Does your toddler really need to wear shoes?

by Dr. Robert Steele

My mother is very upset that my 16-month-old does not always wear shoes. She said this lack of support is bad for her feet. Do I need to worry about my toddler not wanting to wear shoes when walking around the house?

answer

First of all, shoes are not needed for infants, except as a way of providing warmth for the feet. The toddler also only needs shoes to protect the feet when outside. Some have argued that shoes may actually hamper a toddler's ability to co-ordinate her walking but this has certainly never been proved. It just emphasises that expensive toddler shoes are often no better for development than less expensive ones. When buying shoes for the toddler, make sure they are not too heavy and do not have sticky soles that may cause falls.

Your question raises a subject that concerns many parents. Children wear all types of shoes, and they grow so quickly that they often outgrow their shoes before they have worn out. Having an idea of what to look for in a shoe is helpful when you head for the shoe shop.

Have your child's feet measured. In general, the feet need to be measured every time shoes are bought. This is true even for older children and teenagers who seem to have stopped growing, because subtle changes in shoe size may still occur as one gets older.
Try on shoes at the end of the day. Feet normally swell during the course of the day. It is also normal to have a slight discrepancy in foot size between the two feet.
Try on both shoes for comfort. Go with the size of shoe that fits the larger foot. Allow about half an inch of space at the end of the longest toe to the end of the shoe. Make sure the heel doesn't slip with normal walking, but that the snugness of the shoe lets toes wiggle freely.
A ‘breaking-in’ period for shoes is a myth. If they are not comfortable from the time they are put on, don't buy them.
Finally, buy the shoe that is most comfortable for your child.

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Does your toddler really need to wear shoes?