This must be the question of the moment.
There is increasing talk of respectful footwear, and that's a good thing.
However, babies do not need, nor should they wear shoes when they are not yet walking. The all-important knowledge of their bodies, including their feet, begins before they take their first steps. That is why it is important to let them be free to explore their feet, touch them, squeeze them and even put them in their mouths. In addition, their muscles work and develop better with their feet free.
Putting shoes on babies disrupts what is known as proprioception, that is, the ability to recognize the spatial location of the body. Shoes alter the process of learning to stand up so that they can then begin walking.
Inside the home, and whenever possible, Babies should learn to walk barefoot , even on uneven floors, in parks and on the street – where it is safe and free of glass.
Even after they start walking, babies only really need to wear shoes when they are outside, to protect their feet from glass and adult feet.
Where it is not safe (in parks and on the street, for example), attipas protect, while at the same time respecting!
Respectful footwear, also known as barefoot, is footwear that protects the feet without interfering with their natural movements and physiological development in the case of children.
As the name barefoot suggests, it's like walking barefoot, maintaining all the associated benefits, but without the risk of getting hurt.
BUT… how do you know if the footwear is respectful?
Sole
Fine: about 3 mm up to 4 years to allow normal development of their feet. It can be increased (8 mm) for older children
Non-slip: to improve grip on the floor and thus prevent the baby from slipping or falling
Flexible: it must be possible to bend it in the metatarsal area. When acquiring walking it must be possible to twist it to allow movement of all joints and not hinder movements
Hard: They should not be padded (there are exceptions such as when carrying out specific activities)
No Drop: without differences in height throughout its entire length, so as not to modify the application of the child's weight and center of gravity
Wide: so that they do not compress the fingers and become uncomfortable
Buttress
Flexible and practically non-existent so that the child gains strength in the ankle naturally as they walk, without lateral stabilizers that provide false external balance.
Adjustment system
Easy to put on and take off.
A baby's feet are sensitive, the shoe should adapt to the foot without causing discomfort or hurting, and it should not be necessary to force the baby's feet to put on or take off the shoes.
The simplest thing is to have a way of opening and closing, for example, velcro, laces, zip, spring, etc., according to the child's age and promoting their autonomy.
Insole
No anatomical elements: A healthy foot does not need elements with relief in the insole that interfere with the natural development of the foot bridge.
Preferably removable, to facilitate daily cleaning and airing.
I want to see respectful footwear
Okay, I heard you had to measure your foot?
And how do I do that??
You can start by doing it on your feet so that the child wants to do it next.
1. place a leaf on the floor
2. Place your foot on the sheet, with the child standing
3. draw the shape of the foot on the sheet
4. Measure from the heel to the longest point of the foot (usually we have a diagonal line
How do I know the size is right?
We know that feet grow, right? So we need to have room for the foot to move and grow.
The insole needs to be between 0.8 and 1.2 cm larger than the foot measurement.
being that
0.5cm – the shoe is unusable
0.8cm – minimum comfortable space margin
1.2cm – maximum space margin
It is worth remembering that the phase of acquiring walking skills is probably one of the most important, and that is why we need to promote the best foot health and development.
How do you know if a shoe still fits your child?
We place the length of the foot directly on the insole.
Because we know that parents need help, did you know that we have created a great tool to make your choices and selections easier without getting lost in the tables of all the models and brands?
