Little Feet's Little Blog

Let's Get Running!

     Are you and your kids doing any fun runs or charity races this spring?  There are so many exciting options to get the whole family running together, and these runs are a great way to introduce kids to healthy exercise.  Before you start training, it's important to make sure you are keeping their feet healthy, too! Here's some pointers and tips from your favorite shoe fitting experts at Little Feet!

     Especially because kids are small (for every stride you take, they will take 2 to 3!) and because their feet are still developing, it is important to get a good fitting, supportive running shoe.  Here's some important points to consider:

     -Flexibility:  The sole and upper should be flexible to move with your child's foot in a heel to toe running movement.

    -Breathability:  Running shoes should be lightweight and breathable to keep those little feet ventilated!

    -Support:  A good running shoe will combine flexibility with support in the footbed, arch and heel cup.  Many offer extra shock absorption systems to protect the foot as it strikes the ground.

    When you're buying running shoes for your kids, you might be surprised how many brand names you will recognize as familiar from buying your own running shoes! Nike, Reebok, Adidas, Saucony and New Balance all offer kids versions of their adult running shoes.  However, there are also several children's brands that make great running shoes specifically geared towards kids, like Tsukihoshi, Stride Rite and Jumping Jacks.  If your child isn't ready (or doesn't want!) laces, many styles are available in velcro closures as well. (Click here to see a selection of some of our running shoes from the brands listed above.)

    It's definitely fun to look at all the great colors and styles out there, but as always, the most important feature of any shoe is the fit!  As a general rule, it's best to fit with a half size growing room so toes are not bumping the end of the shoe, which can create blisters or hotspots, but still snug enough to achieve maximum support.  At Little Feet, we also pay special attention to the width of a child's foot.  No matter whether your child is narrow or wide, we can find a running shoe that will fit just right!

    When you come to get your kid's running shoes, it's important to bring three things:

    First, don't forget the feet! It's best to have your child measured and fit by a professional.  Since sizes vary from brand to brand (and even between different shoes of the same brand!)  The best way to get a great fit is by taking a current measurement and trying on the shoes.

    Second, bring the socks your child usually wears, or will wear for running.  Believe it or not, socks can make a difference in how the shoe fits and feels.

    Third, bring an open mind!  Not every brand fits every kid - and many times, the brand you as a parent find most comfortable can be uncomfortable for your child's foot.

    Another important tip to remember is to leave enough time between your shopping day and your race for kids to "break in" their new shoes.  They should be able to wear the shoes for at least a few days before race day!

    By following these simple guidelines, you will be on track for great running shoes for your kids, and a great family running experience!

Special shoes for your little Valentine

We usually don't think of Valentine's Day as a family holiday. Aside from candy there isn't much appeal for young children who can't appreciate the mushy stuff.

However, with just a bit of creativity Valentine's Day can be a rare chance to show the little girls in your life how special they truly are. This holds especially true for for fathers. While you're preparing for a daddy-daughter "date" don't forget the shoes that will make her feel like the most loved girl in the world.

We'll admit that we see way more moms than dads in our store. There are many men out there who don't know a mary jane from a ruched ballet flat! Here's a quick guide to few of our favorite shoes for your little lady:

For the Little Princess: Little girls love glitter and pink. Skechers "Punkie Rose" Mary Janes($51.95) have more pink glitter and beading than we thought possible. A princess shoe that works for everyday, not just dress-up.

 

For the Grade-School Fashionista: Naturino Ballet Flats($64.95-$69.95) have the best of everything: Soft quality leather, slick European design, durable rubber bottoms, and secure elastic straps to keep them on. We stock many styles from Naturino that girls love. 

 

For 13 going on 30: Trying to steer clear of stilleto heels? Kenneth Cole flats(prices vary by style) come in many cuts and colors including, black, gold, silver, and pink. All of their styles are fun, versitile, and age appropriate.

 

 

For the Star Athlete: Merrell's "Chamelion Arc" Mary Jane($49.95) is fast as a sneaker and holds up to running and climbing trees. They're still feminine without being too fancy for girls aren't the princess type.

 

For the Daddy-Daughter Dance: This is where you can get really fancy! Younger girls will love dancing in the sweet "Crush" from Nina($49.95) in red or black. Girls ready for heels will shine in the Nina "Kimmie"($49.95)

Check out these wonderful events and ideas for celebrating Valentine's Day with your little one. However you choose to mark the occasion, remember to let your daughter know how very loved she is, every day of the year.

 http://www.fatherdaughterdance.com/

http://www.greatdad.com/valentinesday/

http://kidshealth.org/kid/talk/kidssay/girls_boys_valentines.html

Dr. Weber's Tips for Keeping Little Feet Healthy

Today we're happy to feature a guest blog by Dr. Anna K Weber, DPM. Dr. Weber is a respected pediatric podiatrist, local mom, and one of our favorite people! Her suggestions match perfectly with our fitting philosophy. We could think of no one more qualified to give medically sound advice on children's foot and shoe needs. She will be at our store on February 4th from 10am-noon to give FREE pediatric foot screenings and advice. Until then, here's her take on kid's foot health and good fitting shoes.

 

There is some controversy regarding the role of shoes in the early development of foot function. When I was a kid in the 70s and early 80s, there was no debate. You just wore saddle shoes, a new pair every year. Now, with so many brands and styles to choose from, it can be confusing for a parent to know which shoes are best for their kids. Below are some helpful guidelines that shed some light on this often confusing topic.

Pre-walkers, Early Walkers and Toddlers – The Importance of Fit and Function

One thing that’s important to remember is that children’s feet are in an important stage of growth and development. They do not yet have hard, solid bone, but rather a relatively soft cartilage that is the precursor to bone formation. Their feet are soft and pliable. For this reason, it is extremely important to avoid tight or ill-fitting shoes as they can actually cause the feet or toes to deform. Additionally, tight fitting shoes can cause ingrown toenails even in pre-walkers and beginning walkers. There should be plenty of room for the child to wiggle his or her toes within the shoes. Another good “rule of thumb” is that there should be a thumb’s-width space between the end of the toes and the tip of the shoe. At this stage of rapid growth, feet should be checked every 2-3 months.

Studies have shown that children’s feet actually develop best when they are barefoot; however, their delicate, tender skin needs to be protected from environmental elements. To resolve these conflicting requirements, good early walking shoes are intentionally designed to mimic barefoot walking. They should be flexible, soft and lightweight. They should not have any arch support or heel height. Unlike adults, growing children need a flat-soled shoe to allow their feet to strengthen and their arches to develop naturally. Severe or pathologic flatfoot is one exception to this rule and is discussed briefly below.

Pre-school and Beyond

Once children are up and running, and as their gait evolves into a more mature “heel-to-toe” pattern, their shoe requirements will gradually change. They can still safely use a lightweight and flexible shoe, but it is also now safe (and often preferred) to use a firmer shoe or an athletic style shoe. The same rules apply with regards to shoe fit. At this stage, foot size should be checked every 4-6 months, and there should still be ample room for growth at the end of the shoe.

During this stage, it is also important to keep an eye on the shape of the shoe, as children’s shoe trends tend to push towards more stylized shapes that are not as well suited for healthy development. The shape of the shoe is determined by the last which is the model from which the shoe is made. Straight-last shoes are desirable at this stage, as a curved last (one in which the fore part of the foot is angled inward with respect to the heel) can force the unformed foot into an in-toed position. The shoe should also have a rounded, roomy toe box, allowing the feet to develop in a natural and unrestricted fashion.

A Word about Flat Feet

Flat feet are absolutely normal in infants. During the first 1-2 years, the arch is immature and undeveloped, and there is also a normal fat pad which obscures the arch. As the child grows and develops, so too do the muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones, until by the age of five or six, an arch should be apparent. Moderately flat feet at this age still often develop proper arches as the child progresses through adolescence and into adulthood. Deciding which flat feet are severe enough to warrant further evaluation can be a difficult decision. If a child seems to have unusually flat arches, complains of pain, or limps during activities, they should be evaluated by a pediatric foot and ankle specialist. Depending on the severity of the flat feet, custom insoles (orthotics) may be recommended. This is also one instance in which a more rigid and supportive shoe with a more stable base of support may be indicated. Additionally, arch support within the shoe may be recommended for the painful or severe flat foot. A good foot and ankle specialist knows the importance of shoe gear in this patient population and will recommend that the child visit a specialty shoe store for assistance with shoe selection.

The Importance of Shoe Fitting

The importance of proper shoe fit cannot be overemphasized. Remember that pre-walkers through toddlers should have their foot size checked every 2-3 months. From about the age of three, foot size can be checked every 4-6 months. Once the foot is measured, there is still variability in sizing. Shoe fit should be checked for proper length and width. With the child standing, there should be a thumb’s-width of length between the end of the toes and the tip of the shoe. There should also be room to insert your little finger between the child’s heel and the counter of the shoe. This will ensure that there is room to grow, as the foot grows backward as well as forward. The widest part of the foot is across the ball of the foot. Shoes should be checked to make sure there is no bulging in this area, which would indicate tightness.

For all age groups, shopping at specialty stores goes a long way towards keeping feet healthy and preventing problems. A specialty store will carry a wider selection to accommodate different shapes and sizes. Experienced shoe-fitters can help guide you to the best fit for your child’s growing and developing foot.

 Dr. Anna Weber is a podiatrist that treats pediatric foot and ankle conditions in Denver. She has volunteered on medical mission trips to El Salvador, where she and a team of surgeons treat children with severe foot and ankle deformities not commonly seen in the U.S. She has also trained with the late, renowned orthopedist Dr. Ignacio Ponseti and utilizes his casting technique for the treatment of pediatric clubfoot. She has recently relocated to Denver from Chicago and is happy to have found Little Feet for her patient’s (and her own children’s) shoe needs. Dr. Weber can be reached at annakweber@yahoo.com for any specific questions you may have concerning your child's foot health.

Back to School Shoes that Put the Fun in Functional

Back to school shopping can have all the fun and excitement of a new school year. It can also bring about a bit of conflict between parents and kids about their school shoes. Parents focus on fit, durability, and value for their money. Younger kids are all about shoes that go on easily, and older kids like fashion and want to "look cool." Whether your child always likes to dress up or just wants to run the fastest at recess, we can help satisfy the entire family.

For girls, a Mary Jane style is pretty and practical. StrideRite and Nina both excel in sparkly, colorful shoes on a durable rubber bottom for comfort and support. Merrell makes a sporty Mary Jane that is still cute with dresses and skirts. Twig is an independent designer exclusive to Little Feet; they have fashions as cool and unique as your daughter is.

Boys - and many girls - turn to athletic shoes for everyday wear. Yes, sneakers can be good for a child's feet! Favorite brands like New Balance, Nike, Saucony and Adidas back up their reputations by creating kid's shoes that perform as well as their adult lines. Kid-specific brands such as Jumping Jacks and Tsukihoshi make great styles with unique features, including being machine washable. Of course, all these brands have Velcro and lace-up options for kids of all sizes and stages.

We often have parents request little versions of their favorite comfort brands such as Merrell and Keen. Many brands do "takedowns" of their most popular styles. The Merrell slip-on has been our best-selling school shoe for several seasons, thanks to versatility and a wide color selection. Sanita makes clogs starting at a little size 7 in cute colors like candy apple red. Ugg and Emu boots are all over the kid's market as well.

Don't forget the littlest family members! They may not be walking to class, but preschool and daycare tots have shoe needs, too. Montessori programs often request "indoor shoes" the kids can take on and off by themselves. Ragg slippers are ideal, with one easy Velcro strap and a protective rubber bottom. See Kai Run and Riley Roos are great for that time between crawling and walking. Even infants can slip on some Robeez to stay warm on wood or vinyl floors.

Fun and practical footwear is the key for fall. Once you find the style you and your child love, we'll take care of proper fitting and growing room. Your trip to Little Feet can be the easiest stop on your shopping list.