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(EMAILWIRE.COM, August 16, 2009 ) Milwaukee, WI - As toddlers begin to walk, parents must know which shoes he or she should wear: what is best for the child's foot health? Most children learn to walk at about the time of their first birthday, although some learn months earlier or later.
Dr. Chris Milkie, a Milwaukee-based podiatrist, has some suggestions: “Pay attention to the shoe's proper length, width and depth when fitting your child's shoe. Poorly fitting children's shoes can cause toe problems, ingrown toenails, hammertoes, calluses and bunions.”
Children's feet grow in spurts and they require new shoes every three to four months. Most toddlers up to 24 months grow one-half a shoe size every three months; those younger than 16 months grow even faster!
Many parents donÂ’t realize that childrenÂ’s shoes come in different widths because seventy percent of kids wear shoes with D and E widths (most boys wear E, most girls D). But tie-fastened shoes can accommodate most widths.
Dr. Milkie reminds us that "Shoes should be comfortable from the start. If new shoes need to be broken in, they were not properly designed or not properly fitted for a child's foot." It's important to check the depth of the shoe to make sure the top of the shoe doesn't press on the toes or the toenails. Shoes with rounded, not pointed, toe boxes give little toes more room for movement.
Although they may be fashionable, babies and crawlers do not need shoes. They only need booties (warm, wide socks) or pre-walking shoes that do not bind their feet. Any pre-walking shoe should be flexible rather than providing a rigid support and it is very important that it be shaped like the child's foot. Of course kids can go barefoot indoors.
Real shoes come when itÂ’s time to walk. Toddlers from 9 months to 3 years should have shoes that allow the foot to breathe since their feet perspire a lot (many synthetic materials do not breathe). ItÂ’s also a good idea to choose a leather or canvas high-top tie shoe, which will stay on the foot better. A smooth sole means that the shoe won't grab the floor, which could cause your child to fall.
When kids are old enough to go to school, they can choose from a variety of options including athletic shoes, sandals, or hiking shoes. Look for reasonably priced, flexible, well-ventilated shoes that allow plenty of room for growth.
If you have a great deal of difficulty finding shoes that fit, or if your child develops calluses, sores, or other foot problems, consult your family podiatrist.
Visit Dr. Chris Milkie's blog at http://www.mayfairfootclinic.com/blog/ for more information on prescription orthotics, and many other treatments to relieve foot and ankle conditions, or to get information on the newest, and highly successful laser treatment for toenail fungus.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Milkie, or to learn more about Mayfair Foot Clinic, visit http://www.mayfairfootclinic.com/
Mayfair Foot Clinic
Dr. Chris Milkie
414-257-0676
webmaster@mayfairfootclinic.com 
Source: EmailWire.com
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