The choice of spring children's shoes should be approached with all seriousness, since it is in the spring that children most often get sick due to frozen feet, socks wet from puddles, and improperly selected shoes.
Undoubtedly, children's shoes for early and late spring will be different. But there is one thing that unites spring shoes: they must be waterproof! In early spring, these shoes are designed to protect children's feet from melting snow, and later from puddles and torrential rains. How do you know that this particular shoe is waterproof? First of all, you should pay attention to how the sole is attached to the upper of the shoe.
The glue-stitched sole is in most cases not suitable for wearing in the spring, since very often water gets into the shoe through the thread seam. The second method - glue - is the most common. However, for walking through slush and puddles, such shoes are suitable only if the sole is at least one and a half centimeters thick. For wet weather, the most suitable shoe is considered to be the one whose sole is attached by an adhesive-molded method. In other words, the sole is "molded" directly to the top of the shoe.
In order to increase the water-repellent properties of the materials from which the shoes are made, special water-repellent sprays and creams should be used. Remember, however, that they should be applied to the shoes in the evening, not in the morning, before leaving the house.
Now let's turn to the types of shoes themselves. Naturally, for early spring, the best option is leather winter boots or boots with natural fur, which the child wore in winter. The only addition is that if the air temperature has exceeded zero, then a thin sock should be put on the leg, otherwise the child will be hot. Well, again, the high sole is a big plus, since the leather itself allows water to pass through. Alternatively, these can be boots made of unnatural materials - they do not allow water to pass through, but children's feet do not breathe in them, they sweat, and then freeze. So close to a cold.
The best option for spring is membrane shoes, but they cost decently. In addition, such shoes need to be regularly looked after, restoring their properties with the help of a special impregnation. The membrane performs an excellent function - it maintains the temperature inside the shoe at about 31 degrees. Therefore, the baby's foot does not overheat. And, what is very important, such shoes never get wet.
For early spring, shoes like snowboots are also recommended. They are warm multi-layered boots that have a felt insert-"stocking". A special metallized foil that can reflect cold acts as a heater. Snowboards do not get wet, but if there is no frost outside, then it is better to put them on without a "stocking" - it can be easily removed. Thus, it is an economical option because snowboots are ideal for cold, frosty winters and early spring.
As soon as it gets warmer, the child will need leather boots without insulation. For dry weather, you can also purchase a suede version. It can also be textile boots and combinations of several materials. Today these models are very popular. Boots and ankle boots are with Velcro, laces and with a zipper. Where to stop the choice is your right, but we would recommend boots with lace-ups and zippers or with Velcro and zippers.
Well, and, perhaps, the most common option is rubber boots. They are produced today by almost all popular manufacturers of children's shoes. In rubber boots, you can measure the deepest puddles, but they also have one drawback - they cannot be worn for a long time. The fact is that the legs soar in them, and rubber is not very good for children's feet, so they should be bought only for children from 3 years old and worn only if necessary - in the country, or if the child just wants to walk through the puddles. In addition, today rubber boots are one of the most colorful and vibrant among children's shoes. But they must necessarily have a heater insert and a thick sole. When choosing children's boots, it is better to pay attention not to nameless Chinese products, but to.
Spring has come, which differs from springs in other cities in the excessive amount of dirt and moisture underfoot. We love spring, winds of change, fresh smells, new ideas ... but, unfortunately, since March, wet feet have been added to this list. What does waterproof footwear look like, where does it grow and what is it called? However, this is just known: only rubber boots do not get wet. Everything else has to be checked and rechecked, learning from mistakes and gathering opinions.
Let's recall the basic rules for choosing shoes for a child:
Mothers know: it is easier to put on a tuxedo on an octopus than to try on new shoes for a small child who does not want to try them on. To buy shoes without the presence of a child, you can circle his leg on a cardboard box, and in a store, pull out the insoles and painstakingly compare. Important: we only circle the leg of a standing child! Not lying or sitting. When standing, the leg becomes larger, this is the real size. If the shoes do not fit, you can exchange them at the store (by law - without a receipt) within two weeks - or collect the money. Instead of cardboard, you can bring the insole from the shoes that the child is currently wearing. New shoes should be 1.5 cm longer than the leg.
Up to three years old, children's shoes must have a solid heel counter: check it out! Very often it is in demi-season shoes that a soft heel is found. Velcro straps hold the leg better than laces.
Let's talk about getting wet as the main spring feature.
Advised by Irina ZAGRANICHNOVA, a leading footwear expert at the Center for Independent Consumer Expertise (St. Petersburg). Looking for waterproof shoes? Then pay attention to the method of attaching the sole to the upper of the shoe. After all, it is the joint between the sole and the upper of the shoe is the most vulnerable place for moisture.
1. Glue-stitching method of fixing the soles and puddles- things are incompatible. No matter how firmly the sole is glued, through the thread seam - and it is sewn along the side along the entire perimeter - the water will find the hole. Experts are most often faced with complaints about the wetness of just such shoes. It attracts customers very much - it is comfortable, warm and thanks to the stitched seam with a great design. However, it is not intended for wet weather.
2. Adhesive attachment method - when the sole is simply glued to the upper of the shoe- occurs most often. It provides a sufficiently high tightness. But for wet weather it is suitable only if the sole is thick - from one and a half centimeters. The thicker the sole, the more likely the shoe will not get wet. It is even safer if the sole has a high side. But the thin and flat - without a side - the sole with this method of fastening in wet weather is unlikely to save your feet from getting wet. And walking in puddles is completely contraindicated.
3. Glue-injection method of fastening- the most optimal for wet weather. It is also called the liquid molding method. This is when the top of the shoe is first made at the factory, and then it is lowered into a special mold, which "molds" the sole directly onto the shoe. The tightness is excellent.
This is important: if the shoes are made using waterproof technology, the label must have an indication: Waterproof. Do not forget that demi-season shoes need anxious care, and you should take care of them - with the help of water-repellent sprays or creams - in the evenings, and not before going out. Membrane shoes are rinsed under the tap; occasionally it is necessary to restore their properties using a special impregnation.
(www.izvestia.ru)
Up to a temperature of +5, winter leather or textile shoes are suitable for a child who is not walking or walking in a stroller. Budget option: leather boots with natural fur. "Minus" - in these shoes the feet can sweat, and if the child is already walking in the puddles, the boots will get wet. Leather shoes are water permeable. Leatherette shoes do not get wet, but they do not "breathe" either. For the spring, the baby will need two pairs of shoes: winter - and leather boots. If the cold weather lingered, you can buy leather boots without insulation with a zipper ("Antelope", "Flamingo", etc.).
Spring shoes for children from a year
Many mothers ask: is there any point in buying a year old membrane shoes if he does not walk too much. It all depends on your financial capabilities, the membrane is not cheap. Specifically on the question: even a low-walking child spends a lot of heat and energy, for small children walking is a great work. Therefore, it is unlikely to freeze in a winter membrane with felt insulation. Do not be intimidated by the thin woolen lining: this is a real felt boot, boiled wool. As for the shoes for older children, we return to the practicality of the membrane: it can be worn for three seasons: from late autumn to early spring. This is the answer to the question of why spend big money on Ekko or Ricosta: in fact, you buy two boots in one - both winter and demi-season. The membrane uses TMV (high-tech materials), it is light, which is important for an active child, it does not get wet.
"Cons" of membrane shoes: a suspicious mother may think that the child is freezing in her (see the section "membrane shoes"), as well as a lack of versatility - tights and socks should be with synthetics. Also, many mothers are afraid to shell out money for an expensive membrane in the spring - it is not yet known how the leg will grow before the fall. You can pay attention to domestic manufacturers, Polish and Finnish: online stores offer membrane footwear from companies in Europe and Scandinavia at affordable prices (no more than 1-1.5 thousand). These are companies such as FinTex, Dei Tex, Impidimpi, Jela, Ten Tex other.
What other options are there for demi-season shoes?
Leather boots with insulation (felt, bike), combined shoes made of rubber, textiles or Bologna. Leather shoes are very warm, windproof, breathable. But she leaks water. Shoes made of rubber or Bologna do not get wet at all, but they create the effect of a bag: the leg sweats. When choosing leather shoes, buy models with high soles and without a thread seam around the perimeter of the fastening (adhesive fastening). Shoes should not be tight, otherwise the leather will stretch and lose moisture resistance. Also, for a child from one and a half to two years old, snowboards are suitable for spring walks.
FOOTWEAR FOR EARLY SPRING
Membrane shoes
The best membrane at the moment is recognized GORE-TEX... This is a rather expensive material; gortex shoes cannot be cheap. Cheaper membrane - Sympatex, people say that its owners once could not buy a license from GORE-TEX- and made their own membrane. It is also considered to be of high quality, but it is inferior in some characteristics - athletes and hikers claim that shoes and clothes on sympathex breathe worse and get wet more often. All membrane shoes are declared by manufacturers as waterproof: the upper materials and special impregnations save the membrane from the direct pressure of water.
This is important: the membrane allows you to maintain the temperature inside the shoe at 31 degrees. Therefore, the legs of the child after a walk are cool to the touch - this does not mean that they are frozen! The fact is that when walking, and especially running, the leg overheats, and this is harmful. The membrane maintains a constant temperature.
Membrane shoes are produced by the following companies:
ANTELOPE (Russia). Genuine leather / textile, self-developed @ -Tex membrane, sizes only from 28th.
Reviews: “We will wear it for the third season, they don’t get wet at all, it’s convenient for a child to wear, wear-resistant - super, minus - heavy, but tolerable. We wear from -5 to +10. "
ZEBRA (Russia). Textile. Uses microporous membranes SPIRA-TEX (Italy) and KING-TEX (Taiwan).
Reviews: “I did not understand these boots. Very heavy, the child's feet were sweating in them "," Wet, splashed, of course, did not come, but there were wet-cool feet. I am inclined nevertheless to the fact that the Zebra needs improvement "," The outsole is a good high tread, it does not get wet, but it glides. The membrane, well, apparently like all membranes, does not freeze only when moving. The boots themselves are lightweight, with a comfortable tightening - Nastena can handle herself. " Membrane Zebra. For a year I did not understand whether she was good or not. Feet in it freeze at minus, dryness - we come now dry, sometimes wet splashed. " “My son wore these in the fall. Very comfortable, lightweight, warm, do not get wet. Up to -5 was quite good in them. "
COTOFEY (Russia). Genuine leather / textile, membrane - TEX, sizes from 23rd.
Reviews: “Yesterday we tried it on the dirt, rinsed it at home under the tap, as new steel does not get wet, lightweight. Membrane".
JUMP, "Smeshariki" (Russia). King-tex membrane, textile / genuine leather / PVC, lining / insole: fleece, Waterproof. From size 24.
Reviews: "Membrane boots" Jump "from the series" Smeshariki "- bought, of course, for cartoon heroes at your own peril and risk, they did not lose everything perfectly!", "I will join: excellent Smesharikov boots. We went to -15 in the winter. If it's colder - then boots. And now we walk in dampness: until we get wet ”.
BAGIRA (Romania). Material: G. T-TEX membrane, sole: PVC, no instep support on the insole.
SUPERFIT (Austria). Protective textile, GORE-TEX membrane + wool, outsole: TPE, insole: active cushion (simulates walking barefoot).
Reviews: “They did not get wet, did not require socks, they always warmed up. Wonderful boots ”,“ Superfits with gortex (while wearing winter ones) - feet are dry, although they won't crawl out of puddles and mash ”.
ROMIKA (Germany). Waterproof technology, Romi-Tex membrane.
Reviews: “Very warm, the membrane works as it should! And you can also wash it in a washing machine (it was written on the packaging, but I still did not dare ... the membrane is the same). Just do not forget to regularly spray with a waterproof spray for the membrane and that's it! " Although I wear it on ordinary thin tights. Well, the main plus of Romika for me is that they are weightless. For what we had superfits easy, but these are generally fluffs ”.
RICOSTA (Germany). Nubuck, Sympatex membrane.
Reviews: “We walk in ricoste all winter, we don't really run on the street, usually we just go somewhere, our legs are always warm. Now we are walking without a sock, ordinary Polish tights, yesterday we walked for three hours, almost didn’t run, our feet were warm ”. “Rikosta - we seem to be wearing it without any complaints. I also noticed that the ricosta is warmer than the ekko (let them throw tomatoes at me), apparently because of this fake fur inside "," Ricosta! I am very satisfied, excellent boots, namely autumn-spring boots, not winter ones, also with sympathies, but the quality is completely different ”,“ Satisfied, they didn’t get wet, although we walk through the puddles as a specialist. ”
MINIMEN (Turkey). Nubuck / textile, Gore-tex membrane. Refers to special orthopedic shoes.
Reviews: “We have been buying Minimen for a long time. They have pluses: the instep support is high, wide and the instep is high (if needed), rubber sole, hard heel, nice design, paint lasts a long time, minus one for someone maybe. significant is the price. "
ECCO (Denmark). Textile / leather, Gore-tex membrane.
Reviews: “There were Ekko. och. liked the slush just. the only perceptible disadvantage besides the price is slippery "," The most controversial shoes of all, they get wet from all our friends, and the forum constantly says that the quality has deteriorated at Ekko "," Ekko get wet easily! "," We try to buy only EKCOs. It turns out a little expensive, but they are worth it - for several years the socks never shrink from salt, do not change their appearance, noses do not rub, do not get wet "," The quality of ECCO is felt ... really the shoes did not get wet, even when the child was in huge puddles came in, the water seemed to roll off them ... "," The state at the end of spring was close to ideal - the sole was not worn out, the noses were like new. They do not get wet, lightweight, comfortable "," Ekko worn disgustingly, the child's feet got wet in the scantiest rain and wet snow. "
VIKING (Norway): Nubuck / textile, GORE-TEX membrane, outsole: natural rubber.
BARTEK (Poland). Nubuck, Sympatex membrane.
MERRELL (USA). Construction: Waterproof, Upper: Waterproof Nubuck / Waterproof Nylon, Lining: Fleece, Sole: Rubber. There are membrane models with Gore-Tex and Gore-Tex XCR.
Reviews: “We carry it at the moment, we haven’t tested it in mud yet, only because of dampness - they don’t get wet, although there is no“ traditional ”membrane there, there is only some kind of“ water protection ”. in general, warm, comfortable and dry. "
SKANDIA (Italy). Membrane materials: SympaTex and SKANDIATex, Waterproof construction.
Reviews: “We put our scandia on gortex on tights of 80% cotton, nothing wet, legs are warm. The child walks with his feet 50% of the time, the rest of the time he sits in the stroller "," The best shoes that we had! "
GEOX(Italy) Waterproof construction, "All-dry" and "GEOX" membrane, rubber outsole, upper material: leather / textile.
Reviews: “Feet are always wet! We rarely have dry weather. And if they don't get wet themselves, then the legs sweat a lot. And this does not depend on the time spent in these shoes "," I asked several mothers who bought Geox, so only one was satisfied with the shoes, and the rest were not very happy. It saves only that the leg grows quickly in children, and almost every season you need to buy new shoes "," I bought my child Geox textile + nubuck boots (pink with embroidery), got wet from the first day of wearing, at first I thought my leg was sweating, but empirically ( changed the geox insole to a winter one with foil) made sure that the problem is in the sole. "Snowboards
Waterproof warm multilayer boots with felt insert-"stocking". The role of insulation is played by a special metallized foil that reflects cold. Snowboats can withstand temperatures as low as -40, according to some manufacturers, with the elegant removal of the "stocking" they turn into spring waterproof bags. Snowboards are produced by our companies Kotofey, Zebra, and also Demar (Poland).
LATE SPRING SHOES
Boots and boots made of leather and other materials
When it becomes drier outside, children are put on wet shoes. Almost nothing threatens them - except perhaps the May Day snow and a few days after, when everyone crawls into winter shoes with a heavy sigh. We have such days in the summer. In April-May, boots and low shoes made of leather, textiles, suede and combined shoes made from a combination of different materials are worn. If you are in doubt whether a child will freeze in leather boots, buy leather antelope boots with zippers (Antelope, Flamingo), there are also insulated boots on a bike, but it has been verified that the foot is soared in them. Older children will wear sneakers instead of leather boots, these shoes are confidently returning to children's fashion. If earlier children's sneakers were purely Chinese or expensive options such as Adidas or Nike, now our manufacturers produce breathable sneakers in bright colors from high-quality artificial and textile materials (Kotofey, Smeshariki, Antelope, Zebra "Etc.)
Rubber boots
Rubber boots are not recommended for long walks: the leg is frankly steamed in them. Rubber itself is not a heating material, so it is necessary that there is a “toe” insert inside the boot. This footwear saves you when you can't go without rubber boots: hiking, going to the country, to nature. Orthopedists strongly advise against buying rubber boots for children under three years old, but in our reality there are situations when you cannot do without them. And spring is buried in mud, and not every family can afford to buy an expensive waterproof membrane. In this case, rubber boots come in handy. Modern boots made of rubber or, more often, PVC have an insole with an instep support. To choose rubber boots, determine if they are the same height, length, and width. If a light gray coating has appeared on the surface of the boot, it is better to choose another pair. If you find easily soiled spots on the lining and upper of your shoes, check to see if they stain your foot or socks. There should be no damage or dents on the outsole. The drawing on it must be clear. If it is lubricated, there is underfilling of the rubber or its increased softness. These shoes wear out quickly. The insoles should be made of polyurethane foam as felt very quickly get wet - the leg will freeze. Modern rubber boots look very attractive. These are no longer those brown or black boots of our youth, in which one is not ashamed only to go fishing. For children nowadays they offer a huge variety of colors and styles. Choose models with thicker soles - it will be warmer.
Rubber boots are produced by many of our firms: Antelope, Kauri, Kotofey: the "stocking" inside our boots is usually felt.
Demar (Poland) boots have fleece inside; Norwegian “Vikings” also have rubber boots. Rubber boots are rarely small, in most cases they start at 23-25 sizes.
A child's legs are completely different from an adult's. And if choosing shoes for adults is not difficult, choosing children's shoes, especially for a one-year-old child, seems to be a very difficult task. The right footwear is of great importance for toddlers. When children take their first steps in their life, it is very important for them to feel comfortable in their movements. By putting on the right shoes for a one-year-old child, parents can be sure that walking for their baby will become a favorite activity on which good health and proper physical development of the growing body depend.
Why does a child need to wear shoes?
Typically, babies start taking their first steps from the age of 8 months. As soon as the child has started to walk, he is advised to wear shoes. This is necessary in order for the baby's leg to form correctly and subsequently flat feet do not develop. It has been proven that walking barefoot or in socks does not provide confidence and fall protection for children, which cannot be said about wearing shoes or slippers.
The leg of a one-year-old child is plump and round. Muscles, tendons and joints have not yet formed, so it is very easy to injure or dislocate the legs when walking. But not every shoe is suitable for a baby at 1 year old. If you choose shoes that do not meet the necessary standards and conditions, then such shoes can harm children.
How to choose the right shoes for kids
The correct footwear should be comfortable for the child, therefore, before choosing shoes, it is necessary to take measurements from the baby's foot. We need the length of the foot and the fullness of the leg. The ideal option would be to do this: before you go for a new thing, first, at home, you need to cut out a cardboard copy of the child's leg, or rather, make a homemade shoe out of cardboard. Having come to the store with such a frame, you will never go wrong with the size and fullness of the foot in the chosen shoe.
in the photo: size ruler of shoes
For children, the width of the boots is of great importance. It is more convenient for them to wear reasonably spacious and comfortable shoes. For a child aged 8 or 10 months, these shoes will serve as an excellent support for the first steps. For a 1 year old child, comfortable shoes will help you learn to run and jump without causing pain in the joints of the legs and feet.
The correct footwear should never be purchased with a similar foot length. When walking, the leg tends to stretch and lengthen a little. Therefore, the size of the shoes should be about 1.5 cm longer than the size of the foot. In children aged 8-10 months, the feet can be of different sizes, this should be taken into account before buying, and measurements of both legs should be taken.
If possible, you should definitely take your baby with you to a shoe store. With him you can try on any shoes you like and not be mistaken in choosing them. If you do not have the opportunity to take the children with you to the store, then you should definitely agree with the seller about the possible exchange of the purchase for another appropriate one.
in the photo: a child tries on shoes
How to choose the right quality shoes
For children under 1 year old, proper footwear should only be made from natural materials. Artificial leather or oilcloth can cause discomfort: from such materials, the leg begins to sweat and steam. Ideal footwear for 1 year old babies, made of genuine leather or cotton. If you have to choose winter shoes, then the presence of natural fur is a prerequisite.
Genuine leather shoes are most preferred up to children aged 10 months and 1 year. When walking, the soft skin of the boots does not rub the child's foot and does not put pressure on the toes. Leather shoes do an excellent job with unfavorable weather conditions: in cold weather they create warmth, in warm weather leather shoes have an excellent exchange of air, and when suddenly wet, the skin will not let moisture inside. Over time, leather shoes are able to take a suitable shape under the child's feet.
Cloth footwear is recommended for babies aged 8-10 months. There are many natural materials: cotton, linen, jeans. Such shoes are similar in properties to leather shoes: they perfectly retain heat, are able to "breathe" and are comfortable to use. The only drawback in fabric shoes is that you cannot walk in puddles in them, at the slightest moisture ingress on the surface of fabric shoes, it will immediately crawl inside.
Valenki are recommended as an analogue of winter shoes. Such shoes are suitable for children aged 8-10 months, who spend most of their time on a walk sitting in a stroller or sled. For children at the age of 1 year, felt boots may not be convenient to use: many children find it uncomfortable to run in them, from which they begin to be capricious, and the walk can turn into "hard labor". Other children, at the age of 1 year, on the contrary, prefer to walk on soft snow in felt boots than in leather shoes. Therefore, the question is: what kind of winter shoes to buy? - individual.
Rubber boots can be purchased for a 1-year-old child. Currently, such shoes are made of synthetic rubber, which has the property of allowing air to pass through. The only condition when choosing rubber boots is the presence of a natural insole that does not allow moisture to pass through and warms the child's foot.
In order for the child's foot to form correctly, shoes should be purchased with an instep support. Children under one year old who do not walk alone on the street can buy shoes without an instep support. But the presence of a hard and high heel in any shoe is a prerequisite.
Orthopedic insoles
The use of orthopedic insoles for one-year-old children can be recommended by a pediatrician in case of improper formation of a child's foot. Such insoles are made to order; an individual orthopedic insole is made for each child. There are many specialized catalogs in which you can choose the most suitable option from a photo. Orthopedic insoles take the shape of the foot and eliminate the slightest defects in its correct formation. It has been proven that if a child under 5 years old does not form a foot correctly, then flat feet will become a chronic disease for life.
How to make your child's shoes become a favorite?
Currently, many tricks have been invented in clothes and shoes that kids really like. Any child, starting at 8-10 months of age, understands: he likes something, but he doesn't. So with shoes: some kids categorically refuse to put on slippers or sandals - they are more comfortable without them. In such cases, we recommend buying shoes on which various faces or animals are glued or sewn on. A child at 8 - 10 months will be intrigued and he will begin to put on interesting shoes for him.
In the photo: children's slippers with a bunny
Also, shoe models were invented, in which there is a springy sole. A kid at the age of 8-10 months will be very keen on such a game: they put on shoes in which you can jump softly and high!
in the photo: children's shoes with rubberized soles
There are also special scented insoles that attract the baby with their scent. These insoles are made from natural materials with natural fragrances that do not harm the health of the baby. "Delicious" slippers will become your child's favorite footwear!
For the first steps of the baby, many parents begin to prepare in advance. And, after hearing and reading articles about "terrible" flat feet and other problems that begin to "grow" together with a bipedal child, they wonder whether a son or daughter should buy special shoes "at the first step." The well-known pediatrician Yevgeny Komarovsky tells whether it is necessary to put on shoes for a child who is learning to walk, and what should be the first footwear of a toddler.
Do you need shoes?
Evgeny Komarovsky believes that a child may well learn to walk without shoes. Moreover, a person's foot is designed in such a way that he can move only barefoot. After all, no one is born with sandals or boots! From a natural approach point of view, no special footwear is required for the baby's first step.
But when the child learns to stomp on foot, he will have to slowly learn to wear shoes.
After all, he will not go barefoot to kindergarten, for a walk or in a clinic.
Parents should understand that the shoe does not correct anything, and the arch of the foot will usually be what it is genetically destined to be. Shoes do not affect the straightness or curvature of the legs, whether the baby learns to walk faster or slows down. Shoes only protect the feet from cold and mechanical stress, and nothing more. And it is necessary to treat it precisely from this position.
Barefoot or sandals?
All children, without exception, are born with flat feet, that is, 100% of babies have flat feet. The foot is formed as it grows and develops, and usually by the age of 12 it becomes clear whether there is flat feet or not. Dr. Yevgeny Komarovsky says that flat-footedness is often the fault of the parents themselves, because from childhood they taught the child to wear slippers at home, sandals on the street.
The risk of developing flat feet can be significantly reduced by allowing the child to walk barefoot more often. At home on the floor - it should always be, and slippers are harm. It is very good if the child has somewhere to run barefoot at least sometimes, except for his apartment.
It's great to release it with bare heels on the grass, on small stones, on asphalt, if you live in your own house and have a courtyard area. In the summer, on vacation in the village with his grandmother, the child is simply obliged to run barefoot. All this has a positive effect on the formation of the arch of the foot.
There is no need to fear hypothermia. Mom should not worry that a barefoot child who walks on the floor or on the ground will catch a cold. Legs are the only part of the human body, the vessels of which, when in contact with a cold surface, are able to constrict and thereby "save" heat and not release it into the environment. Walking barefoot is beneficial. And sitting on a cold one is absolutely impossible, because the vessels of a child's priests do not know how to narrow.
It is necessary to work on keeping the foot healthy from an early age.
Parents, according to Komarovsky, do not need to rush things and specially teach the child to walk. The unavailability of the musculoskeletal system, muscles and ligaments, as well as the spine and feet, especially in a plump toddler, can cause a variety of orthopedic problems. The child must take the first steps himself, without coercion from adults, and then when he is fully ready for this himself.
When are shoes needed?
Theoretically, a child starts to need shoes when he starts to go out of the house “to people”. All babies who begin to walk have an unsteady, wobbly gait, they do not have a developed push with their foot. This can be explained in part by the limited function of the child's ankle. From this point of view, it will be much more comfortable for the child to take more confident steps in high shoes that will fix and support the feet.
This does not mean that all parents of novice "tramps" should urgently run to the store for children's shoes with a high back and instep support. It is needed only for those babies who walk unstably, often fall, and solely in order to give them a little more stability and confidence. As soon as they get them, you can wear any shoe - with a low heel, with a soft heel, with anything, any model, as long as the baby is comfortable in it.
High and fixing shoes are needed, in theory, only for children under 3 years old. If it ceases to be needed earlier, it's okay.
Orthopedic shoes
A child needs orthopedic shoes when an orthopedic doctor detects certain problems in him, for example, valgus feet, club feet, etc. These diagnoses must be confirmed by X-ray studies. Only this gives the doctor the moral right to recommend the mother to buy orthopedic shoes.
It often has to be made to order, taking into account the angle of curvature of the foot in a particular child. These parameters will be indicated by the doctor, and in the orthopedic salon they will try to take into account all the doctor's prescriptions.
However, you can often see how the parents of a completely healthy child go to buy him orthopedic shoes, very heavy, scary, ugly and expensive, but "terribly useful." They do this for prophylactic purposes so that there is no “flat feet” and in order to avoid many other problems. And they often do it not on a whim, but because the doctor advised.
Komarovsky is sure that as long as doctors in polyclinics receive a certain percentage of the profits of orthopedic stores and salons, this practice exists and will continue to exist.
A healthy child who has not been given absolutely specific diagnoses requiring correction with the help of special medical shoes does not need orthopedic shoes!
Inherited boots
Often parents are interested in whether it is possible to give shoes from an older child to a younger one. Komarovsky says that it's okay if the baby starts stomping in the boots of his brother or sister, no.
If the shoe fits him in size, does not press and does not dangle on his leg, if it is in good working order, then nothing needs to be complicated. These are just clothes, and therefore it is possible to wear them after another child, subject to the rules of hygiene.
How to choose your first shoe?
There are several simple rules, knowledge of which will help parents choose both the first and second, and each subsequent pair of shoes for their child, and at the same time do not harm him:
You should not buy footwear "for growth". If the sandals are too large, the pace of the gait slows down. In this, of course, there is no particular orthopedic harm, but it is still unpleasant. To compensate for the inconvenience of wearing large shoes, the child will begin to tuck the socks inward, and the knees will often be bent when walking.
No need to buy heavy shoes. This is especially true for winter and autumn shoes for the baby. The kid just learned to stomp, and they bring him heavy high boots, besides, a caring grandmother will definitely put a pair of woolen socks on the toddler's legs before putting on shoes. To understand how a still dumb child feels, Komarovsky advises adults to put on ski boots and walk in them on a flat road for at least half an hour without skis.
The model of the first shoe does not play a big role, says Evgeny Komarovsky. If the child is healthy, he does not have medical justified problems with the feet or spine, then the main thing is not the color and presence of laces and velcro, but the convenience for the child.
But it is important that the socks are still round, narrow noses prevent the normal development of the fingers.
The off-season period is characterized by unstable weather, the sun is quickly replaced by rain or a sharp drop in temperature. In the online store KOTOFEY-MOSKVA.RF, children's and teenage demi-season shoes are presented, autumn and spring will now not frighten kids with changeable weather. Among the huge selection of models, you should buy shoes that will repel moisture and have medium insulation. It will protect your feet from overheating.
Rules for choosing children's demi-season shoes
You should not take shoes with a large margin; it is enough to add one centimeter for warm socks to the measurements of the child's foot. Correctly fitted shoes form a healthy foot and an easy gait. It is better to choose a model with a wide toe, as the narrow nose deforms the growing leg. According to the recommendations, demi-season shoes should have a hard back and be comfortable. The presented models meet the above requirements, as well as have other advantages:
- dry and warm feet - strong and flexible sole;
- demi-season models are made of genuine and high quality artificial leather;
- the shoes are very easy to clean.
Features of shoes for the off-season
The assortment offered by the Kotofey online store will appeal to any child and adult. Women's models are decorated with various applications and delicate patterns, demi-season men's shoes have interesting shapes and a protected toe. Fasteners, zippers provide a snug fit of the shoe on the foot, and Velcro boots are suitable for children who do not yet know how to tie shoelaces or zip up.
Demi-season boots have different heights. For kids, a short model was created, no matter how much movement is limited, and schoolchildren and adolescents should pay attention to models above the ankle or to the middle of the calf.
The quality of children's demi-season shoes Kotofey is manifested in the details - strong seams, modern sole, insulated lining, all materials used meet high standards.
