Turning small steps into giant leaps

Posted by writer on August 30th, 2009 at 12:29pm

When one considers that an adult will walk approximately 185 000 kilometres in an average lifetime, it’s as important to choose the right baby shoes at the outset as it is to choose the right hiking boots.
The foot is a surprisingly complex part of the body, made up of 26 bones and 35 joints, with lots of ligaments supporting the structure.A baby will only have 22 bones in his or her foot, and will develop the rest during the early childhood years.A baby’s foot bones are made from pliable, soft cartilage and are more prone to damage, and therefore their baby shoes need to provide appropriate protection.
Babies start walking anytime between eight and 18 months, with a new walker estimated to take around 170 steps a minute.  Now that’s a lot of walking for a little person – so the kid’s shoes had better fit properly and be comfy!
Just how does one go about choosing the right baby shoes ?
Kids’ shoes should always be soft and should bend easily.    The best material is leather, and if you’re looking for the softest, most comfortable kids’ shoes, look no further than hand-crafted footwear from See Kai Run which has butter-soft sheepskin leather uppers and flexible rubber soles.  
See Kai Run is an American children’s shoe manufacturer which meets stringent international health and functionality standards, carrying the prestigious seal of approval from the American Podiatric Medical Association. If you’re in Australia or New Zealand, then all it takes for you to get your hands on See Kai Run’s stylish children’s shoes using their new dedicated website, is one or two easy… steps !
The ideal fit is one that offers comfort and support, but kids’ shoes should not constrict the foot or feel tight.A one or two centimetre space between the end of the shoe and the toes is recommended.Shoes may need to be replaced fairly often as kids’ feet grow quickly and it is important to make sure that the two centimetre gap is maintained.Incorrectly fitted shoes in children can lead to foot problems. 
It is also important to ensure that the child’s foot doesn’t slip in the shoe, which could damage toes and heels.When you’re buying sandals, look for ones which have a secure strap over the instep and if it’s closed shoes you’re after, they should have soft collars to support the foot.
Soles should be flat, with flexibility where the ball of the foot rests. The inner edge of kids’ shoes should be as straight as possible to support the foot, and the heel cup should be firm and fit snugly. 
The toe of the shoe should be round, not tapered, in order to allow the toes to move around. 
See Kai Run has three different ranges of kids’ shoes, one for babies up to 18 months, the second for younger kids from 3 – 8 years and one for kids up to 11. 
When children reach their late teens, between 16 and 18 years old, their feet will be fully developed.Choosing the best children’s shoes from the outset will help grow little baby steps into healthy adult strides.

Tags: baby shoes, children's shoes, footwear, kids shoes, toddler shoes

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