stride rite has just introduced a new line of baby shoes that utilize
Sensory Response Technology to optimize the biomechanics of tot feet to allow them to develop a healthy and natural gait during the critical learning-to-walk period. I recently went to an event where
Dr. Tanya Remer Altmann, a leading pediatrician, introduced the shoe collection and shared some very interesting facts about toddler feet!
See below for some useful insights!
- Tots don't usually tell moms that their feet hurt -- it's not until they have blisters and redness that moms will often discover that there is a shoe-fit problem.
- Moms often think their little ones feet smell and are perplexed by all the sweating, but in fact toddler feet sweat twice as much as adult feet. Therefore it's critical that your little ones wear breathable shoes.
- From ages 1-10, a child's foot grows around 6 inches, nearly 1.5 times the size they
were at birth! This is why children need new shoes every 2-3 months until about age
3, then every 6 months after that.
- Children need to feel the ground beneath them for proper development. Gripping the ground with their toes and distributing weight appropriately allows them to maintain a balance and establish a positive walking pattern.
- Shoes that do not fit properly in childhood can contribute to poor foot development, which can lead to bone, back and muscle problems later in life.
- Babies feet hit the ground with more force (proportionately) than an adult, which is
why it is critical that baby's shoes cushion and protect the feet.
- 80% of foot growth takes place between the heel and the ball of the foot. When
sizing baby's foot, it's important to measure the widest part of the foot to ensure
they have enough width.
- A child's foot development can be compromised by tight socks, shoes, sleepers, and
bedclothes. Healthy foot development requires a little wiggle room at all times.
- Handing down shoes from one child to another is not recommended because baby shoes,
particularly those made of leather, form to a child's foot when they are worn for a
while.
Jump for a visual on how Sensory Response Technology tackles some of these issues!
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