Babies with tight-fitting footwear risk deformities- Paediatricians

On Nov 7, 2023

Paediatricians have advised mothers against wearing tight-fitted footwear for babies, warning that such footwear could cause serious damage to their fragile toes that could result in deformities. The physicians who spoke with newsmen, recommended that parents should choose shoes that are soft and flexible for their babies to allow for movement and growth. They also explained that babies’ feet are delicate and need to be allowed to grow and develop naturally without barriers.

According to them, badly fitted footwear can lead to a number of problems, including ingrown toenails, bunions, and deformities of the foot.

A Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Omotayo Adesiyun, says the toes of babies wearing tight-fitted shoes will become squished together and will not properly align and the feet will become deformed.

Adesiyun, who is a Consultant Paediatrician at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, said shoes are not necessarily needed for babies because they cannot walk around. According to her, putting on tight-fitting shoes can lead to consequences for small children.

“The immediate effect is that it causes discomfort and pain and they will be crying. The more serious effect is that if the parents keep putting on the tight shoes, the toes will become squished together and will not be properly aligned and the feet will become deformed. Shoes are meant to protect our feet when we walk around. Small babies do not walk around so shoes for them are just for dressing. For the older ones who have started walking, they should wear properly fitted shoes, not too small or not too big. In our environment, because of the cost, parents also put on shoes for children which are too big. My advice for parents is that when the child has outgrown the shoe, keep it for the next child. Appropriate shoes for children should be flat and protective”, she explained.

The paediatrician further said ,“Clothes for children should be comfortable and appropriate for the weather. Generally for babies, when we are cold, they too are cold and when we are hot, they are also hot. Their clothes should be comfortable and not too big. In the hot weather, they should not wear clothes that are too thick for them. When it is cold, they should not expose them.”

On his part, a Consultant Paediatrician at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Ayo Adetoye warned parents against the dangers of babies wearing tight-fitted shoes.

While noting that tight-fitting shoes can cause damage to the baby’s feet, the child health expert stressed that these problems can be avoided by choosing the right shoes for the baby.

Adetoye explained that the best shoes for babies are those that are made from soft, breathable materials such as leather or canvas.

He added: “We see many cases of children with problems related to inappropriate shoes. Babies’ feet are still growing and developing, and they need shoes that allow them to move and grow naturally. When parents come into the clinic, we see a lot of babies wearing shoes that are far too small and too rigid. These shoes don’t allow the baby’s foot to move freely, and they can actually hinder the normal development of the foot. The shoes should also have a flexible sole that allows the baby’s foot to move and bend naturally. Parents should also make sure that their baby’s shoes fit well. They should be able to wiggle their toes and the shoes should not be too tight or too loose”.

PUNCH/Wumi