Back to School Shopping Tips for Parents
With the school year about to begin, it’s important to parents to purchase the right footwear for their children. Since there are a plethora of options to consider, parents can sometimes feel overwhelmed when deciding on which footwear to choose.
Shoes Should Fit
Your child’s feet can grow up to two sizes in six months, so you need to account for growth when buying shoes. That does not mean you should buy shoes that are too big—oversized shoes cause the foot to slide forward, putting excessive pressure on the toes. Foot and ankle surgeons suggest a good fit is about a finger's width from the end of the shoe to the tip of the big toe.
To ensure your child’s safety, here are some tips we would recommend for parents:
Shoes Should Fit: Since your child’s feet can grow up to two sizes over six months, you may need to account for growth when buying their shoes. We do not recommend buying shoes that are too big as oversized shoes can lead to your child’s foot to slide forward, putting excessive pressure on their toes. With tight shoes, they can often lead to blisters, corns, and calluses on your child’s toes. In some cases, tight shoes can lead to ingrown toenails which can become infected leading to pain, redness or fluid draining from the area. As a general rule of thumb, we recommend a finger's width from the end of the shoe to the tip of the big toe to provide a good fit.
Shoes Wear Out: Shoes will lose their shock absorption over time. As a parent, it is important to inspect your children’s new and old shoes for proper cushioning and arch support. We caution against worn-out shoes as they elevate the risk of heel pain, Achilles tendonitis, ankle sprains and stress fractures. We also recommend replacing any shoes with wear and tear around the edges of the sole.
Children with Flat Feet: this type of feet often need shoes with a wide toe box, maximum arch support and shock absorption. For children with flat feet, the best shoes to buy are oxfords that you can lace-up as they have enough depth for an orthotic if required.
As parents, it is imperative to set up your children with the proper foot wear in order to protect them during their time at school. We provide paediatric foot services for all our patients’ children. Set up an appointment today prior to the start of the school year.
