You recently managed to get your little one new shoes, and here the toddler is again complaining of pressure in the toes? It seemed that the chosen shoes will last for the whole season, and just a few weeks later the child asked you to buy a new, larger model? Unfortunately, these are the charms of children's rapid development. Wondering at what rate and by when the foot grows? We answer!

Although a properly developing child is a real reason for happiness, such a situation also means that parents need to replace shoes frequently. And this brings financial consequences. In order to plan a budget for these expenses and start looking for shoes early enough, it is worth finding out what age the foot grows to.

By which year does the rate of children grow?

Are you looking for an answer to the question: up to how many years does the rate increase? Unfortunately, there is no clear answer to this. Each child, from the fetal period, develops at its own pace. This principle also applies to feet. This process depends on many factors, including both genetic and environmental. However, despite different growth rates, every child will eventually reach maturity. Wondering how long it will take?

The most intensive growth is noticed in toddlers up to the first year of life. Infants' feet grow very quickly in order to be able to provide the body with adequate support while learning to walk. In some cases, an increase of up to 4 sizes is noticed during this period!

Fortunately, the first shoes are needed only when the toddler moves confidently on his feet or wants to go outside. Until then, a good pair of socks will suffice for the child. Therefore, do not rush to buy shoes, and you will save a lot of cash.

After the age of 12 months, the foot grows slightly slower. Between the age of 2 and 3 years there is an increase in its length by an average of 1.5 mm per month, and between the 3rd and 6th birthday - by 1 mm per month. So, if you choose shoes with a 7-9-millimeter reserve then they should easily last 3-4 months, or even the whole season. This allows you to plan your purchase accordingly and spread the expense over time.

It is most difficult to determine the rate of development of the foot in children over the age of 6. Kids at this stage grow by leaps and bounds. Much depends on the rate of maturation, weight and height. Sometimes feet change size in just a week, so it is worth being constantly prepared for the extra expense. This stage lasts until about age 16. After this time, the length of the foot very rarely changes, so you can safely buy expensive shoes without the risk that you will immediately have to replace them with a new model.

At the same time, it is important to remember that, despite the lack of visible changes, the child is still developing. After the age of 16, the bones harden and mineralize, making them more resistant to pressure or intense physical activity. The process of their formation continues for another five years. Finally, the feet reach their mature form at age 21.

How to properly select shoes for a child who is constantly growing?

Buying shoes for a kid whose feet are constantly growing is quite a challenge that parents face every day. Wondering how to do it so that the shoes will last more than a few weeks?

Before you buy shoes at Tupu Tupu, measure your child's feet. To do so:

• Ask your child to stand on a piece of paper,
• Draw a line on a piece of paper behind the outermost parts of the foot, that is, the heel and the big toe,
• Measure the distance between the points.

Add 7 mm (for summer shoes) or 10 mm (for winter shoes) to the resulting value. By doing so, you will ensure that the toes can move freely when walking, which will help the child more easily maintain balance. But this is not the only reason to add a few millimeters to the measurement. The looseness of the shoe will extend the life of the shoe, which you will surely appreciate quickly!

At the same time, remember not to make the popular mistake of buying shoes that are too big, as this can have very serious consequences for the proper development of your child's posture.

Although buying shoes is a burden on your household budget, treat it as an investment in your child's health and development. This will make it easier for you to come to terms with another expense that is not always planned.