(provided by Startrite Shoes)

When your child is born, one of the first things you'll notice is their perfect little hands and feet. Soon those hands will be grasping your finger, surprisingly tightly. And next they'll be pulling themselves up on your lap and trying to stand on those tiny feet.

Even at this stage it's important to consider their footwear carefully. Babies' feet don't have bones, but soft cartilage which can easily be pushed out of shape by badly fitting shoes. Even socks that are too tight can damage their feet at this delicate stage.

A foot has 26 bones, 19 muscles and over 100 ligaments, which can take up to eighteen years to harden to adult form. But even before they start walking, babies' feet need protection and support, and at each stage of their development, they have different needs. This part of the web site is dedicated to giving you all the information you need to make the right foot care choices.

New parents

Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience. There's so much joy, and so many things to think about. Thankfully, with a little expert help, you'll soon learn to cope beautifully.

Footwear may not be the first thing you think of with a newborn baby, but foot health is still important. One look at their tiny, delicate feet should convince you of that. We want to help you by arming you with knowledge for now and the future.

Child development

Watching your baby grow is a magical experience. Just remember each child is unique and develops in their own time. There's no need to rush things, just sit back and enjoy each stage while it lasts. They're only young once!

This section will help you understand how your child develops and their foot care needs at each stage.