Good parents always try to give their child the best. In childhood, the foundations are laid, on which the future health of a small person largely depends. The first shoes for the baby are of great importance. How do you choose the best option for your first steps without getting overwhelmed by the sheer abundance on the market? After all, the first shoes cannot be chosen based solely on aesthetic considerations. They must comply with safety requirements in order for the small foot to develop correctly.

Beauty shoes

Speaking of the very first boots or shoes, many people mean booties. When is the first time you can put your baby in such shoes? It does not matter at all, even for discharge from the hospital, many parents purchase this cute accessory. But rather, booties can be attributed not to shoes, but to socks. They perform a decorative and warming function, because the baby will not run in it. There are no strict rules governing the choice. It is desirable that the booties are made of soft natural material that does not irritate delicate skin. Of course, they should not be decorated with elements that a small owner, in a fit of knowing the world, will tear off and eat.

It is quite another thing - the first shoes for beginners to walk. It is very different from booties, and we will see this now.

Doctors' opinion

Pediatricians pay great attention to such an important moment as the first shoes for a baby. How to choose?

Komarovsky Evgeny Olegovich, a well-known pediatrician, has repeatedly drawn the attention of parents to this topic. A supporter of natural development and minimization of interference in natural processes, Dr. Komarovsky believes that there are not so many rules. The leg should not dangle, excessively shrink, rush. Moreover, according to the doctor, it is not worth buying orthopedic shoes for a healthy child - they are intended only for those who have problems with the formation of the foot.

Children's flat feet: how to recognize?

There is a common misconception among young parents that it is easy to diagnose flat feet on your own using the baby's footprints. It is enough to wet the legs and let the child walk on the smooth floor - and the material for the home consultation is ready. This often leads to sad consequences, because mothers also try to correct the defect on their own. Often in such cases, shoes are purchased for the smallest, which do not suit them at all.

Remember: you can't do that. The diagnosis of "flat feet" can only be made by a doctor. By the way, the footprint on which the entire foot is imprinted is not at all an alarming symptom. Up to a certain age, this phenomenon is completely normal. It's all about the fatty layer under the skin, which is completely natural for children under one year old.

The main question is: when should a child buy shoes?

The answer is simple: when the need arises. And it will arise only at the moment when the baby begins to stomp on the sidewalk. The first steps are not a reason to fly to the store. Especially if it happens in a snowy winter or wet autumn. Remember, the leg grows quickly, experience is acquired more slowly. Give your baby the opportunity to learn to walk confidently at home, and only then think about walking.

Main Requirements

Going to the store, remember the set of rules that the first shoes for the baby must comply with. How to choose the most suitable option? Use the reminder:

1. Durable supportive heel.
2. The presence of a supinator.
3. natural materials.
4. Convenient fastening clasp.
5. Appropriate size.
6. Embossed outsole.

Some features are related to the season. We will consider this in detail next.

Many parents do not advise buying shoes with Velcro or other fasteners that the baby can easily unfasten himself. He will learn to put on and take off his shoes a little later, and at the age of about a year he is more interested in experimenting, which often leads to an elementary loss of a shoe.

How not to

It will not be superfluous to remember some taboos. These include:

• high heel;
• soft sole;
• slippery sole;
• platforms, wedges;
• Vietnamese;
• slippers without a heel;
• shoes that do not match the size and season.

A word about the best

Soft genuine leather, patented systems, patterns honed over the years - this is important for shoes, so the best manufacturers use all the accumulated experience and the latest technologies for its production. We will consider the products of some of the most famous brands in more detail.

cool off season

Kickers has established itself in the market for a long time. Among her trendy products are shoes for the little ones. Boots and shoes are made only from calfskin, supplied with a relief polyurethane sole with arch support and good heel support.

A feature of Kickers shoes is a recognizable classic design and different labels with a logo: red on one shoe, green on the other.

When choosing boots for autumn and spring, pay attention to the quality of the seams and the fastening of the sole. These shoes are designed for coolness, not for cold and real dampness. Special tightness is not needed here, but there should not be obvious gaps.

What is Gore-Tex?

A special membrane fabric that does not allow the foot to get wet, freeze and sweat is widely used in the production of shoes for professional athletes, military, and tourists. But it is also widespread in the world. Today, Gortex is used by many manufacturers, including Ecco. If you are looking for shoes for boys who are eager to measure the depth of all the surrounding puddles or play polar explorers, Ekko boots may be the best choice. There is a wide choice of models for little princesses, and the main difference between the entire model range of this company is the use of rich, but not easily soiled colors: purple, swamp green, chocolate, cherry.

When choosing shoes for walking in the cold and wet season, remember: inappropriate sizes are unacceptable, and ankle support is highly desirable.

Winter, cold... UGG for the little ones

Not always the first is for walking. This is especially true for the northern regions and very cold winters. If you're looking for boots that are guaranteed to keep you warm, look no further than Uggs. The original shoes of this manufacturer are made of soft suede and natural sheepskin. It's hard to find a warmer combination.

These boots look very impressive, but you should not walk in them for a long time - due to insufficient fixation of the ankle, the legs will get tired. But it is difficult to come up with the best option for trips on a sled or in a stroller.

Sunny summer

Summer shoes can be either with or without a heel. The main condition is a good fixation on the ankle. Summer is the season when even a baby who has just learned to walk can walk down the street on foot. In this regard, sports shoes with a soft bending sole are very convenient.

The best manufacturers of sports equipment, for example, Columbia, offer shoes for kids with the ability to adjust the rise - hard Velcro is provided for this. Deep tread prevents slipping.

beach season

Not all summer shoes are suitable for outdoor activities, so beach shoes should be mentioned separately. Doctors say that the first shoes for a child should not be made of rubber - the foot swells in it, and moving parts can rub. In this case, it is better to pay attention to Crocs products, which are famous for their quality characteristics. It is made of natural rubber, adapts to the shape and individual characteristics of the legs, does not rub, does not soar, and dries very quickly.

Design is also important. Bright "crocs" can be decorated at your discretion with all kinds of jibits, which are securely fixed on the shoes and will not succumb to the fingers or teeth of the owner.

In addition, "crocs" can be worn at home. They do not have an arch support, but thanks to the comfortable ergonomic shape of the sole, they provide reliable support for the arch of the foot.

Shoes for home

It is worth buying home shoes only if it is cold in the house, and it is inconvenient for a child to walk in socks alone. A healthy baby does not need to be forced to wear shoes "just in case" - this only harms him. But if you need to buy a pair of indoor shoes, pay attention to Zetpol textile slippers. Their main advantage is the budget price with quite decent quality. The shoes of this company fully meet all the requirements, while being perfectly washed and quite suitable for walking along the street in dry weather. In addition, it is very wear-resistant, which should be the first shoes for the baby.

How to choose the right pair? First you need to find out the size and at the same time do not forget that the size charts of different manufacturers may not match. And how to do this, we will now find out.

How to know the size?

The first rule - never try to measure the leg in weight. Firstly, a mobile baby is unlikely to let you calmly focus on the process, and secondly, the information received will not be objective. Place the leg on a support with a sheet of paper underneath it. Lower the ruler perpendicular to the floor so that it touches the heel, make a mark. Repeat with your fingers. It remains to measure the distance between the two marks.

Some manufacturers, such as Clarks, offer handy devices for measuring the size of the foot. With their help, the first shoes for the baby can be easily selected.

How to choose shoes using a similar accessory? Just put the foot in the right place, move the slider and look into the round hole - both the length of the foot and the desired size will be marked there. Remember: for the selection of shoes from other manufacturers, such a device may not be suitable.

Orthopedic shoes

What does this term mean? These are special shoes that are individually selected by an orthopedic doctor. It is sold in specialized stores and pharmacies. Such shoes for boys and girls who do not have leg health problems are not suitable.

If your child is prescribed to wear follow the doctor's recommendations. By the way, if it seems to you that it looks dull and unattractive, modern manufacturers are ready to dispel doubts. For example, the well-known company Bartek produces not only ordinary, but also very beautiful orthopedic shoes for the little ones.

For leg health

We already know how to choose good shoes and boots, but do not forget about preventive measures.

Encourage walking barefoot on soft grass, clean sand, and sea pebbles. Warm up your baby regularly. Get a special rug on which you can stomp in the cold season. Do not forget about preventive massages. These measures and well-chosen shoes will contribute to the health of your baby.

For the first steps of the crumbs, many parents begin to prepare in advance. And, having heard and read articles about the “terrible” flat feet and other problems that begin to “grow up” with an upright child, they wonder if their son or daughter should buy special shoes “on the first step”. The well-known pediatrician Yevgeny Komarovsky tells whether it is necessary to put on shoes for a child who is learning to walk, and what should be the first shoes of a toddler.

Do you need shoes?

Yevgeny Komarovsky believes that a child may well learn to walk without shoes. Moreover, the human foot is designed in such a way that he can move exclusively barefoot. After all, no one is born in sandals or boots! In terms of a natural approach, no special footwear is required for a baby's first step.

But when the child learns to stomp on foot, he will have to slowly teach him to wear shoes.

After all, he will not go barefoot to kindergarten, for a walk or to the clinic.

Parents should understand that shoes do not correct anything, and the arch of the foot will usually be as it is destined to be according to genetics. Shoes do not affect the straightness or curvature of the legs, whether the baby learns to walk faster or he will do it slowly. Shoes only protect the feet from cold and mechanical stress, and nothing more. And you need to treat it from this position.

Barefoot or sandals?

All children, without exception, are born with flat feet, that is, 100% of babies have flat feet. The foot is formed as it grows and develops, and usually by the age of 12 it becomes clear whether there is flat feet or not. Dr. Evgeny Komarovsky says that parents themselves are often to blame for flat feet, because from childhood they taught the child to wear slippers at home, sandals on the street.

The risk of developing flat feet can be significantly reduced by allowing your child to walk barefoot more often. Houses on the floor - this should always be, and slippers are harmful. It is very good if the child has somewhere to run barefoot at least sometimes except for his apartment.

It's great to let it out with bare heels on the grass, on small stones, on asphalt, if you live in your own house and there is a yard area. In the summer, on vacation in the village with his grandmother, the child is simply obliged to run barefoot. All this has a positive effect on the formation of the arch of the foot.

You don't have to worry about hypothermia. Mom should not worry that a barefoot child who walks on the floor or on the ground will catch a cold. The legs are the only part of the human body, the vessels of which, when in contact with a cold surface, are able to narrow and thereby "save" heat, not give it away to the environment. Walking barefoot is good. And sitting in the cold is absolutely impossible, because the vessels of the priests in a child cannot narrow.

It is necessary to work on ensuring that the foot is healthy from an early age.

Parents, according to Komarovsky, do not need to rush things and specifically teach the child to walk. The unavailability of the musculoskeletal system, muscles and ligaments, as well as the spine and feet, especially in a plump little one, can cause a variety of orthopedic problems. The child must take the first steps on his own, without coercion from adults, and when he is completely ready for this himself.

When are shoes needed?

Theoretically, a child begins to need shoes when he begins to leave the house "into people." All toddlers who begin to walk have an unsteady, unsteady gait, they do not have a well-developed kick with their feet. This can be partly explained by the limited function of the children's ankle. From this point of view, it will be much more convenient for the child to take more confident steps in high shoes that will fix and support the feet.

This does not mean that all parents of beginner "stompers" should urgently run to the store for children's shoes with a high back and arch support. It is needed only for those babies who walk unsteadily, often fall, and solely in order to give them a little more stability and confidence. Once they have them, you can wear any shoes - with a low heel, with a soft heel, with anything, of any model, as long as the baby is comfortable in it.

High and fixing shoes are needed, in theory, only for children under 3 years old. If it ceases to be needed earlier, it's okay.

Orthopedic shoes

A child needs orthopedic shoes when an orthopedic doctor reveals certain problems in him, for example, valgus feet, clubfoot, etc. These diagnoses must be confirmed by x-ray studies. Only this gives the doctor the moral right to recommend mom to buy orthopedic shoes.

It often has to be made to order, taking into account the angle of curvature of the foot in a particular child. These parameters will be indicated by the doctor, and in the orthopedic salon they will try to take into account all the doctor's prescriptions.

However, you can often see how the parents of a completely healthy child go to buy him orthopedic shoes, very heavy, scary, ugly and expensive, but "terribly useful." They do this for preventive purposes, so that "there is no flat feet" and to avoid many other problems. And often they do it not on their own whim, but because the doctor advised.

Komarovsky is sure that as long as doctors in polyclinics receive a certain percentage of the profits of orthopedic shops and salons, this practice exists and will continue to exist.

A healthy child who has not been given very specific diagnoses that require correction with the help of special medical shoes does not need orthopedic shoes!

Legacy boots

Often parents are interested in whether it is possible to give shoes from an older child to a younger one. Komarovsky says that there is nothing wrong with the fact that the baby starts stomping in the boots of his brother or sister, no.

If the shoes fit him in size, do not press and do not hang on his leg, if they are in good condition, then there is no need to complicate anything. This is just clothes, and therefore it is possible to wear it after another child, subject to the rules of hygiene.

How to choose the first shoes?

There are a few simple rules, the knowledge of which will help parents choose the first, second, and each subsequent pair of shoes for their child, and at the same time not harm him:

Do not buy shoes "for growth." If the sandals are large, then the gait rhythm slows down. In this, of course, there is no particular orthopedic harm, but it is still unpleasant. To compensate for the inconvenience of wearing large shoes, the child will begin to tuck his socks inward, and his knees will often be half-bent when walking.

No need to buy heavy shoes. This is especially true of winter and autumn shoes for the baby. The kid has just learned to stomp, and heavy high boots are brought to him, besides, a caring grandmother will definitely put a pair of woolen socks on the legs of the little one before putting on shoes. To understand how a still dumb child feels, Komarovsky advises adults to put on ski boots and walk in them without skis on a flat road for at least half an hour.

The model of the first shoe does not play a big role, says Yevgeny Komarovsky. If the child is healthy, he does not have medically justified problems with the feet or spine, then the main thing is not the color and the presence of laces or Velcro, but the convenience for this child.

But it is important that the socks are still round, narrow noses prevent the normal development of the fingers.

Many moms and dads sincerely believe that the first shoes should not be any special. It is enough to choose soft slippers, shoes or boots. They are inexpensive, and the baby will grow quickly, why spend extra money. It is this phrase that orthopedists often hear from young parents who come with their kids to an appointment. But experts dispute this statement, because the health of the child's feet depends on the right shoes.

When to Consider Buying Your First Shoes

Doctors explain that the bones of a child of the first year of life are only being formed, therefore, under the influence of negative factors, they can easily be deformed. But you have to spend a lot of time on your feet, so it is very important to create all the conditions for the proper development of children's feet. To one of the most frequent questions “When to buy the first shoes for the baby?” orthopedists give an unequivocal answer: as the baby begins to walk on his own, that is, not earlier than nine to twelve months.

Many parents buy shoes for children from six months. This is not necessary: ​​the baby is only learning to sit, crawl and stand at the support, so ordinary socks or booties will be enough.

Before buying your first shoes, consult with an orthopedist: the doctor will give useful recommendations for choosing

In some cases, if the child has problems with the formation of the feet, the doctor may recommend buying the first shoes when the little one learns to stand on his feet. But if the baby is developing according to the norms, being at home barefoot or in socks is the best option before walking. As soon as the first steps are taken, it is necessary to make an appointment with an orthopedist. The doctor will conduct an examination and give valuable recommendations on choosing the right shoes, shoes or boots for the baby.

Gallery: types of shoes for different seasons

For convenience, it is recommended to buy the first shoes with Velcro, but laces are also not prohibited.
The first summer shoes should not have an open toe.
It is better to buy boots for a baby from natural materials. Winter boots should have natural fur so that the foot does not freeze and sweat

Video: baby's first shoes

Basic requirements for the first shoe: what is the most important

Children's stores offer a huge variety of shoes for toddlers. Experts advise focusing not only on a beautiful appearance, but also on more important criteria. The fact is that the products should help the proper development of the feet, as well as correct small changes that are often found in toddlers.

Responsible manufacturers adhere to medical requirements. Their models have all the necessary quality certificates so as not to harm the health of the crumbs and not negatively affect the development of the feet.

Proper children's shoes are a guarantee of healthy feet for the crumbs in the future

Weight and material

The first shoes or sandals should not be heavy. It is necessary that while walking the child feels comfortable and comfortable. A model that does not restrict movement will allow you to master upright walking without unnecessary problems.

The main rule - choose shoes only from natural materials:

• leather products are considered the best option. Excessive moisture is quickly absorbed into them, the baby's leg breathes and does not freeze;
• textile models are also on sale, which have proven themselves on the positive side. For the summer, you can buy light fabric shoes;
• if you buy winter boots, make sure that there is natural fur inside.

It is worth noting that rubber boots, which are so popular today, should not be worn by children at such an early age. They do not fix the leg while walking, and this is fraught with deformation of the feet.

Form and heel

Another important criterion: the product must be free and not squeeze the tiny leg. You can not buy shoes with pointed toes, only with wide ones so that the baby can freely move his toes while walking.

If the baby is learning to walk in the warm season, orthopedists advise picking up sandals or sandals with a closed toe to avoid injuring the fingers of a child who is still stomping uncertainly, may stumble and hit.

The back must be rigid and high in order to tightly fix the ankle joint. Only in this case, the little one will put his foot in the correct position. For children under 5-6 years old, experts recommend models with a closed heel.

The first shoes must be with a wide toe and a closed back.

Arch support and insole

The foot of a newborn is flat, and only as it grows older does it form and acquire the necessary bends. A significant role in this is played by the instep support - a small elevation on the insole in the form of a pillow. The absence of this detail can lead to the development of flat feet. When choosing, make sure that there is a membrane, textile or leather insole inside the shoe that allows air to pass through well.

Sometimes orthopedists prescribe special insoles for a child without this pad. But such a decision is made only by a doctor, depending on the diagnosis. In footwear for healthy children, an arch support must be mandatory - this is an element of high-quality models.

In high-quality children's shoes, there must be an arch support

Heel and sole

The heel should be small, flat shoes are categorically not suitable for crumbs, as they lead to a violation of gait, then posture and other negative consequences in the development of the musculoskeletal system.

The best solution is the Thomas heel, which manufacturers use for preventive and therapeutic footwear. It has an elongated shape on the inside, which allows you to evenly distribute the load and prevents the foot from falling inward. Its height forbabies who are just learning to walk upright is no more than 0.5 cm. As they grow older, it reaches 1.5 cm.

Buy your baby shoes with Thomas heels to prevent flat feet and other foot problems

In the first shoes of the child, the sole is more flexible than in older ones. When buying, be sure to check this detail, otherwise the little one will not be able to walk normally and will often fall. In high-quality models, porous rubber, natural rubber or polyurethane are used in the manufacture.

Another important point is the presence of shock-absorbing inserts (shock absorber). Children constantly run and jump, depreciation protects the legs from shock. But the absence of these details can lead to deformation of the child's foot.

Correct size and correct fasteners

First of all, choose the right size shoes. Everyone knows that for kids it is necessary to buy models with a margin, because the leg grows every day:

• for summer sandals and sandals, 1 cm more;
• for winter and demi-season products - by 1.5 cm.

You need to re-measure the leg every three months, and select the next pair according to new standards.

So that the child can quickly fasten the first shoes, give preference to Velcro, they are most convenient. Of course, laces are not forbidden, but it is much longer. Before buying, be sure to let the little one stomp a little in new shoes. If he is naughty, he doesn’t like something, and you see that the baby is uncomfortable, discard this model and try on another one. Even if sandals, boots or boots meet all of the above parameters, but the baby is uncomfortable, you should not buy such shoes.

If parents from an early age buy the right shoes for their baby, they can avoid many problems with the formation of feet.

Which models to give preference to: orthopedic or prophylactic

All mothers have heard about orthopedic shoes, but not many fully understand how they differ from ordinary ones and whether it is necessary for all children to wear orthopedics. Experts explain: the right shoes are called preventive. Its tasks for a healthy child who does not have problems with the development of the musculoskeletal system are:

• providing comfortable conditions while walking;
• protection of the baby's leg from injury and cold;
• promoting the correct formation of the feet as the baby grows up.

Orthopedic products are special models that are custom-made for children with established diagnoses and only with the direction or recommendation of an orthopedic doctor. Dr. Komarovsky draws attention to the fact that a healthy toddler needs the right preventive shoes.

Orthopedic shoes are considered therapeutic and are prescribed only for those children who have problems with the formation of the foot.

Video: Dr. Komarovsky about what the right children's shoes should be

Mistakes when choosing a product for the first steps

A large number of parents neglect the advice of specialists, motivating their choice by the fact that one-year-old children grow very quickly, so it makes absolutely no sense to spend decent amounts on expensive shoes, because in a month or two they will need to be changed. But do not forget that the health of the feet depends on the decision of adults.crumbs. The most common mistakes that moms and dads make when buying the first models for babies are as follows:

• buy new shoes. This is a very common practice among relatives and friends: to wear boots, sandals or boots for older children. But during wear, the sole gets trampled, and if the child who wore the product first has deformed feet, in a healthy baby, the leg automatically becomes incorrect, repeating the curves of the used model;
• buy in bulk. Many parents pick up a new thing for several seasons at once. Doctors oppose this, because in too loose shoes the leg is not clearly fixed, the load on the ankles increases, which can lead to deformation;
  

  The same goes for wearing tight shoes.

• choose products from non-natural materials. Feet do not breathe, sweat, freeze. Due to the lack of breathability, bacteria quickly multiply inside the shoe;
• pay attention only to the appearance. Undoubtedly, beautiful shoes look spectacular, but it is wrong to consider only this criterion. In many cases, the original models do not have a rigid heel counter or are too tight. Before buying, you must carefully study the product.

Possible problems for a child when choosing the wrong shoes

Many mothers and fathers are faced with defects in the formation of the foot in their child. The diagnosis is made only by a specialist after the examination. In order to detect the disease in time, it is necessary to undergo scheduled examinations with the baby by an orthopedic doctor.

On their own, parents notice any changes in the formation of the baby's foot quite late, when the disease progresses. And the doctor at an early stage will determine the degree of violations and prescribe effective treatment in each case.

Is it possible to develop flat feet

This problem is one of the most common. The fact is that as the child grows up, he masters walking skills, the load on the feet increases. Gradually they acquire the necessary bend. The baby should train his legs: walk on uneven surfaces barefoot and shod. To create conditions for the normal formation of bones, doctors advise purchasing products with a small heel, and there should be an arch support on the insole. If all these conditions are met, with a high degree of probability, the baby will not encounter flat feet.

But orthopedists warn that even if the little one constantly walks in the right preventive shoes and barefoot, but only on a perfectly flat surface, the likelihood of developing flat feet increases many times over. Without leg training, there will be no positive effect.

Parents should motivate the baby, play with him, engage in physical activity and buy the right shoes to prevent the development of flat feet.

If the doctor has given the child such a diagnosis, he develops a treatment regimen. It includes exercises, massage and special insoles that are made to order and put into regular preventive shoes (and in some cases orthopedic models are recommended for constant wear for several years). Subject to the advice of an orthopedist, by adolescence, the bend acquires the correct shape.

There is such a thing as congenital flat feet. In this case, the baby is already born with an irregular shape of the foot, and it will not change as it grows up. Such babies are shown medical individual orthopedic shoes for life. Or the doctor decides on the advisability of surgical intervention.

Video: children's shoes and flat feet

The baby walks on toes without stepping on a full foot

Parents are looking forward to the moment when the baby takes his first steps. And this day has come. But adults often notice that the baby is standing on his toes, not leaning on the entire foot. The reasons can be very different: perhaps the boy or girl does not like the cold floor, or it is a neurological, orthopedic problem.

To determine why the child began to walk that way, only a specialist can. Do not self-diagnose, this will lead to incorrect treatment and wasted time.

If the neurologist, having examined the baby, concluded that in his part the health of the little one is in perfect order, then this situation is solved by choosing the right shoes. As a rule, the orthopedist will explain which model of the first shoes you need to purchase. The main thing is that they should be made of natural materials, with a solid back and fix the ankle well. But the main point is a hard sole, because in such shoesthe child will not physically be able to rise on his toes, but will be forced to step on the entire foot. Often, doctors advise parents that the baby walks at home in such shoes for at least two to three hours a day.

Valgus and varus deformity of the feet

It is also a very common problem in young children. There are several reasons, from a lack of calcium, which leads to bone deformity, to wearing the wrong shoes from the first steps. Experts warn that if measures are not taken in time to correct the situation, deterioration can lead to disability. In such cases, exercises and special shoes will not help. There is an option for surgical intervention, but the operation will not give a 100% result.

In many cases, children with hallux valgus or varus deformity need to wear custom-made shoes.

With hallux valgus, the baby walks, leaning on the inner arches of the feet. If you look at his legs, then visually they resemble the letter X. The consequence of treatment not started on time is often the development of flat feet. What shoes to choose for the crumbs, only the orthopedist decides:

• if the valgus is at the initial stage, prophylactic models with a hard back, a sole with a Thomas heel and an insole with arch support are enough. In addition, the doctor will tell you what exercises to perform and whether an orthopedic mat is needed;
• with a pronounced deformation of the feet, the baby is prescribed medical shoes, which will be made to order for the crumbs.

With varus deformity, the situation is the opposite: the baby walks, leaning on the external arches. Visually, it looks like clubfoot, and the legs resemble the letter O. The shoe model also depends on the degree of the disease. On sale there are special preventive anti-varus boots, sandals and shoes. They differ from the usual ones in that there is no arch support on the insole so that the baby leans on the entire foot while walking. But with a large degree of deformation, the doctor will prescribe treatment models.

Doctors around the world insist that the normal physical development of the child depends on the selection of the right shoes. If a baby has deformity from an early age, in the future this can lead to a change in gait, problems with the spine and the entire musculoskeletal system. Orthopedists and pediatricians say that you don’t need to save on shoes, sandals or boots, especially when it comes to products for the first steps of the crumbs. He is just learning to walk upright, and in the right shoes he will put his foot in the right way, which significantly reduces the risk of developing problems with the formation of the feet.

Ekaterina Rakitina

Dr. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Klinikum, Germany

Reading time: 8 minutes

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Article last updated: 04/25/2019

When can a child put on his first shoes

Many parents are concerned about when to put on their baby's first shoes. Experts are divided in opinion, because all children are different, each child has his own individual approach. But most doctors agree on one thing, that it makes no sense to pull the baby's leg down until six months. Maximum comfortable socks or loose booties. No hard fixes. And the fabric should be natural.

Before the next purchase for a child, think about the function that this thing carries. Any footwear, first of all, serves as protection. Why would he wear it if he can't walk yet?

Before buying shoes, consult with an orthopedist. He will advise what kind of shoes you should buy and when to wear them on a crumb.

Some experts believe that it is necessary to put on a baby's shoes when he gets on his feet, others argue that this can be done only after the first steps. It all depends on the development of the foot. If the child has certain problems, most likely, the doctor will recommend putting on shoes as soon as he began to stand on his feet. But mostly at home, children should be barefoot. After all, the baby just went, he needs to feel his fingers and feet. It is desirable that nothing interfere with this process. There must be freedom of action.

And on the street, he will need protection from unexpected troubles. The kid will be eager to explore the world around him, because sitting in a stroller is no longer interesting.

What shoes to prefer

Many stores and Internet sites are full of advertisements for children's sandals and boots. Something was left in the bins of grandmothers from older grandchildren, offers from friends may also come to bring her daughter's shoes. Do not rush to agree. It is important to approach the choice of the first shoes for the little one with all responsibility.

The main rule - do not let the child wear shoes for older relatives. It has already formed and trampled under their foot, why should your baby sculpt a foot under someone else's standard? The first shoes must be new.

• Material
• Sole
• Insole
• Size
• Rigidity
• toe

Material

Stop the choice only on natural materials. The leg must be provided with good air exchange so as not to get sick in the future. If these are winter boots, only natural fur is allowed inside. No rough seams and bumps inside, so as not to fill the calluses on tiny legs.

Sole

The ease of movement depends largely on the sole. It should not be too thick and flexible enough, especially at the base of the thumb. It's a kind of shock absorber. It is also not allowed to make the toe part from coarse fabrics. At the top, the sandals should also perfectly take the shape of the foot when walking and return to their original position.

Insole

For this element, the anatomical shape is important, as shown in the photo. With or without an instep support, the doctor decides. But the insole corrects the heel of the child when walking. Therefore, discuss this point with a good orthopedic surgeon.

Size

Most parents try to buy shoes for their children. And this is a gross mistake. In this case, the wrong formation of the foot occurs, it is not fixed in any way in sandals 3 sizes larger, even orthopedic ones.

The child's foot should not dangle in shoes, a strong fixation is necessary for the correct development of fragile joints. But back-to-back shoes should not be bought either.

The best choice for a baby shoe is 0.5–1.5 cm larger than his own foot. At the same time, 1.5 cm for winter shoes. For sandals, this value does not exceed 1 cm.

It is at such values ​​that the child's heel will be securely fixed, and he will not freeze, stuffing himself with calluses.

Rigidity

A very important parameter. Healthy children still need shoes that are supportive and of the right shape to ensure the development of the foot in the right direction. Therefore, soft tissue products are not suitable. A clear fixation in the heel area and above is important, this is ensured by the rigidity and height of the back of the boot. The leg must be securely fastened. Also, a good fixation of the legs is necessary at the top of the shoes. When buying, give a choice in favor of models that fasten with Velcro or tied with laces on top, and not on the side of the product. So you can adjust the mount yourself.

toe

Choose shoes with a wide toe. So, the baby's fingers will be in a free position, not clamped by anything. It is better that the sandals are closed, this will help to avoid injuries and give the child great joy and freedom of movement.

How to make the right choice