–>Some experts now believe that shoes can have a negative impact on a growing child’s foot. As with these claims, there happens to be some supporting research. Eleven studies published and analyzed in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research show that footwear can have an effect on a developing child’s gait.
This gait is affected as children walk faster and take longer steps. This not only affects their ankle and knee movements but also reduces motion, absorbs shock, and enforces a pattern of landing on the heel. Wearing big, bulky shoes during childhood may hinder the natural motion of walking, therefore causing later effects on the bones and muscles as they develop during adolescence.
It’s important that infants have good foot care. If you are a parent and need help getting your infant new shoes, see podiatrist Dr. Neal Mozen, DPM of Foot Health Care Associates. Dr. Mozencan examine your infant’s feet and advise you about what size and style of footwear to look for.
Fitting Shoes for Infants
Taking care of a baby to ensure proper development is highly important and necessary to make sure that they grow up to be healthy and happy. Finding shoes for infants may be tricky for new parents because it is a new experience for everyone involved. Also, since infants cannot speak, they cannot tell you which one feels best, which hurts, and which styles they like more. Although often crying is a signal for them being unhappy, it is still difficult to know what fits.
Since their feet are so tiny, it might be easier to go around a store and try to see which shoes fit them best. Most infant shoes are very soft and you will not have to worry about fancy laces or intricate shoe designs. For infants, all that matters is that they are warm, well-protected and comfortable so that they can grow properly.
Once a baby is able to stand or start walking after they pass their crawling phase, it is important to change their shoes as often as they grow.
If you have any questions please contact one of our offices, located in Southfield, Novi, and Livonia, MI. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
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