Vagaluz's tips for picking the best shoes for your child

When they are babies we use shoes to protect feet from the cold and as a fashion accessory. However, from a certain age, choosing the correct shoe is fundamental for the healthy development of the foot and in order to avoid future problems in the musculoskeletal system, especially between the ages of 3 and 7 years.

Today in Vagaluz we are going to give you the keys to choosing the best shoes for your children’s feet.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Requirements for choosing the right shoes for your child’s feet

The Official College of Podiatrists of Valencia in Spain has created ten recommendations for choosing the best children’s footwear.

1. The shoe must reach under the medial malleolus (the lateral bones of the ankle) and, in the case of boots, they should be flexible in order to allow movement of the bones.
2. The insole must be flat and flexible
3. The shoe must be flat or with a very small heel, and wide enough at the front in order to allow the toes to move.
4. It is recommended that you use footwear made with natural, breathable materials.
5. The shoe should mould to the foot and hold it securely, with laces or velcro across the instep. Flip-flops or sandals are not recommended.
6. It is best to wear shoes for a few hours a day. Take them off at home and only wear anti-slip socks.
7. Frequently check that between the big toe and the end of the shoe there is a space of between 0.5cm and 1cm.
8. The best time to buy shoes is at the end of the day, since that is when feet are the most swollen.
9. Never buy a larger size since that can alter the way your child walks.
10. Wearing a shoe that does not fit properly can cause deformities in the toes or ingrown toenails, tendonitis in the Achilles heel, pain in the sole of the foot and also in the heels.                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Is it okay for girls to wear heels?

It is very common at home for girls to “steal” their mum’s high-heels so that they can play with them. However, it is one thing to wear high-heels for a very short time and another to wear them every day. At what age can they begin to wear them? It is okay to wear them?

Things to consider:

• Problems: according to experts, the use of ill-fitting footwear increases problems with flat feet, the spine and hips by 50% in children under 8 years old. In high-heeled shoes, the girl’s weight shifts to the toes when the foot is still developing/growing.
• Negative effects of wearing high heels: in the short-term, wearing high heels all the time can produce pain, a burning sensation on the soles of the feet, corns and bunions. Moreover, in the long term it can produce more serious problems, such as scoliosis, displacement of the centre of gravity, and problems with the knees.
• Appropriate height of heels: the appropriate height of a heel for a child until adolescence should not be above 2 or 3 centimetres, and the shoes should not have a narrow toe. 

If girls wear heels (of one or two centimetres in height) to a formal event, you can always bring another pair of shoes for them to change into. After all, it is very important that girls feet do not hurt.                                                                                                                                                                                              

Are trainers okay?

Experts agree that all types of footwear, including trainers, are okay as long as they comply with the aforementioned requirements. It is recommended that a child who takes part in sports have a couple of pairs of trainers in order to wear them on alternate days and air them sufficiently. Moreover, it is advisable to change socks after each physical activity in order to keep feet as dry as possible.

So, now you know what to look out for when choosing footwear for your children. Do not forget to check the size of their feet regularly, since they are constantly growing. When it comes to picking the right shoes for our children, we need to consider not only our children’s tastes but also their health.