To prevent children from having problems with feet, spine or back resulting from an incorrect walk, it is important that they are well-worn. Especially when they are small, and they do not know how to explain to us that the shoes are tight, we should check their feet frequently and take into account some recommendations to ensure that the footwear we choose is appropriate.
We already know that children's feet grow very fast, so we give you five Useful tips to get right with your child's shoe size that you must take into account when buying shoes.
How much does the foot grow for children?
During the first 15 months of life the foot grows approximately half a number (3 millimeters) every two months; from 15 months to two years, half number every three months; and from two to three years, half a number every three or four months. Is about rapid growth which will make the shoes "last a little". And we have to monitor if a children's shoe is suitable or no longer serves the child, since they will not usually tell us.
The shoe does not have to be very wide (it would be almost as if the child was barefoot at this stage when the foot needs to be footwear for its good development) or very tight, since it would cause forced postures, “vices” when walking, wounds or deformations in the development of the foot.
The bones of the feet grow to 14-16 years of age before fully ossifying, and during this process it is very harmful to wear a tight shoe.
Tips to get the right size when buying shoes
Do not trust the sizes
Size numbers may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so don't rely on your child that your child is 30 (for example) because they vary so much.
Do not buy online without trying them before
Unless you already have shoes from that manufacturer and know that the size and the model are doing well (and of course, the foot has not grown) avoid buying online or by catalog. In that case, it is better to go to the store and try them before to make sure they will be comfortable and suitable for their size.
One centimeter ahead or in the heel
Check that the longest toe (usually the big toe, but it can also be the second) does not touch the toe but remains a space of at least one centimeter. If the space is smaller, you have to think about changing it.
Some shoes do not allow you to easily check it on the toe, so you should check if you can insert a finger through the back of the foot, between the child's heel and the shoe, without difficulty.
Check your child's feet
Check the condition of your child's feet frequently. If you have chafing, wounds, broken nails or nails in your finger are an indicator that you need to increase the size of shoes.
When in doubt, one more size
It is important that the shoe is not loose because it can also cause injuries and chafing, and also the foot must be held in the footwear and not dancing. But if you doubt between one size and another, always choose the largest one and place a template instead of buying a shoe that will soon be small.
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