Podiatrist Dr Samuel Ong (B. Pod. Med.) is the founder and principal podiatrist of Mustard Seed Podiatry.
How are baby’s feet not just smaller versions of adult feet and do they need to be treated in a different way?
As a newborn, feet are mostly cartilage, with the last bones not formed until up to the age of five. Only after all of the bones are formed will they start to resemble a smaller version of an adult foot. Children’s feet continue to grow until they are around 18 years at which stage most of the bones have fully developed. Given these differences, baby shoes are not required and babies should not be wearing shoes as they can be restrictive to growth.
When should babies start wearing shoes?
Babies start to walk between 9 and 12 months, with most walking by 18 months. When your baby first starts walking, baby shoes are only required to protect their feet against sharp objects, dirt and slippery surfaces while outdoors. Fancy features are not required in the shoes.
Babies younger than this don’t really need baby shoes as they are not walking
@hugo *the fact your child is fine is neither here nor there, (you can't actually know that either, he might be storing up issues fir when hes older, small children don't often have issues, its not until we age that bad gait, or feet shape comes into play) but even if he is, its still not recommended by experts. for a reason.