Focus on Fit

There are many different types and styles of footwear that are considered " good for their feet". Here are a few healthy footwear features to watch out for when buying shoes, sandals, boots, and trainers.....

Babies and young children not yet walking:
Soft, flexible, cushioned pre-walkers that have durable, anti-slip soles. Remember, bare-foot is best at this stage so allow your child to wear no socks or shoes for a few hours during the day.

Children and Teenagers:
All footwear should be fastened correctly to prevent the foot from moving around inside, laces tied and straps closed securly will keep the heel of the foot at the back of the shoe. Footwear should feel firm at the back and flexible at the front. Added support includes inner elongated stiffners and high-raise backs with arch support.
Avoid slip-ons and high heels!

Everybody!
Continuous use of Trainers and Slippers are unhealthy for foot development as this type of footwear can cause the foot to become flacid and widen over time. Padding inside Trainers can wear down and so they become loose around the foot. Loose or wide footwear will cause the toes to bunch or grab in order to stay on.
All footwear should be comfortable, supportive and durable allowing the feet to move naturally.

Returns Policy:

If, for whatever reason you are unhappy with your purchase from Little Piggys, please follow the guidlines below:

• Don't delay, return to the shop as soon as you notice a fault.

• Bring your reciept or some other proof of purchase.

In the case of manufacturing faults, we will be happy to have the shoe repaired, replaced or the cost refunded back to you. Manufacturing faults will become evident very quickly after the first few days of wear and include:
• Faulty stitching on the upper.
• Buckles loose or falling off.
• Leather seams inside the shoe which have not been 'skived' off and which may cause irritation.
• Decorative features ie: flowers and bows falling off.
• Any part of the sole unit separating from the upper.

If a fault occurs after the shoes have been worn for 4 weeks or longer, you may not be entitled to a full refund as it may be caused by normal wear and tear.

Normal wear and tear is deemed by the following:

• Scuffing, scraping and tears along the front of the shoe or the sole around the toe.

• Stiffeners at the back of the shoe 'collapsing' due to the foot forcing entry into a closed shoe.

• Darkening colour on leather insoles.

• Excessive wear on the soles or the uppers caused by reapetedly dragging the shoe on an abraisive surface ie: footpaths and playgrounds.

• Soles peeling due to machine washing.

It is important to care for your child's footwear to prolong their durability, just as you would care for their clothing we recommend regular cleaning / polishing. For handy tips and tricks please visit our foot care page.

We strongly recommend that you bring your child with you for fitting as we cannot exchange ill-fiiting footwear once the shoes have been worn.

For more information on foot problems in children, check out:
www.epodiatry.com

1. When will my child start walking?
2. When should my child be fitted with his first pair of shoes?
3. Where should I go to buy my child's shoes?
4. What happens when First Shoes are fitted?
5. Why is fitting so important?
6. Which shoes are suitable for my toddler?
7. How often should I have the fit checked?
8. Why did my child measure differing sizes in two different shops?
9. My child is walking pigeon-toed. What should I do?
10. Are there other foot health points to consider?

1. When will my child start walking?

The average age for walking ranges from about 10 to 18 months. However, this can vary either way. The most important thing is not to force a child to walk before they are ready.When your child is walking all by him/her self without any assistance and is ready to walk outside, it is usually now time for shoes. Another sign to watch for is when crawling has been abandoned and your child is on his/her feet all the time.

2. When should my child be fitted with his first pair of shoes?

Firstly, do not put structured shoes on a baby who has only learned to stand; they will make it much more difficult for him/her to balance. Indoors, where it is safe, barefoot is best for improved grip and to encourage good development.

Your toddler will not need shoes until he/she is walking unaided for most of the day and is ready to walk outside.

3. Where should I go to buy my child's shoes?

Only buy from shops with a fully trained children's shoe fitting staff. It is very important that you choose a retailer who stocks in whole and half sizes. Never buy shoes for your child without him/her being present.

Little Piggy's provides a broad range of footwear for all uses including formal shoes, school shoes, casual footwear, trainers, Wellingtons and slippers.

4. What happens when First Shoes are fitted?

At Little Piggys we understand that buying First Shoes is a great milestone for parents and their children.

Firstly, one of our fitters will want to put your child at ease. Then, with your child on your lap, we will carefully put one, and then the other, little foot into a special measuring gauge checking for length, width and girth. But this is only the starting point - our experience will determine the most appropriate shoe for the shape of the child's foot.

Then we will carefully guide the toes into the chosen shoes and fasten them securely. Your child will need to stand so that we can feel around each shoe to check that it fits comfortably across the toe, instep, ankle and heel.

We will then watch your child walk to see that the shoes are not slipping.

This process can take about 20 - 30 minutes. If possible, avoid shopping on a Saturday and in school holidays and delay your visit if the child is fractious. Give your child a drink before reaching the shop!

5. Why is fitting so important?

There is no such thing as an average foot and shoes that come in only one width size fit less than a third of babies!

There are several basic foot shapes, but feet change as they mature. Variations in arches, insteps and toes make using a qualified shoe fitter as important as any other expert where a child's development is concerned.

It will take approximately 18 years for your child's foot to develop fully. At birth, the foot contains 22 partially formed bones that are as spongy as play dough. At six months the foot (still formed mainly of cartilage) is so delicate that it can easily be pushed out of shape by a tight sock or sleep suit. By school age the number of partially formed bones will have increased to 45 and, over the next 14 years, these will fuse together to form the adult foot.

Throughout the formative years, ill-fitting shoes can affect the alignment of soft bones. While most parents recognise the importance of fitting during the early days of walking, some fail to recognise that children's feet remain susceptible right through to the teens.
No two feet of any one individual are identical. Both feet have to be assessed before a pair of shoes can be fitted. If one foot's a little larger, the shoes will be fitted to the bigger foot.

But never get stuck on a child's shoe size because it will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and style to style.

6. Which shoes are suitable for my toddler?

Never buy shoes for children 'off the shelf' without a proper fitting service. Look for shoe shapes that closely resemble the natural shape of the foot. In a toddler this is wide at the toe and narrow at the heel.

The inside edge should be straight to avoid pressure on the big toe and they should fit snugly around the heel. Buy shoes made from, and lined with, natural materials - for instance, leather. This will allow the feet to breathe, will mould to the feet and offer safe, gentle protection.

Choose a shoe with an effective fastener across the instep so that your child doesn't curl his toes to keep them on! Look for soles that are lightweight, flexible and non-slip. In older children, heels should not be too high.

You and your child will love the range we offer Little Piggy's shoes. They are colourful, stylish and fun.

7. How often should I have the fit checked?

Children's feet grow in spurts so have their feet checked for size every six to eight weeks when they're toddling; three to four months when older. Children's feet will continue to grow until their mid teens.

8. Why did my child measure differing sizes in two different shops?

Foot gauges are calibrated to a specific manufacturer's lasts. One manufacturer's lasts will be different from another's. A qualified fitter will only judge a shoe's fit when the shoe is on the foot.

9. My child is walking pigeon-toed. What should I do?

Most children's feet will 'pronate' (roll inwards) at some stage - not the most effective way to walk and it can be unsightly - but nearly all will correct themselves as muscles strengthen.

Well-made fitted shoes that are stiff at the back and flexible at the front will control the child's feet, keep them up on balance and relieve muscle strain. Obviously, if you have any concerns about any area of your child's development, our advice is always that you should visit your own GP.

10. Are there other foot health points to consider?

It is never too early to start thinking about your child's foothealth. Do not have cot sheets tucked in too tightly. Kicking the air is good for your baby. Feet should be washed daily and dried carefully, especially between the toes.

Toenails should be kept short and cut straight across. Never curve them as this could encourage in-growing toenails. Properly fitting socks are important - too tight and they cramp the foot, too big and they bunch up causing pressure points and blisters. Choose a sock that has a high natural fibre content, avoiding nylon and acrylic.

Put clean socks on your child every day. Limit the wearing of trainers. Never hand down shoes from one child to another.