Scots on top
According to the survey, babies born in Scotland are on a good footing, as Scots appear to know more when it comes to little feet. Three quarters (74%) of Scots questioned know that babies' feet should be properly measured for any type of shoe, compared to 70% in the Midlands and Wales, 65% in London and the rest of the South and 64% in the North.
Granny knows best
The study also reveals that grandmothers are more knowledgeable than mothers, fathers and grandfathers. 84% of grandmothers believe that babies' feet should be properly measured and fitted for any type of shoe compared to 79% of mothers, 68% of fathers and only 62% of grandfathers.
The Journey of feet
A baby's feet grow rapidly during the first year, reaching almost half their adult size. This is why specialists consider the first year to be the most important in the development of feet.
Leading orthotics and biomechanics clinician Dr Charlotte Hawkins explains: "At birth, the bones in a baby's foot are not fully formed. They are made of soft, spongy cartilage that can be pushed out of shape by ill-fitting garments such as socks and babygrows. A baby's feet can take up to 18 years to fully develop, and damage incurred during the earlier stages of development can lead to life-long foot problems”.
Start-rite training manager Charles Boyce has been advising on children's foot care for 27 years. He says: “There are three key stages in a baby's development. For new borns/pre-crawling, barefoot is best as the foot can develop naturally without constrictions. For babies that are crawling, Start-rite advises the feet are protected against bumps and scrapes by wearing soft pre-walkers that enable the feet to breathe. From this point onwards, feet should be checked regularly and all shoes should be professionally fitted. It is not until babies are walking confidently that more supportive footwear or first shoes should be considered”.
For more information on how to best care for babies' feet visit www.startriteshoes.com
