By The Green Parent

22nd October 2013

When babies take their first tentative steps, it isn’t long before parents begin the search for their very first shoes. In fact, many purchase cruisers as soon their little ones begin to crawl, if not before with the idea being that young children require support for their developing feet. Whilst parents often spend a great deal of time researching the correct shoes and taking their children for fittings, the idea that children need shoes at all at such a young age has, in fact, become a harmful myth that is taking its toll on their overall development. But, many experts believe that the best thing for a child’s foot is no shoes at all.

By The Green Parent

22nd October 2013

By The Green Parent

22nd October 2013

Very young children, babies and toddlers in particular, are constantly growing and developing which means their shape and structure is changing all the time in subtle ways and their feet are no exception. The structure of the human foot at birth is vastly different to what it is in the adult years. To begin with there are no bones, instead babies’ feet contain soft cartilage that slowly ossifies over a number of years. This means that children’s feet are particularly susceptible to long term damage from the shaping effects of shoes, regardless of how well they are fitted.
When choosing a shoe, the most flexible sole possible is optimal for healthy foot development. A rigid sole will not allow for natural foot movement and heels, especially, alter the balance of the child and shape of their spine. But, many experts believe that the best thing for a child’s foot is no shoes at all.

Barefoot babies benefit in many ways ranging from stronger foot muscles and ligaments, which help the foot’s arch to develop, to increased proprioception which is how we determine where we are in relation to objects and hazards in our environments. A barefoot baby is more balanced, falls less and has a better posture. As their feet develop, these benefits reach far beyond their adult years.

Whether or not children eventually wear shoes, being barefoot for the first 5 years of their lives can have a profound effect upon their lifelong foot health. In barefoot societies, foot development problems are relatively uncommon with issues such as flat foot being prevalent in western cultures. The effects of flat feet/fallen arches on the body are tremendous with many going on to report knee and spinal problems and often suffering varying degrees of pain and discomfort throughout their lives. Being barefoot for just the first five years of life reduces the risk of fallen arches by as many as 5 times.

Whilst barefoot living may, at first, seem impractical it is important to consider that always being barefoot is quite different to suddenly being barefoot. Proprioception is such that children soon learn, with reasonable guidance, not to walk on harmful surfaces such as glass or sharp stones. In fact, they are much less likely to injure themselves as they are significantly less likely to trip, fall off the edge of a curb/rock and they build up a strong resistance to niggly bumps in the road without developing hard skin. The feedback bare feet receive from the ground is actually beneficial in avoiding accidents. Proprioception can be developed in adults and older children, but it is a little odd at first but we can and do adjust fairly quickly.

With a wide range of barefoot shoes available on the market, children needn’t feel like a social outcast if you do opt to keep them “unshod” for as long as possible. These ranges are also available in adult sizes as the effects of benefits of barefoot extend far beyond the childhood years.
And if you do decide to purchase shoes for your child, be sure to look out for flat and flexible soles and to keep their usage to a minimum – something simple that the whole family could well benefit from.
For more information, check out: http://www.unshod.org

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