Podiatrists Caution Against Nike’s New Baby Shoes
Podiatrists have voiced concerns about Nike’s latest baby shoes, which cost £45.
These trainers have been described as a ‘very expensive pair of socks’ on social media and have raised concerns about their impact on a baby’s gait and balance.
While Nike asserts that these shoes are essential for early walkers and promote natural gait development, experts like Rob Payne, a renowned musculoskeletal podiatrist, advise that it’s best for babies to walk barefoot.
Mr. Payne, who has worked with Premier League football clubs and Olympic athletes, questions the necessity of babies wearing trainers.
He explains that walking barefoot or in socks enhances a baby’s proprioception and helps refine their gait.
Introducing firm-soled trainers at an early stage may hinder proprioception due to the increased rigidity of the shoe, potentially affecting balance.
Nike’s Approach and Critics
Nike claims that their baby shoe, released on October 31 for £44.95, features a ‘seamless Flyknit upper’ that provides flexible support.
The shoe is designed to mimic barefoot movement, with a wide toe box that allows the feet to move naturally.
Remarkably, it’s the first Nike children’s shoe to receive the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance.
Critics, however, remain unconvinced. Some parents on social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), find the concept of baby shoes that mimic carpet for walking infants impractical and costly.
Others argue that babies should not wear shoes at all, as they need contact with the earth for healthy development.
The Importance of Natural Development
Mr. Payne emphasizes that introducing shoes too early can hinder a baby’s gait development, particularly when it is generally recommended for babies to learn to walk in safe indoor environments.
This reduces the risk of prolonged exposure to hard surfaces like concrete, making such trainers seem unnecessary.
Podiatrists generally advise against putting babies in shoes, as ill-fitting ones can harm the growth of muscles and soft bones in the feet.
These bones do not fully develop until a child is seven or eight years old, starting as cartilage, which is soft and pliable.
It is vital to allow babies’ feet to develop naturally without the constraints of footwear.
The Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists suggests that shoes be worn only when a child is ready to walk outside, as walking barefoot strengthens the feet’s muscles.
Additionally, shoes should allow room for the foot to grow, have adjustable straps, a flexible sole, and should not slip off, according to the Royal College of Podiatry.
People