From baby booties to the first school shoe and beyond, it's best to get expert advice when shopping for children's shoes. Here are ten feet-friendly tips for looking after your little ones feet from the experts at www.clarks.co.uk.

Barefoot is best
There's nothing better for young feet than walking barefoot (whenever it's safe). It lets children's muscles develop, skin breathe and helps them feel the ground beneath their feet - which helps with walking.

Wash & brush up
Daily washing and drying of feet will help prevent infections, such as athlete's foot, from developing in the spaces between little toes.

Tidy & trim
Too long toenails can curl in or cause pressure points when wearing shoes. To prevent this, trim toenails regularly with small, sharp scissors, cutting straight across the nail.

Growth spurt
Children's feet grow quickly - around three whole sizes in the first year, and two sizes each year between the ages of one and five - so it's vital to have your child's feet regularly measured and assessed and to choose styles with growing room built in.

No bones
Babies are born with no bones in their feet, which is why they're so soft and squidgy! By the time they're in their teens though, their feet will be fully formed with all 26 bones.

Choosing shoes
Your child's feet are as unique as their personality. In recent surveys, less than a third of children fitted a ‛standard' width shoe, so it's important to look for the right width as well as size for your child's feet.

Breathe easy
It's important to let feet breathe, so choose shoes made from breathable materials, such as leather.

Unhappy feet
Badly fitting shoes don't just hurt; they can lead to unhealthy feet and even long-term damage to joints and posture.

Sporty styles
Active play and sport put pressure on the feet and joints, so look for sports and trainer styles which offer support and cushioning.

Sock stuff
Socks that are too loose can bunch up, causing blisters and corns; and socks that are too tight can squeeze the foot into an unnatural shape, causing permanent damage. Look for socks made from natural materials (at least 50% wool or cotton as a guide), which will help feet breathe.

Visit www.clarks.co.uk/YourFeet/KidsFoothealth to learn more about looking after little feet, and how to choose the right shoes for the different stages of your child's development.

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