The Structure Of Your Baby's Feet

The shape of your baby's foot is very different to that of an adult foot. It's wider across the toes and narrower at the heel. The arch area (on the inner edge of the sole) is filled with fatty tissue making the foot look flat, but disappears as the arch develops with exercise.

Exercise is essential to strengthen feet and legs. Even tiny babies should be able to kick and wear footwear that has room big enough to allow toes plenty of room to wriggle.

When your baby is first born,, there are large gaps between the bones filled with soft gristle. As your baby grows older, the bones strengthen and lengthen. The bones can be likened to the consistency of jelly, and the jelly doesn't begin to set until the child is at least 13 years of age, when the 26 bones and 36 joints that make up an adult foot is finally formed.

Right from birth your baby's feet can be pulled out of shape by tight fitting babygros, socks, and pram shoes which can prevent the curly toes from straightening. Always check the feet of babygros regularly. If your baby's toes press against the feet, cut off the suits feet and hem the edges.

Foot Care

Footcare is important right from your baby's birth.

Until your child starts walking, regular foot washing two or three times a week is recommended. It is important to thoroughly dry the foot and particularly, between the toes to prevent the skin from becoming soggy. Regular foot washing also gives you a chance to check your child's feet for any problems such as blisters, sore patches, or marks from rubbing from too tight shoes and socks.

Nails act as a protective shield to each toe, and they should be cut regularly. It is easier to cut the nails after a warm bath when the nails are softer. Avoid cutting them too short as this could lead to in-grown toenails later on. Cut each nail across at its free edge to follow the shape of the toe, but not shorter. Never cut the sides back or 'poke' down into the corners. Sharp or roughened edges should be gently smoothed with an emery board.

Check with your GP if the toes ever look swollen or inflamed.

What Features To Look For When Buying Footwear For Your Baby

Parents often want to put shoes on their baby for the wrong reasons - because the baby looks cute in them. Bare foot is best, but until a baby starts to walk, the only purpose of shoes is to provide warmth, or protection. And for that, you are better off using socks or a soft soled bootie with plenty of room, rather than shoes which can restrict movement that is essential to the growth and development in a baby's feet. Using socks or a soft soled bootie with plenty of room will encourage toe gripping, and will allow a child's feet to build up a pattern of feeling that helps to develop a good posture.

You should look for several key qualities when buying shoes for babies who are ready to walk outside. Remember the main function of your child's shoes is to protect his feet from the weather, sharp objects and infections. Most kids do not need shoes that have special features to shape or support the feet.

Soft, flexible, and slip resistant are the keys for infant footwear. A baby's feet should be as unrestricted as possible. Shoes with flexible soles will let him walk easily, almost as if he is bare footed.

Soft flexible leather is the best. It is a natural fibre, and will mould to the shape of the foot and allow the feet to 'breathe'. Thus, the amount of perspiration is minimized. Therefore, leather helps to absorb sweating in the shoe, so often associates with synthetics or man-made materials.

If you insist on leather as being the best for your baby, beware of artificial leather that is not natural, but man-made. Artificial leather will cause a baby's feet to sweat more! For those on a restricted budget, canvas uppers are an ideal alternative, as the feet are able to 'breathe'.

Slip resistant soles will also aid your baby, when he starts to pull himself up, and begins to cruise around the furniture when he makes his first attempts at learning to walk.

Fitting Shoes

All proper walking shoes for toddlers should be expertly measured and fitted. An expert shoe fitter can measure not only the length and width, but also the height and proportion of the foot. Some children require a shoe that is deeper or shallower than average. An experienced fitter can also spot a potential 'fit' problem which your child cannot tell you about. Toddlers feet change rapidly, and buying shoes from a specialist children's shoe store is therefore preferable.

Some of the larger chains and independent shoes stores in New Zealand also carry a limited range of children's footwear with very few offering experienced shoe fitting for children.

A good fit is extremely important for beginning walkers. Apparently 70% of foot problems later in life can be directly related to wearing ill-fitting shoe as children.

Because proper fit is essential, you should not use hand-me-down shoes for your child. These shoes would have formed the former wearer's feet mould already. Doctors recommend checking the fit of your child's foot every two to three months during the first walking year, a time when feet grow rapidly.

Beginning shoes do not need ankle support, regardless of what Grandma might say. Hence, 'high tops' are not necessary. A lower-cut shoe can have advantages for children who are just staring to walk. It gives them the opportunity to use and strengthen their leg muscles, and more freedom to move and develop coordination.

Finally, shoes should be easy to get on and off - although not so easy that your child can pull them off every two minutes just for fun.