How to Prevent Your Toddler Overlapping Toes from Getting Worse – Take Action Immediately!
Have you noticed your toddlers’ toes overlapping one other? Has your toddler developed blisters or corns due to the constant rubbing between their toes? I will show you how to prevent your toddler’s overlapping toes from getting worse with two effective approaches. The most important thing is to be proactive to prevent this condition from getting worse.
I cannot tell you how many parents regret having waited for their toddlers to “outgrow” their foot condition. Just so you know, this condition can affect any toe, but it’s most common in the second and little toe. There is nothing that you could have done to have prevented this condition, since the two reasons why overlapping toes occur are genetics and the position of the baby in the womb.
Do Your Toddler’s Toes Overlap One Another? – Be Proactive!
One of the first thoughts that comes to parents’ minds is how bad it is and whether they need to take action or not. Most parents hope that this condition goes away on its own and that they won’t have to undergo surgery to correct it. In most cases, the toes will straighten out as the toddler becomes a little older and begins to learn to walk.
If you notice that your toddlers’ gait changes and that the toes are overlapping one another I recommend taking action immediately. Please do not take the “wait and see approach” that some medical professionals seem to recommend since this can only lead to your toddler’s foot condition getting worse. If you leave your toddler’s toes untreated, this condition can cause extreme irritation, blisters, calluses, and corns. Let me show you an example of how this condition will look like if left untreated:
How to Prevent Your Toddler Overlapping Toes from Getting Worse
I have found a particular toe separator that has proven to be extremely effective when it comes to treating overlapping toes. This product is going to help straighten your toddler’s toes without surgery, at an affordable price. There are a lot of different products on the market but this toe separator has proven to be the most effective for toddlers with overlapping toes.
The Best Gel Toe Separator for Toddlers
This toe separator is going to help correct your toddler’s overlapping toes without surgery by straightening your toddler’s toes with gentle pressure. Parents love this gel toe-separator because it will keep your toddler’s toes in the correct position.
- Order the 6 PCS GloDeals Toe Separator on Amazon
- Each piece can be worn on either foot, they are not right/left specific.
- This gel toe-separator can be washed by hand in normal temperature water and can be dried naturally.
The Importance of Wearing the Correct Type of Shoes
Shoes that are too narrow at the front contribute to the development of overlaps, which is the main reason why this condition gets worse. Narrow shoes will squeeze your toddler’s toes together and make them more prone to rubbing against one another. You don’t need to provide your toddler with orthopedic shoes, just regular everyday sneakers that provide these two key features:
1️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature is going to prevent your toddler’s toes from rubbing against one another. It takes more than just ordering your toddler’s shoes in a wide (W) or extra wide widths (XW) to get the shoes with a rounder toe-box. There are certain shoe brands and shoe styles that provide rounder toe-boxes and will prevent your toddler’s toes from rubbing against one another.
Let me show you the difference between a shoe with a rounder toe-box versus one with a pointier one. These shoes are the same length and width, but fit very differently:
2️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows the toddler’s feet and toes from fitting deeply inside the shoes, preventing the toes from rubbing against the top front part of the shoes. Let me show you the difference between a shoe that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t:
The issue is that most parents don’t know how to find deeper shoes with rounder toe-boxes as shoes don’t come labeled that way. The good news is that I know exactly which shoe styles provide these two features from having fitted them before.
How to Figure Out Your Toddler’s Exact Foot Size – Get it Right!
I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home. In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot size and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.
Now that you know your toddler’s exact foot size, you are ready to see a selection of the best shoes to help prevent your toddler’s overlapping toes from getting worse. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases.
Best Shoes that Prevent Overlapping Toes – Round Toe-Boxes
These shoes are capable of fitting toddlers with medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW) feet.
Boys
- Order the shoe style RaveRun by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style M2P Journey 3.0 by Stride Rite on Zappos or Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Hook and loop closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Rave Run V2 Hook by New Balance on Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Robyne by See Kai Run on Zappos
- Breathable textile lining and cushioned insole
- Double velcro straps for easy on and off adjustability
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Ride 10 by Saucony on Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper for durability and breathability
- APMA Certified
- Traction pods on the outsole for serious grip
- EVA midsole for lightweight feel
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Wind Shield a/C by Saucony on Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths
- Leather and mesh upper
- Alternative closure for easy on and off adjustability
- Lightweight EVA midsole for cushioning
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 New-b V1 by New Balance on Amazon or the New Balance website
- Available in extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support your toddler walker’s needs
- Rubber outsole pods designed to stand up to daily wear and tear
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 990V6 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in extra wide widths
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Removable insoles
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Girls
- Order the shoe style RaveRun by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style M2P Journey 3.0 by Stride Rite on Zappos
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Hook and loop closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Rave Run V2 Hook by New Balance on Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 NEW-B by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Synthetic/mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Robyne by See Kai Run on Zappos
- Canvas upper
- Toe cap is durable for early steps
- Double velcro straps
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- APMA approved
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Ride 10 by Saucony on Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Non-marking traction pods to help improve stability
- APMA approved
- Toe cap for extra durability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Kya by See Kai Run on Zappos
- Leather and mesh upper
- Two adjustable hook-and-loop closures for easy on and off
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- APMA approved
- Toe cap for extra durability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- No-sew overlays
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 New-b V1 by New Balance on Amazon or the New Balance website
- Available in extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support your toddler walker’s needs
- Rubber outsole pods designed to stand up to daily wear and tear
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- No-sew overlays
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
Let me know if you are unsure about which specific shoe might work best for your toddler’s feet. I am happy to provide you with some alternatives:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Toddler Socks for Overlapping Toes – Seamless and Breathable!
Finally, I also wanted to let you know that the type of socks that you provide for your toddler plays a key role in keeping their feet healthy, especially if your toddler has overlapping toes. Socks that are too short can make your toddlers’ toes more prone to overlapping and rubbing against one another. On the other hand, socks that are too long are going to end up bunching up below your toddler’s feet and create discomfort, so you need to make sure that your toddler wears the correct sock size.
In addition to providing your toddler with the correct sock size, you need to find a pair of seamless socks to allow your toddler to spread and move the toes comfortably.
Have you found a particular shoe style that has worked well for your toddler’s overlapping toes? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
Can’t believe that you are recommending kids shoes with huge heels and thick padded soles. Wider toe box -yes ! But not those soles which wreck kids gait and arch. There are so many barefoot kids shoe brands out there that offer flat and flexible shoes which are best for kids feet- Splay, Wildling, Tikki, Vivobarefoot etc. I’m guessing you are probably paid by Nike though to recommend their foot-deforming ‘shoes’
Hello Luna,
First of all, none of the shoes I recommend in this article are made by Nike. Before you jump to conclusions please make sure that you read the whole article. I don’t usually recommend Nike shoes for toddlers because their shoes tend to fit on the narrower side and are not available in different widths such as wide (W) or extra wide (XW) widths.
If you prefer minimalist shoes for your children that’s fine, there’s nothing wrong with those shoes, the same way that there is nothing wrong with shoes that are more substantial and supportive than minimalist shoes.
Yuppie Karen thinks she knows best because her little Fintan wears them. 🙂