HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHOES FOR YOUR BABY

In collaboration with Chicco

The foot has a fundamental function in the motor development of the child, it presides over balance, stability and locomotion: for this reason it is important to choose the most suitable footwear, able to follow and respect their physiological growth and therefore the different age phases of the child.
It is important that children's shoes are, first of all, comfortable, light and flexible to accommodate the natural movement of the foot. Furthermore, it is very important that the surface on which the foot rests is irregular in order to naturally develop the muscles that will subsequently lead to the natural formation of the plantar arch.
How to choose the right shoe? The main element to keep in mind is age, following the various stages of growth and remembering that the evolutionary stages can change from child to child.

When to put shoes on children: the right age to start

Each age requires its own shoe with certain characteristics: for example in the first months of life it is advisable that i children's feet are free to discover the stimuli coming from the external environment, leaving them barefoot. To protect them from the cold it is important to choose one footwear made with very soft materials to allow the foot maximum freedom of movement.

When the first steps begin, it becomes even more important to choose and put on the right shoes for children: they must be flexible in the right places, very soft and slightly structured to accompany them during the important passage from crawling to their first steps. Normally this "passage" varies from child to child, but generally starts from 9 or 10 months and can reach up to 18, with a higher incidence around 12 months. However, it should never be forgotten that even when our puppy begins to walk, his feet are not yet well developed (in the first 4 years of life the foot is physiologically flat), so it is important to let him walk around barefoot or with non-slip socks (in a protected and clean environment, like at home) on different surfaces, better if irregular, to favor the gradual formation of the plantar arch. Outside the home, however, it is better to use a shoe with an insole equipped with soft reliefs designed to reproduce the natural stimulation necessary, as we have seen, for the formation of the foot arch.

How to choose shoes for children: tips and tricks

How to choose children's shoes? Here are some tips and suggestions: first of all it is advisable to give preference shoes with light and flexible soles and that facilitate the step, without tiring the muscles. Better to choose shoes slightly high in the back, to help the child in the phase of the first steps, and lined internally with natural materials that allow the foot to transpire (especially in summer). The tip must then be wide, in order to allow the complete articulation of the toes.
On the contrary, it is better to avoid shoes that are too large, which could create abrasions due to the rubbing of the foot.

Shoes for children from 9 months to 2 years: flexibility and lightness

From the age of 9 months, babies slowly begin to pull themselves up, passing from the crawling phase to that of the first small steps. It is a very important moment because, with the exercise and the right freedom of movement, the child gradually acquires the correct dynamics of the step (the one that characterizes the walk of adults), that is the ability to rest the foot from the heel, passing to the side. outside up to the big toe. For this reason Chicco has studied a shoe with sole with different thicknesses which allows the foot to rest properly and induces the child to adequately unload the weight of the body, facilitating the correct movement of the walk, from the outside of the heel to the tip of the big toe
In addition, shoes for children aged 9 to 12 months must be flexible in the front, therefore equipped with that flex zone that allows the foot the natural flexibility and must not provide any plantar support but be slightly reinforced on the heel, to accommodate the natural movement of the foot. Another important feature that a shoe should have: an insole with an irregular surface to help the foot interact with the ground and promote the formation of the plantar arch.

Shoes for children aged 2 to 5/6: stimulate movements

Shoes for children aged 2 to 5/6, who are now able to walk quickly, run and jump, must both guide the child's increasingly evolved movements and ensure stability of the heel, preventing the child from assuming a posture incorrect during motor activities. In this case Chicco has created footwear with soles with different thicknesses, to guide the increasingly evolved movements of the foot and favor the child's motor progress. No less important is a reinforcement on the back of the shoe that allows the control of the so-called talar area, i.e. the area corresponding to the heel, for avoid internal or external lateral sliding that can lead to incorrect postural attitudes. You should also prefer shoes with linings in natural and breathable materials, such as leather or fabrics, and with a practical hand-proof closure.

How to measure and choose the right shoe for your child's foot

We now come to the "painful notes": children's feet grow very quickly, even after a few weeks, so it is important to periodically check the growth of the foot by replacing the shoe when necessary. The foot of the child up to 3 years old, for example, grows about 4 mm per month, so the shoe should be replaced approximately every 3 months.

But how to measure and choose the right shoe for your child's foot? How to understand how much shoe wears? The most important thing to do is to make sure that the toes remain free: this means leaving a space of at least 6-7 millimeters between the end of the big toe and the tip of the shoe. Like? If possible, take out the insole and let the foot rest on it, so as to immediately understand if it is the right size. Warning: never buy shoes of a larger size and then put cotton in them!

Shoes for the first steps: other useful tips

Is it better high or low shoes for children? In the phase of the first steps it is advisable to choose a slightly high shoe to help the child during the step, subsequently it is indifferent that the shoe is high in the back.

As already mentioned above, the child's foot is physiologically flat because the plantar arch forms naturally in the first 4 years (in some cases even beyond). It is therefore a normal condition that should not be corrected with support or anatomical insoles, unless specifically indicated by the pediatrician.

Another question from many mothers: when the children are at home, is it better to make them wear non-slip shoes or socks? We have already given the answer: better ... barefoot, or at most with non-slip socks.

How to clean children's shoes? It depends on the material: on leather shoes, dust and mud can be removed with a normal shoe brush, while for patent leather shoes you need to use a damp cloth to restore shine. Suede shoes can be washed with a cloth soaked in water and neutral soap, while for those in fabric it is recommended to wipe them with a damp cloth and neutral soap. The important thing is never to wash children's shoes in the washing machine because the materials deteriorate during washing.