Top tips

PUTTING CHILDREN’S FEET FIRST!

What is the lifetime of a pair of Shoes?

This depends on the individual child, however here are some general guidelines. On average a properly fitted pair can be expected to remain comfortable for:

•Infants: 2 to 3 months

•Toddlers and most pre-school: 2 ½ to 4 months

•School age: (age 6 to 10) typically 3 ½ to 5 months

However: There is no golden rule and exceptions do exist. A child can have a grow spurt or on the contrary grow really slowly for a long time.

What is the average size for my child’s age?

Remember, these are averages!

1 year old …. size 19 to 22 Eur. 3 / 5.5 UK

2 year old …. size 23 to 25 Eur. 6 / 7.5 UK

3 year old….. size 26 to 27 Eur. 8 / 9.5 UK

4 year old….. size 28 to 29 Eur. 10 / 11 UK

5 year old …. size 30 to 31 Eur. 11.5 / 12.5 UK

6 year old….. size 32 to 33 Eur. 13 / 1 UK

7 year old….. size 33 to 34 Eur. 1 / 2 UK

8 year old….. size 34 to 35 Eur. 2 / 3 UK

9 year old….. size 36 to 38 Eur. 3.5 / 5 UK

10 year old… size 38 to 40 Eur 5 / 7 UK

Above : this can differ enormously

Why do some shoes fit differently than others displaying the same size?

Even though there is a standard measuring devise, there is NO standard last for all shoes. A last is the form on which the shoe is built. The girth, shape, type and manufacturer of these lasts will determine the fit, regardless of the brand. Every manufacturer will have different styles the "same" size might therefore fit long, short, narrow, wide or just right.  

What brands should I look for?

What shoes are made from, fit and flexibility are more important than name brand. We only offer top name brands interested in quality leather footwear. You might see the same styles at a national discounter or chain for much less money, but typically these shoes are made out of plastic or vinyl. Not only will they last for only a short while but your children's feet cannot breathe in these shoes and as a result could easily grow bacteria , develop skin problems or worse and begin to smell.

Does my child need arch and ankle support for his pre-walkers or cruising shoes?

Children's feet develop through movement. Running, stopping, sitting, twisting, jumping strengthen the ligaments and tendons in lower legs and ankles. Properly fit, breathable, light and flexible shoes allow this to happen. Most name brand manufacturers understand this and typically don't put excessive arch support in their shoes. When they do, it is usually in the form of a simple foam pad, which will generally break down in a few weeks. In the early stages of life, shoes are needed to provide a safe environment from the elements, not to assist in the foot's development.

Does my baby need the first walking shoes and when?

Usually, once an infant begins to "cruise" furniture it's a good time. Infant's feet are usually thick, fat and very pliable. A first walking shoe helps give them a little more stability and confidence. These shoes are designed with this stage of development in mind and are this height primarily to stay on the foot, not for ankle support. Shoes are needed to provide a safe environment from the elements, whether that's cold kitchen floors or crawling in the yard, not to assist in the foot's development However, your child will learn to walk just fine without shoes.

What width to buy?

The American device that measures the width of a child's foot is a measurer called a Brannock device. This device is not a universal standard to determine a width. Therefore, we do not measure width except when we are using the Strat-rite foot gauge. Shoes are built on forms called lasts. The shape, girth, type and manufacturer of the last determine the width on a shoe, not the brand, size or width stamped inside the shoe.

Problem: Shoes slip on their narrow heels.

Solutions: athletic shoes - Use every eyelet on the shoe, lace them up a little tighter, wear a little thicker sock, insert a full insole. Strap shoes - if the shoes buckle is attached with elastic, the shoe is designed to slip. A small amount of slipping is necessary. Remember if they can pull it off without unbuckling it, it has to slip. However, strapping it tighter helps as does adding ½ cork insoles under the ball of the foot.

Wide feet?

Children with wide feet, typically outgrow the width first because most stores don't stock shoes wide enough, so they fit your child's shoes longer to get extra width. Shoes that are too narrow will usually put the most pressure on the side of the little toe or the big toe. If you can feel pressure on the little toe or it feels like it wants to "pop" out of the side of the shoe, it's too narrow. Shoes slip on heels?

Some slipping is necessary for a proper fit. The only shoes that don't slip at all must have a lot of padding on the heel to prevent blistering since the shoe doesn't move off the heel when the foot is bent. Any shoe a child can slip off without unbuckling or untying will slip to some extent. Blisters are caused by constant friction on a particular point on a foot. This friction creates heat, which raises blisters. Therefore, manufacturers design shoes with elastic gored buckles, (buckles sewn to an elastic strap and the strap sewn to the side of the shoe) more flexible soles and lower heel counters to prevent excess rubbing. If a shoe falls off when a child is running and it is laced or buckled firmly, the size is too big, the heel isn't too narrow.

Cleaning

All Leather shoes need a regular treatment with an appropriate wax or polish. this is to keep the leather supple, water repellent and therefor the shoes will last longer

BANANALANA

The Playhouse – 142 Purley Downs Road, South Croydon- Surrey cr2 0re, UK

Tel: +44(0)208-6578888

  Shop : 33 Limpsfield Road, South Croydon – CR2 0RE, Surrey

mail@bananallana.com / www.bananalana.com

BANANALANA: Putting Children's feet first!