How to Ensure Your Child is Wearing the Right Size Shoes
Children need to feel comfortable in their shoes at home and at school. Unfortunately, many parents buy the wrong size shoes for their children, which can lead to painful blisters, ingrown toenails and even bone malformations
Children need to feel comfortable in their shoes at home and at school. Unfortunately, many parents buy the wrong size shoes for their children, which can lead to painful blisters, ingrown toenails and even bone malformations. There are some simple techniques that parents can use to ensure that their young children wear the correct size shoes that will look and feel comfortable.
Measure
Children's feet grow very quickly. Do not rely on what size shoes your child wore two or three months ago. Make sure that each time you go shoe shopping that you take the time to measure your child's feet. Even if their shoe size has not changed, shoe sizes vary according to brand and style. To get a proper measurement, get your child to stand upright and to place their full weight on their feet. It is not uncommon for one foot to be slightly bigger than the other. If that is the case, buy a pair of shoes in the larger size, in order to accommodate the larger foot.
Afternoon Shopping
Feet swell throughout the day. The same is true for children as well as adults. That is why it is best to try and shop for shoes in the afternoon, which will give a better indication of the size and fit that will suit your child most comfortably.
Good Fit
Parents should always be on the lookout for a good fit of shoe for their children rather than bowing to pressure to buy the latest fashion. A good fit will ensure that children's feet have room to move and breathe. Many fashionable brands of shoes compromise on comfort, which can make children's feet sore. Soft shoes that bend at the ball of the foot will offer more comfort to children. If parents buy the correct size shoes for their children, there will be no need to "break them in".
Inspection
Even if parents have been careful to measure their children's feet and have followed the other steps in an effort to find the best fit for their children, they should still check their children's feet periodically. Are the feet red? Have they developed blisters? Any sign of irritation will show up on children's feet and should be quickly addressed.
Parents are responsible for making sure that they buy their children the right size shoes that fit snugly and comfortably. Ill-fitting shoes can lead to great discomfort and can even stunt a child's growth.