Children's Feet Grow Fast, So Check Them Often

It's no secret that children's feet grow rapidly. Parents should check their youngster's shoes every few weeks to ensure there is adequate space to expand.

"The wrong shoe size can cause foot problems," says Dr. Philip Wilson, an orthopedic surgeon at UT Southwestern Medical Center. "Parents should check the fit of a child's shoe when the child is standing and pay particular attention to the front of shoes. There should be one-half the length of an adult's thumbnail between the tips of the toes and the front of the shoes."

Dr. Wilson also recommends that shoes be wide enough so they don't cramp the child's toes from side to side. Shoes are unnecessary for infants except in cold weather or if the child has started walking and is on a hazardous surface. "When shoes become necessary, parents should purchase inexpensive, well-ventilated soft shoes with flexible, soft soles," Dr. Wilson says.