| Contrary to popular belief, a baby doesn't actually | | | | the child's feet and to offer some grip on a smooth |
| need support from shoes. The muscles in and around | | | | surface. Children's feet should be left alone as much |
| the foot are well equipped to do the job. We now | | | | as possible. Prescribing shoes to attempt to correct |
| know that the best thing for growing feet is not a | | | | physiological flat feet, knock knees or bow legs is not |
| cute pair of baby running sneakers, or stiff, | | | | useful for the child and expensive for the family. |
| high-topped baby shoes designed to support | | | | There is no evidence that corrective shoes correct |
| flat-footed steps and wobbly ankles or even | | | | anything. You don't think of a shirt as something that |
| flip-flops, but rather no shoes at all. | | | | will alter the development of the arms or trunk, it's |
| In adults non shoe wearers have better flexibility and | | | | worn for comfort and protection, and the same |
| mobility. Their feet are stronger and have fewer | | | | should be thought of when choosing baby shoes. |
| deformities along with less complaints than the shoe | | | | Many babies are born with what looks like foot |
| wearing population. In fact, it is suggested that we | | | | abnormalities. Nearly all have flat feet because the |
| should walk barefoot for at least part of each day. | | | | bottom of the foot is covered by a thick pad of fat. |
| Common foot problems in the United States are | | | | It is through walking that the muscles and ligaments |
| corns, bunions, hammer toes, athlete's foot and | | | | in the foot strengthen and pull upwards into a |
| ingrown toenails, however, none of these pose | | | | functioning arch. In most cases, the arch is fully |
| problems in countries which most people go without | | | | developed by 6 to 8 years of age. As the limbs |
| shoes. | | | | develop, they may assume any number of unusual |
| Children with the healthiest feet are those who | | | | variations, nearly all of which are outgrown. |
| habitually go without shoes. As your baby's feet are | | | | The growing foot has a remarkable capacity to |
| developing, walking barefoot helps toes get a better | | | | adjust itself. Many babies have feet that point |
| grip and develops foot strength. There is increasing | | | | inward, pigeon-style, usually as a result of having |
| evidence to suggest that wearing shoes in early | | | | been cramped into the fetal position for so many |
| childhood may be detrimental to the development of | | | | months. Other children have hip bones or lower leg |
| a normal arch. Additionally, children are more likely to | | | | bones that rotate inward a bit more than they do |
| have good posture if they go without shoes as | | | | outward causing the feet to point inward. Pigeon |
| often as possible. | | | | toes generally correct themselves by six months to |
| While being barefoot is best, sometimes it just is not | | | | three years of age. |
| very practical. Your baby has tender feet that need | | | | Many other children begin walking with their feet |
| protection from rough surfaces and hot or cold | | | | rotated outward, more like a duck's than a pigeon's, |
| temperatures. The more closely baby shoes resemble | | | | but most will assume a more straightforward gait |
| the barefoot state, the better. | | | | within six months of toddling. The great majority of |
| Soft soled baby shoes are the best choice in | | | | youngsters also begin to walk striking the ground toe |
| footwear for your little one. They promote the | | | | first and heel second, or even to remain on tiptoes. |
| healthy development of growing feet, freedom of | | | | Most will master the normal heel-first stride by about |
| movement and allow the foot to flex, while still | | | | 18 months of age. Bowlegs and knock-knees are also |
| offering a protective, comfortable layer. A suede sole | | | | extremely common. For children who never do |
| is skid-resistant, while the leather is flexible, soft and | | | | develop an arch are likely to be fine with soft, |
| breathable. | | | | ordinary shoes. Flat feet are perfectly healthy feet, |
| Baby shoes should be lightweight, flexible and shaped | | | | and are actually subject to fewer stress fractures |
| more or less like the foot itself. Softness and | | | | than high-arched feet. |
| flexibility are ideal with a soft, rounded heel, similar to | | | | Keeping a baby out of shoes in warm, dry conditions |
| the fatty pad of a bare foot, and a toe area that is | | | | is a good idea because walking barefoot develops |
| wide and easy to bend. Above all, the shoe should | | | | good toe gripping and muscular strength.The best |
| not have any arch inserts or stiff sides once thought | | | | baby shoes should have softness and flexibility while |
| necessary to lend the foot support. | | | | resembling a baby's foot as close as possible. Baby |
| Until toddlers have been walking for at least a few | | | | shoes are needed to protect the feet, not help with |
| months, the only purpose of footwear is to protect | | | | walking or foot development. |