How to choose children's shoes
The choice of children's shoes and baby shoes is quite different from the selection of adult shoes. As you will read in the following article, the choice of footwear has a serious impact on the child's health until the age of 18, when the foot is fully seated. For this study, we have scanned, translated and compiled many sources from abroad. Later, we submitted the study after an expert approval in case there was an error in the sources we found - and / or in our translation. The research consists of 7 different articles and 2 training videos. We took care not to duplicate the information in the articles and videos. For the most comprehensive information, we recommend that you both read the article and watch the videos.
Child and baby foot:
The foot is a complex structure consisting of 26 bones and 35 joints, supported by ligaments. The baby's foot is composed of cartilage and fat rather than bone and muscle and is very flexible.
This is good, because a possible congenital disorder in the baby's foot can usually be solved with the help of mold, without the need for surgical intervention.
It is bad, because the wrong choice of shoes to be made by parents at an early age, especially in the first few years of walking, can affect the development of the foot in the wrong direction and cause future deformation.
The biggest change in the baby's feet occurs in the first 36 months of life (3 years).
Although the shape and structure of the foot occurs in 24 months (2 years), complete development and hardening of the bones of the foot is completed only at the age of 18 years.
(1) In the first 6 months, the foot is composed of more cartilage and therefore the risk of deformation is very high with the wrong choice of shoes.
(2) At age 2, bone tissue begins to develop, but there are still large gaps between the bones.
(3) 8 years old, although the second part of the phalangeal (phalangeal-toe bones) and the metatarsal - (foot-comb bones) are prominent, these parts require more than 10 years to fully clamp. Choosing the wrong shoes can easily affect this process.
The arch of a child's foot (the arch under the foot) usually continues to develop until puberty. In infants, the foot arch is usually not visible for up to 24 months. Up to this age, there is an oil cushion instead of a curvature. This pillow fills the curve, giving the foot a ”flat base” appearance, but this is not the case. The pillow is a natural curvature at that age and is normal to have.
But when the baby starts to use the foot - especially when it starts to walk - the fat layer on the foot begins to dissolve.
When a foot-squeezing shoe is used, this fat tissue will erode, causing the bones to rub into the skin and cause damage. This causes foot callus, accumulation of water, skin hardening and other painful conditions.
Ironically, our feet are the only regions in our body that lose fat as they age. Because we actually need oil here. ”I always dreamed that one day we would go to a fat removal operation from the stomach and leave with fat and happy feet.”
A baby typically starts walking between 8-18 months. The toddler is usually a flat base, and / or they step inward while walking (by turning the leg) because muscle strength and ligament stiffness are not yet sufficient. The flatfoot almost always improves by the age of about 6 years. At this age, the fat layer under the foot dissolves and the arch of the foot emerges.
* Before the age of 6, it is normal for the child's foot to be in a flat-footed appearance, which does not necessarily mean that the foot is flat. This appearance usually returns to normal at the age of 6, but if it does not, it can only be mentioned about flat insoles.
When to buy shoes?
Babies and toddlers don't really need a shoe that supports the foot. They will not squeeze their feet, they will provide flexibility rather than support the foot, the shape of a shoe that is appropriate to the feet. In this period - if any - the function of the shoe is to keep the foot warm and protect it against injury.
Ian A child doesn't need shoes before walking outdoors, Jul says Julian Livingstone, podiatrist at Barnet General Hospital.
So don't rush to buy shoes for your child, wait until you walk.
During the development of the foot, the child's walking on uneven surfaces (non-sharp) so as not to damage the foot will strengthen the connective and muscular tissue of the foot.
The photograph depicts a barefoot child who has fallen into play and has managed to balance on a stump. Here, the natural natural grip of the toes, the feet naturally gain strength and coordination.
If he had been wearing shoes, he would not have been able to achieve this natural development, and would put additional strain on his spine and other major bone groups to maintain body balance.
Also; Walking barefoot is useful for all ages. Health professionals around the world have agreed that walking with bare feet is the best in general health, not just for healthy foot development. Moreover, in countries where walking with bare feet is normal, individuals are seen to have less problems with feet, knees, hips and back in their older ages.
What kind of shoes?
The front of the shoe should be wider than the heel. Just like your baby's natural foot shape. (See Video 1)
In socks, they can be harmful to the feet, especially when they restrict their movement by pressing the toes. Young children should wear socks only when wearing shoes.
”Generally, the standard recommendation for shoes is clear: the shoe should have 3-5 rows of perforated lace, velcro fasteners or other closure. Such a shoe is suitable because it cannot be thrown out of the foot, but it will also better cover the small and plump feet.
As a general rule, avoid shoes with open back (slipper) or slip-on shoes in children.
It may look nice, but be sure to avoid the heel. Aside from the difficulty of walking on it, it is detrimental to foot development.
In addition, when you find a shoe that is fit and healthy, giving the child a chance to choose, for example choosing the color and pattern of the shoe to be used, can be very beneficial for his psychological development. (Added in consultation with Specialist Psychiatrist Dr.)
When purchasing, choose models that provide space for the foot to move. We recommend at most one finger space (1-1.5 cm.) At your fingertips.
The heel should also be suitable for the foot. The heel should stand clutched and not compressed.
Choose shoes that are comfortable and breathable - leather and canvas. ”The foot has 250,000 sweat glands, and in a warm, dark and dull state, discomfort such as athlete's foot may occur in a synthetic sports shoe.
The sole must be durable enough to protect the foot but flexible enough to bend with the foot. In other words, the child's foot should be protected but at the same time he should feel the ground. The base should not be slippery, but should not be non-skid. This will cause the child to put his foot later on the floor and raise it sooner as he walks and will disrupt the way he is walking.
Shoe size selection:
Always have the child's feet measured before buying shoes. When taking 1 min. A shoe that has been tried and relaxed may not feel comfortable after a full day of running, jumping and playing.
Foot development in children and infants:
- 9-16 months: 0.50 cm every 2 months *
- 16-24 months: 0.50 cm every 3 months.
- 24-36 months: 0.50 cm every 4 months.
- 3-4 years: 0.50 cm every 6 months.
- Above 4 years: 0.50 cm every 8-12 months. * (0,50 cm. - Approximate number 1 in European dimensions. Ex: 38 to 39)
As adults, we say 'shoes are opening'. But this is not true in children. The child's shoes should be comfortable and appropriate to the foot when he wears them. Since our foot structure is seated, the shoes will adapt to our feet with time. In children, the situation may be the opposite.
Since small children have very loose ties, they can adjust to their shoes without feeling pain when they wear a shoe that is not suitable for it. However, long-term foot damage may occur.
Shoe that is small to the foot: It can depress and deform the fingers and / or prepare the ground for the formation of a bunion next to the thumb. It can also cause many kinds of disorders in both the comb part and the heel part of the foot.
Big shoes: As the child's feet grow fast, it always seems a good option to buy as big shoes as possible. But it's wrong. Shoes that are larger than 1 toe on the feet can cause ”claw fingers dan because the child must hold them with their fingers to hold them on their feet.
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