As a parent, you want the best for your children. You want to feed them nutritious meals that will help them grow, send them to schools where they can learn more about themselves and the world around them, and buy them clothes that protect them from rough weather. 

Shoes are no different. Getting shoes for your kiddos that support their feet and give them the ability to run and play is very important. 

However, with an endless supply of shoe options in online stores and local shops, how do you know which brands or styles are truly good for your little ones?

We’re here to help answer all your questions and more. When it comes to healthy feet, we want what’s best for your little ones as they’re learning and growing! 

How To Choose Podiatrist Recommended Shoes For Toddlers

Perhaps you regularly visit your family doctor for check-ups to see how your little ones are doing. You want to make sure they’re growing and developing as they get older. 

The same is true about feet. You want to make sure your children’s feet are healthy as they grow. However, most people don’t have regular check-ups with podiatrists, who are experts when it comes to feet. 

If you don’t ordinarily talk with a podiatrist about what shoes are beneficial for your babies and toddlers, you may have some questions.

Podiatrists look for a few things when it comes to shoes. Some essentials include:

• The Heel of a shoe should support your child’s foot so it should be pretty firm. Since the heel supports the ankle and the rest of the leg, it’s important that it doesn’t bend when the foot pushes against it. 

• The Toe of a shoe, on the other hand, should be extremely flexible. Unlike the heel, the toe of a shoe should bend when you stretch it, so your kiddos can bend their toes. 

• The sole of a shoe should be supportive and firm. Additionally, the outer sole should be supportive as well and have good traction. 

What Does APMA Approved Mean?

Even with a few tips about what an ideal shoe should be like, it can still help to have some sort of indicator of a great shoe versus a not-so-great shoe when you’re shopping. 

One of the standards in the footwear industry is the APMA Seal of Acceptance. According to the APMA site, the Seal of Acceptance “recognizes products that have been found beneficial to foot health and of significant value when used in a consistently applied program of daily foot care and regular professional treatment.” 

In other words, the Podiatric Seals Committee, which is comprised of a team of podiatrists, evaluates a specific shoe and determines whether it “allows normal foot function and promotes quality foot health.” If it meets all the requirements, then the committee grants the shoe a Seal of Acceptance. 

You may be wondering, “But how does a shoe actually earn an Seal of Acceptance and become APMA Approved?”

Well, the first thing is that APMA is not a testing laboratory so they don’t test all shoes on the market. In fact, they only evaluate shoes that companies send to them. 

So what does that process look like? We’re glad you asked! 

When a company wants a certain shoe to be approved by APMA, they must submit an application for each individual product. According to the APMA site, application materials include: 

• Original trade package items produced for market for each submission
• Application/processing fees
• Evidence regarding composition, physical and chemical properties, evidence of safety and efficacy, quality control systems utilized by the manufacturer
• All labeling, package inserts, advertising, and promotional materials
• Objective data from laboratory studies

This may seem like a lot of work but it just goes to show that companies who seek out the APMA Seal of Acceptance truly do care that their shoes are good for the health and development of their customers. 

Questions About APMA Approved Shoes

Now that you’re up to speed about APMA approval and the Seal of Acceptance, perhaps you have a few follow-up questions. After all, you want to make sure you know how to find exactly what you’re looking for! 

• When is a good time to start seeking out APMA approved shoes? 

Maybe you’re wondering when your toddler should start wearing supportive shoes that aren’t just fun to look at. Often, baby shoes and toddler shoes are made more for the cuteness appeal and don’t really help your child as they’re learning to walk. 

One way you can solve this problem is by buying shoes that are APMA Approved and adorable at the same time. It’s not unreasonable to want shoes that your little ones can be comfortable in while still looking stylish. 

At Livie & Luca, we offer a collection of shoes for boys and girls that are both cute and APMA Approved. 

• How quickly will my child’s feet grow? 

Perhaps you’re wondering how quickly your children’s feet are going to grow at different stages of their development. The average child goes through nine shoes sizes in the first three years. If this is the case, then doesn’t that seem like a lot of shoes to go through? 

Also, what if you have several children? Will you be able to find good shoes for all of them? 

At Livie & Luca we believe that shoes are associated with memories and can be passed down from child to child. When they have comfortable and durable shoes, children have the ability to interact with their surroundings and enjoy playtime.

Through walking, running, and playing, children learn about the world around them. For this reason, we created heritage shoes of extraordinary comfort and durability, expertly designed to last. 

• What are the differences between indoor and outdoor shoes? 

Maybe you’ve been wondering whether there’s a difference between indoor and outdoor shoes for your kids. In some cases, shoes for younger children who don’t walk yet – such as babies – aren’t designed for much wear and tear since they won’t really be used and would be considered indoor shoes.

The main difference between indoor and outdoor shoes is the traction. For new walkers and toddlers, it’s important to find outdoor shoes tailored for walking around and playing. 

Shoes for first walkers should have certain elements, such as:

• Wide toe boxes
• Front toe caps
• Nonslip outsoles

Shoes for toddlers and young children should be able to support more rigorous activities, such as running, jumping, and skipping. 

Stock Up on Your Favorite APMA Approved Toddler Shoes

Maybe you’re worried about how some shoes are more likely to be APMA approved than others. 

Well, the good news is that the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) grants its Seal of Acceptance to any product that meets their requirements. Due to this, you can buy APMA approved running shoes as well as sandals and boots. 

At Livie & Luca, we have a variety of APMA Approved running shoes for boys and girls. Some great options include the Reeve Sneaker, Lynx Sneaker, Ridge Eco Sneaker, and the Ravine Eco Sneaker. 

These shoes are excellent options for kids who love playing and having a great time. 

On the other hand, maybe you’re looking for some sturdy boots or adorable sandals. The great news is that we have a large variety of shoes that are APMA Approved! Some of our favorites are the Maestro Boots, Ali Boots, Posey Classic Sandals, and Paz Classic Sandals. 

We offer all these shoes and more in a range of sizes because our ultimate goal is to provide footwear for your little one’s needs that they enjoy wearing. 

Check out the different types of APMA Approved shoes we offer for kids and enjoy shopping!