoe's main purpose is to | | | | doctor, in case its feet do not appear right. |
| provide a protective covering during cold weather and | | | | 5. The Price of Shoes: The price of shoes is often |
| prevent injury caused by stepping on sharp objects | | | | related to the kind of material used. Leather is the |
| outdoors. But when kids are just learning to walk, they | | | | most expensive, especially if it used for both uppers |
| need plenty of shoeless time. Inside the house, socks | | | | and soles. Since leather allows the feet to "breathe" in |
| with rubberized soles will provide protection without the | | | | the shoes it helps avoid sweat accumulation and skin |
| risk of falling. But kids at some point have to leave the | | | | irritation. But while leather uppers are desirable, leather |
| safety of their house and be able to move outside, | | | | soles are not necessary and can be replaced by |
| without endangering their feet. Thus, when parents are | | | | rubber or crepe soles. |
| buying a child's shoes it is important to remember to | | | | 6. The Soles of the Shoes: The soles of the shoes |
| have their babies' and children's feet measured by an | | | | whether leather or rubber, should be thick enough to |
| experienced salesperson as nobody wants the shoe | | | | protect, yet flexible enough for walking. It is also |
| to slip while the kid is walking or to rub against the | | | | important to look at the bottom of the soles to |
| ankle or toes. "Make sure both feet are measure while | | | | determine depth of the grooves. The deeper the |
| the child is standing!" adds Dr. Micheal Goldbearg. | | | | grooves the better the traction. |
| A recent survey of professionals who give advice on | | | | 7. Fitting Children's Shoes: Parents must remember |
| children's feet, including pediatricians, orthopedic | | | | looking for a pair of shoes to fit their child's feet, not |
| surgeons, pediatric orthopedics, and podiatrists, | | | | vice versa. To get a good fit, both the shape and the |
| revealed wide divergence of opinion regarding shoes | | | | size of the shoes should comfort to its feet. Foot size |
| and footwear in both normal and problematic feet. | | | | increases whether standing, sleeping, or running. Once |
| Then, what is a parent left to do? The only rational | | | | the shoes are on, parents should check for adequate |
| approach to the subject is to examine some traditional | | | | length and width, depending on their child's unique case. |
| ideas in the light of recent studies and experience, so | | | | 8. The Appropriate Shoe: Certain types of shoes are |
| as to determine if the professional views should be | | | | appropriate depending on the child's age. Babies and |
| upheld or discarded. | | | | crawlers do not need shoes. They only need booties, |
| 1. Shoes are necessary to promote foot development: | | | | warm socks, or pre-walking shoes that do not bind |
| In other words normal children's feet need support, | | | | feet. Shoes for toddles, on the other hand, age |
| otherwise they will become flat. Recent studies seem | | | | 9months to 3 years, should allow the foot to breathe |
| to contradict this. Feet deformities like bunions and | | | | due to perspiration. Style and shoe-fit is important for |
| hammer-toes are very rare among children who wear | | | | school-age children. For any child age, parents should |
| no shoes, in contrast to those who do, where such | | | | be aware that problems such as flatfeet or high arch |
| deformities are commonly detected. | | | | could be developed, and they should always pay |
| 2. High-top shoes are necessary to support the ankle | | | | attention to the anatomic nature of the shoes |
| as the child takes its first steps: Well-meaning but | | | | purchased. |