Tips for Buying Children's Shoes

With the start of the new school year in our midst, many families with children are facing a familiar scene – taking the kids shopping for new shoes. While it’s necessary to consider that children are still growing, finding shoes that fit a child’s feet well is equally important. Parents should plan shoe shopping trips for later in the day because the feet tend to swell, or become slightly larger, as the day goes on. When kids are trying on shoes, parents should ensure that there’s space between the end of the shoe and the longest toe. Checking a shoe’s width is also important and will help ensure that toes are not crammed along the side of the shoe. A shoe’s depth is another thing to consider; make sure the child’s feet are not bulging and fit comfortably within the shoe. After checking the width, length, and depth, parents should have their children walk around in the shoes and observe how they walk with the shoes on. If you have any questions about shoes for your children, consult with your podiatrist.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact one of our podiatrists of Canonsburg Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Canonsburg and McMurray, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.