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Your Questions Answered

When should my baby start wearing shoes?

When your baby is trying to crawl or bottom shuffle unaided, lightweight, flexible fitted shoes may aid grip to assist their walking development. Correctly fitting shoes let feet develop naturally, so getting their feet measured by trained shoe fitters, like us, is important.

How can I keep my baby’s feet healthy?

We recommend measuring your baby’s feet regularly to make sure you’re buying the right shoes for the right stage. This will ensure your baby has the correct support for their development. Daily care should include washing and drying their feet, whilst toenails should be trimmed often. Choosing socks made from natural fibres will help keep their little feet cool. All our walking shoes are made with breathable materials to ensure all-day freshness.

Should my baby wear shoes when they’re learning to walk?

It is best to allow your child to go barefoot as often as possible in the early stages of walking. This allows the feet to breathe and to feel the floor for stability. However, make sure there are no sharp objects that might cause injury and pop some shoes on when they’re walking outside or in public places.

What is the difference between cruising and walking?

Cruising is the stage between crawling and walking when your baby is bracing themselves to take their first steps. You might find they’ll use the sofa to pull themselves up onto their feet or hold the coffee table to take small steps. Our cruising shoes will provide the support they need to eventually start taking those first wobbly steps.

Does my toddler have flat feet?

Toddlers don’t have a visible arch in their foot like older children and adults. Instead, at this stage, there’s soft tissue in this area to protect the growing bones. This, combined with the posture babies adopt when they first walk, gives the appearance of a stompy flat foot, but they’ll usually adapt a more adult walking style by the time they start school. However, if you are concerned, there’s no harm in checking in with your GP.

When will my child’s feet stop growing?

Once your child reaches school age, it will slow to about one size per year. All feet stop growing at different times, but by the age of 10, most girls have completed 90 percent of foot growth. A boy completes about 80 percent of his foot growth by the time he is ten years old. The feet have stopped growing for most girls at age 14. Foot growth stops for boys when they reach 16.

How often should I replace my child’s shoes?

This depends on things like wear and tear, but most importantly it’s about fit. Your baby’s feet grow on average three sizes in their first year, then two sizes until they start school, and one size until they’re in their late teens. But, of course, every child is different, so it’s important to get their shoes checked and feet measured regularly by trained fitters.

Does my child need insoles?

Insoles for kids are usually used to help correct issues with posture or foot development. So, they should only be used if recommended by a foot-health professional (Podiatrist). If your child is tripping or falling more than usual, or complaining of tired/painful legs, it’s best to get them checked out by your GP or Podiatrist.

My child has knock-knees, what should I do?

This is very common in young children and usually nothing to worry about. It should resolve itself by the age of 7. However, if you notice your child’s feet adapting to this by rolling inwards, known as pronating, you should speak to your GP who can give advice to help ensure this doesn’t become a long-term issue.

Is it normal that my child’s feet turn inward?

This is very common in young children as the developing leg and ankle bones cause the feet to rotate inwards. Their feet will usually align properly by the age of 7. However, if you’re concerned and find their walking style is not improving, visit your GP or Podiatrist.

Why is it important to measure my child’s feet?

Your baby’s feet grow on average three sizes in their first year, then two sizes until they start school, and one size until they’re in their late teens. But, of course, every child is different, so it’s important to get their shoes checked and feet measured regularly by trained fitters.

How quickly do my child’s feet grow?

Kids’ feet grow very quickly. During their first three or four years, they can grow as much as two whole shoe sizes each year. By school age, this slows to about one whole size each year. Have your child's feet checked regularly to ensure they always have a shoe that fits properly and that this period of rapid growth progresses normally.