There is a lot to consider when buying shoes for your child. Whether it is their first shoes or a change of shoes, a good fit and comfort are important.
Your child does not need supportive shoes until they are walking. Before they walk, being barefoot is best to help strengthen the muscles in their feet. You can use socks or soft shoes to keep your child’s feet warm in the colder months.
Your toddler's first shoes
Your child is ready to wear shoes when they have been walking for 4 to 6 weeks. There is no exact timeline for this. Every child is different.
Always get your child’s feet measured by a trained shoe fitter before buying them new shoes.
Choosing shoes for your child
When choosing your child's shoes, look closely at their feet as they walk in the shoes.
Make sure that:
- they are wearing socks or tights that are the right size
- the shoe is not slipping up and down at the heel
- their foot is not being pushed out of the shoe at the back
- they can wiggle their toes
- there is about 1cm of space between the toes and the tip of the shoe
You do not have to buy expensive shoes. Cheaper options are often just as good. Choose footwear that is made of breathable materials such as leather, canvas or a breathable fabric that is waterproof.
Rubber wellington boots are not breathable. But they are perfect for short periods of splashing in puddles and walking in mud.
Your child’s shoe size
When checking your child’s shoes, there should be about 1cm of space between the toes and the tip of the shoe.
If shoes are too tight, the toes will not have enough space. This may stop the foot from growing correctly.
What kind of shoes to get
Choose shoes that are comfortable and support your child’s feet.
Choose supportive and flexible shoes
Your child needs shoes that will support their feet. Check that the area at the back of the shoe that cups the heel is firm and does not collapse. You can check this by pressing your thumb on it.
The front of the shoe must be flexible, so that your child’s foot can bend. If you can twist the sole easily, the shoe is too flexible.
Sandals should have an enclosed heel.
Check the shape of the shoes
Make sure that the front of your child’s shoes are wider than at the heel. This is especially important if your child has wide feet.
Shoes you should avoid
Some shoes are not suitable for children as they do not provide enough support and may cause accidents.
Shoes to avoid include:
- very flat slip-on shoes such as ballet flats
- shoes with little grip - your child is more likely to slip and fall if the sole is smooth
- high-heeled shoes - a heel should be no more than 4cm, or 2cm if your child is under 5
- shoes with pointy toes as these can make it harder for their toes to move
- sheepskin-type boots
- rubber clogs and jelly clogs
- shoes your child needs to 'break in' - this means they are not designed or properly fitted for your child’s feet
Choose shoes with laces, buckles or other fasteners
Chose shoes with laces, buckles or other types of fasteners that help hold the heel in place while your child moves.
Get your child to tie their laces if they wear lace-up shoes or runners.
Slip-on shoes or shoes that do not have an enclosed heel can cause your child to clench their toes to keep the shoe on. This can cause pain when they walk a lot.
When to get the next shoes
Check your child’s shoes regularly to make sure their toes have room to move. Getting their next pair of shoes will depend on how quickly your child's feet grow.
