When Should I Start Putting My Child in Shoes?

At one time, it was a commonly held belief that parents should put their babies in shoes shortly after birth. The thinking was that the footwear helped their feet develop.

Actually, though, shoes’ only role is to protect feet. For babies who aren’t walking — and kids who spend a lot of time playing on soft surfaces — they aren’t necessary. In fact, the wrong pair of shoes can cause problems.  

The right time to start putting your child in shoes, and the type of shoes to put on them, depends on your child. Our team at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist can help you monitor their foot development and walking progress to decide when it’s time to introduce footwear. As experts in children’s foot care, Christopher Vittori, DPM, and Ameet Thakrar, DPM, work with your family to support the development of your child’s feet. You can see us at whichever of our offices is more convenient for you: in Homer Glen or New Lenox, Illinois.

Supporting the foot’s development

Most babies are born with flat feet — it takes years for them to develop arches. Similarly, you might notice that as your child learns to walk, they turn their feet inward. This isn’t anything to worry about. It indicates that the muscles and ligaments in their legs, ankles, and feet are still developing.

To support that development, they rely on sensory information. The contact that your child’s foot makes with the ground helps their muscles get stronger and their ligaments stiffen. 

As a result, putting them in shoes too early — particularly ones with hard soles — can interfere with their development. Before your child starts walking, they don’t need shoes at all. 

Once they get mobile, choose shoes with a flexible and non-slip sole. This way, the shoe protects their feet and prevents slips, but still allows their feet to feel and function like they should.

As your baby starts taking their first steps, come see Dr. Thakrar or Dr. Vittori. They can help you decide when it’s right to introduce shoes, and the right type and size for your child’s foot.  

Keeping up with your child’s growth

As your child gets better at walking and their foot continues developing, you can introduce harder-soled shoes. Dr. Vittori and Dr. Thakrar help you decide when it’s right to progress into different types of shoes.

We also help you keep your child in well-fitting shoes. Since children’s feet grow quickly, it’s important to regularly check their footwear. They might need new shoes every few months, but that’s a worthy investment. Shoes that are too tight can interfere with their walking, plus cause foot problems like blisters and ingrown toenails. 

For help deciding when your child should start wearing shoes, and when to progress them to harder-soled footwear, come see our team of specialists. Call us at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist, or schedule an appointment online today.