My friend recently told me about a brand of children’s shoes, Dr. Kong, which are advertised to promote healthy feet. She claimed that her pediatrician recommended them to her. Suddenly worried about the health of my children’s feet, I rushed out to the Super Brand Mall (7th floor) and bought two pairs for Liam.

Liam's Dr. Kong shoes are stylish and seemingly comfortable. The primary reason for my purchase, however, was my friend’s recommendation. Truthfully, I do not know much about children’s shoes.

Doing a little research on the subject, I learned two main things: (1) buying good quality shoes for our children is important and (2) there is a great deal of confusion regarding the choice of appropriate shoes for children with normal feet.

Importance of good shoes

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Textbook on Pediatric Care:

The foot takes one the shape of the shoe, not vice versa. Improperly fitted or manufactured shoes may be the primary cause of acquired foot deformities and problems. Shoes that do not fit properly can deform an otherwise normal foot, resulting in hammertoes, hallux valgus, bunionettes, corns and, ultimately, the need for surgery.

Common Myths about Children’s Shoes

While it is important to exercise care in selecting your child’s shoes, parents are plagued with misinformation (often disseminated by shoe manufacturers) about what to look for in a shoe. The following are some myths I discovered:

1. Pre-walking babies need shoes. The AAP says that style is the only reason for a baby to wear shoes at all until the child begins walking or is taken out in cold weather. Even toddlers and children can go barefooted in a protected environment.

2. Rigid shoes are good for support, stability and learning to walk. It is quite the opposite. Shoes that are rigid prevent foot motion and may diminish the development of the intrinsic musculature of the feet. Properly fitting shoes that have flexible, smooth soles and soft uppers are recommended for children of all ages.

3. High-top shoes are good for ankle support. Support to the ankle is not a function of the shoe except when a medical condition is present. Aside from style, the only reason some parents might prefer ankle-high shoes for their babies and toddlers is to make removing the shoes more difficult for the child.

4. Shoes should be fitted by an expert. Many shoe manufacturers, including Dr. Kong, offer expert shoe fitting services as a part of their marketing scheme. These services are not necessary. As the AAP says, “determining the proper fitting of shoes involves no great science.” Measure both your child’s feet while standing and ask him/her to walk around in them to ensure comfort. Shoes should not be expected to stretch to fit.

5. Growing children should change shoes every two months between the ages 2 and 6. While shoe manufacturers love this myth, in reality, there is no rule of thumb. The frequency with which shoes should be changed depends on the rate of growth of the feet, the quality of the shoes and the degree of their use. Using common sense, parents are usually able to tell when shoes become too small (or rather feet become too large).

6. Sneakers cause flat feet. According to the AAP, sneakers are perfectly adequate summer wear and winter indoor wear for older children. Parents might consider switching to the more expensive leather as the temperature gets colder. The AAP does warn, however, that toddlers may stumble in sneakers, which can stick to the floor.
   

7. Children should not wear hand-me down shoes. Another great false rumor likely started by shoe manufacturers. Within a family, there is no reason not to pass shoes from one sibling to another if they are in good condition. The concern with hand-me downs from strangers is hygiene and disease transmission.