Top 5 things to consider when designing an accessible kitchen for wheelchair users.

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Many people find themselves needing accessible homes for themselves or family members. There are approximately 30 million Americans using wheelchairs and the number of people who need accessible homes will continue to increase as disabled and aging people are finding more ways to remain living in their homes. One important way to increase independent living is making a home accessible to an individuals personal needs. Home modifications can increase safety, accessibility, and independence for people who want to live independently.

There are now more resources to help people stay in their homes living independently. Modifying an individuals home is one of the most important steps to assist someone in remaining in their home if they have physical limitations. One area of the home that is most important to accommodate is the kitchen. The goal of accommodating a kitchen is to create a barrier-free design to give access to all people whether abled or disabled. Some of these solutions are custom ordered items; however, some things can be accomplished by remodeling a kitchen a little differently.

With all the advances in accessible design, a beautiful and efficient kitchen can be designed to be accessible for everyone that lives in a home whether or not they are disabled. When designing a kitchen for people who use a wheelchair there are several things to consider for easy access. Kitchens require meticulous planning because every inch counts and appliances and cabinets come in fixed sizes and there may be limited usable space that limit what can be remodeled. Kitchen design has typically been based on the “work triangle” layout where the sink, fridge and stove have a short walking distance between them. For an accessible kitchen, it’s ideal to have several work areas that can be accessed from a single position. When space is limited choosing options may require a trade off of the most important accommodations.

Designing or remodeling a kitchen requires balancing the requirements for storage (cabinets), workspace (counters) and appliances. When making a kitchen accessible you have to consider all of these things and put everything within reach.

5 things you should take into account when designing an accessible kitchen are:

1. Work Surface (Kitchen Counters) 

• Typical countertops are positioned at a height of 36”. To make countertops accessible the work surface should be installed at a 34” height.
• Accessible counter workspace is 30” wide and countertops should be 28”-34” above the floor.
• Adjustable counters should have a range of 28” to 36” in height.
• Make sure countertop is not obstructed by base cabinets to allow for knee and toe clearance.
• If you are able to set the countertop height, this should be determined early in the design. The countertop will dictate location of storage cabinets and appliances.
• Ideally you would measure individual comfort ranges for working in the kitchen for whom the kitchen is being accommodated.
• Adjustable tables can be used before install or remodel to determine the ideal height to find dimensions that work for each member of the family. Often you need to use the space to see how it will best meet your needs prior to committing to a permanent design.
• Pull-out shelves coming out of the countertop is another good way to create easily accessible working space to prepare food.

2. Kitchen Sinks        

• Sinks that have open space beneath the sink that provides wheelchair or walker accessibility will allow users to access the sink. Knee clearance for a sink needs to be at least 27” high, 8” deep at the knees or 11” deep for children.
• The drain should be placed in the rear of the sink so the piping underneath will not prevent a person in a wheelchair from rolling underneath. Pipes should be insulated or enclosed to protect legs from hot pipes.
• Set water heater to a maximum heat low enough that will prevent burning.
• Using a single lever faucet is a lower cost option to making the faucet accessible. There are also touch control faucets that allow the user to turn on and off the faucet with one touch.  Also, installing the faucet to the side of the sink may make it more accessible for some people.
• Installing sliding drawers on both sides of the sink can provide easy storage of cleaning products or long rather than wide items.

3. Kitchen wall cabinets 

• For lower cost option, cabinets can be lowered to meet individual users needs.
• Although more costly, electric powered adjustable cabinets, which lower and raise the cabinet height with a touch of a button allows the cabinets to become accessible to all users.
• Place often used items within reach such as spice rack and cutting boards.
• Use cabinet accessories that make the cabinets more accessible such as pull down shelves, adjustable shelves, drawer dividers, lazy susan cabinet, et cetera.
• Use looped cabinet pulls instead of knobs that are operable with a closed fist. With these you do not have to twist, grasp or use pinching motions.
• Put most used items in low drawers such as the dishes, pots/pans, glassware, et cetera.
• Other useful cabinet hardware may be: full extension drawers, touch-release drawers and doors, swing-up hardware that allow cabinet doors to hinge at top and stay open, et cetera.

4. Doorways & Hallways 

• Installing a 36” wide door makes it accessible for a wheelchair or walker user. However, 42” width is more comfortable.
• Using swing clear hinges on the door creates a clear opening
• Using a lever-style door handle makes it easier for them to be opened.
• Clearance for a pass through kitchen should be 40” wide.
• Clearance for a U-shaped kitchen needs to have a width of 60″.

 5. Appliances 

• Install appliances lower. They should be approximately 31” from floor
• Electric cooktop with staggered burners with controls on the front will eliminate having to reach across hot burners.
• Raising the dishwasher 6” to 8” off the floor and making the dishwasher accessible from either side will increase access.
• Appliance controls with a maximum operating force of 5 lbs are standard accessibility requirements.
• Side-hinged oven door which opens the door to the side will allow a seated cook to get closer to opening.
• Using a bottom-drawer freezer style refrigerator makes the freezer accessible.
• If you cannot visit a showroom to test out any of the appliances, find a supplier that will allow you to return the item if it is not a good fit.
• Consider which way you want the appliance doors to swing open and make sure you can access the appliance without contorting your body.
• A cooktop separate from wall oven is best so they both can be installed at a comfortable height.
• Tactile controls such as raised buttons or dials with directional indicators that click into position at each setting can be used to increase safety.
• Appliances with touch pad operation are great for people who have limited finger strength and control.

5 tips for buying a new appliance

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Here are five pieces of advice for anyone buying a new appliance. As an engineer with over 30 years in the trade I give serious consideration to how easy it will be to get repaired, and to the quality of aftersales service and spare parts costs. I also attach great importance to the quality of service and advice you get from the retailer whilst in the process of buying – and the attitude you are likely to encounter if something goes wrong.

Tip 1: Which Appliance Brand?

The brand will determine the quality of the appliance, how repairable it is, and the quality of repairs both in, and out of its guarantee. Some brands have well established aftersales service with directly employed engineers. Others have aftersales service run by third parties using networks of private unrelated engineers, which can result in patchy service. Brands sold in the UK for many decades tend to have the more established service, and relatively new brands, particularly budget ones from China, or household names more known for TVs tend to rely on third parties.

Research and list brands to consider and brands to avoid. Don’t just ask a sales person for an appliance with specific features because you may be presented with one that has them all but from a brand you shouldn’t be buying. Tell them you are looking at specific makes first.

Cost is undeniably a major consideration, and may prevent many from buying “the best”, but even with a low budget you can still choose from the appliance brands with the better reputation, and avoid those with poor reliability or poor repair-ability records. For ideas about which washing machine brands to look at read Which is the best washing machine to buy?

There is no single appliance brand which can be recommended above all others for everyone. None are perfect, all have their pros and cons. If money is no object though you can’t beat Miele. But if working to a more average budget of £300 – £500 there are brands to look at in the link above.

Buy washing machines retailers page (useful for all appliances and products)

Extra TIP: Consider taking advantage of the Which? £1 offer to properly research the best brands, the most reliable appliances – Best Buy and even Don’t Buy recommendations.

Tip 2: Don’t go on past experience or reputations

Don’t loyally buy the same brand because it’s been OK. Brands can change any time, and one that was good several years or more back may now be very different. Some household names with decades of respected trading in the UK, have been bought out by global companies who changed them. Sometimes they’ve bought a brand with a high reputation only to move it into a lower price range and reduce build quality accordingly. Bosch and AEG for example were once very high quality appliances but are now competing in much lower price ranges because their owners already have other brands covering the higher price ranges.

Bosh now compete with the cheapest brands, and have washing machines under £300. I’m not saying avoid them, in fact Bosch get good recommendations on some models from Which? Best Washing Machine Brands and are reported to be quite reliable. It’s just that they are now in a completely different class to that of a 15 – 20 year old Bosch washing machine, so if you want one of the same build quality you will need to try someone like Miele instead.

Tip 3: Don’t go on price alone

Although it’s fair to say that price is an indicator, you can’t reliably judge the quality of an appliance on price. It would be great if more expensive always meant better but it doesn’t – and not just in regard to appliances. You can pay a lot of money for a top model bristling with features, but not particularly well made, when for the same money (or little more) you could buy a considerably better one with less specifications. This article explains why a more expensive appliance doesn’t always mean a better quality one – Is a more expensive washing machine a better washing machine?

Tip 4: Consider how long the appliance is guaranteed for

How long is the guarantee?

The difference between the length of guarantee you get with different brands can be a game changer, especially if there’s not a lot of difference between them other than the guarantee. Appliances usually come with just the standard 1 year guarantee and some come with 5 year “Parts” guarantees (though these are not always as good as they appear – read I have a 5 year parts guarantee should I use it?) however, some have 2 year parts and labour guarantees, and others have 3, 5 or even 10 year guarantees.

Not all manufacturer guarantees are equal –

• Miele – 2, 5 or 10 year guarantees
• John Lewis Brand Appliances – 3 year guarantee – all other brands come with minimum of 2 year guarantee
• Bosh appliances – 2 year guarantee
• Other brands have varying guarantees – ask about the guarantee, don’t just assume it’s only 1 year

5 TIPS FOR BUYING A BACKPACKING TENT

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There are a lot of tents out there. How do you choose between them? Backpackers come in different sizes and have different needs and preferences in a tent. In testing scores of backcountry tents over the past two decades, for reviews in Backpacker Magazine and this blog, I’ve seen the best and the worst—and gotten a sense of what to look for in a tent and how to help people pick out one they like. Here are my five simple tips for finding a tent you’ll love.

Sahale Camp, North Cascades N.P., one of my 25 favorite backcountry campsites.

#1 Read the Reviews

Yes, there are a lot of reviews in the ether and in print. Some of those authors know what they’re talking about; many have little experience. Find a source you consider authoritative and read them for details you can’t glean by simply checking out a tent in a store, like how well it stands up to wind and rain, and whether it has a problem with condensation buildup. See all of my tent reviews.

Death Canyon Shelf, Teton Crest Trail, Grand Teton National Park.

#2 Crawl Inside

Never buy a tent blind—that’s a formula for disappointment. After reading the reviews and identifying at least a few tents that sound good to you, visit stores that carry them. Pitch the tent yourself to see how that goes. Sit and lie down inside it—ideally with your partner(s)—to see whether you consider the headroom and interior and vestibule space adequate. If you don’t like bumping shoulders in the tent when you’re in the store, you’ll really dislike it when you’re trying to sleep in the backcountry

Coyote Natural Bridge, Coyote Gulch, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Utah.

#3 Look at Details

Some little things matter more than others. See whether the rainfly overhangs the interior tent door, so that rain doesn’t drip inside every time you come and go. Check that door zippers move smoothly rather than sticking at corners. Make sure the rainfly doesn’t sag into the ceiling and walls of the interior tent when it’s pitched taut; if it’s even close, wind and rain will paste them together in the backcountry, and your bag and anything else that brushes those walls will get wet. Many backpackers insist on a freestanding tent, but I don’t: You’ll virtually always need to stake out a tent, anyway, to achieve a sturdy pitch in wind and weather, and non-freestanding tents are usually lighter. Lastly, look for a brand known for making good tents.

#4 Go Light

The tradeoff for a lighter tent is often either less space or higher cost (sometimes both). When considering space versus weight, ask yourself these questions: How much time will you spend in camp and potentially in the tent as opposed to carrying the tent on the trail? For example, do you often encounter wet weather or usually wait for good weather to backpack? Are you more of a weekend tripper and base camper (hiking less, more time in the tent), or do you prefer long, multi-day trips (hiking more)? Are you and your partner(s) big, strong people capable of carrying an extra pound or two, or small people (maybe including children) who should prioritize low weight over more space? My advice: However you answer the above questions, minimize all gear weight as much as you can—it will always make backpacking more fun. 

Johns Hopkins Inlet, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.

#5 Don’t Prioritize Price

Okay, cost matters, and you probably have a budget. But making it your top priority blinds you to more important aspects to consider. Seek out what you want in a tent first, then shop for prices. If you’re on a tight budget, you can still get a good tent, but you will most likely have to compromise somewhere—probably settling for something a little heavier; lightweight tents are more expensive. But if you have the means to splurge on a high-end tent (or any gear and apparel), it will be money well spent, making you more comfortable both on the trail (thanks to lighter gear) and in camp. Plus, a tent will typically last for many years. If you use it a lot, think of the value in terms of dollars spent per night of camping.

I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See my review of my five favorite backpacking tentsand all of my reviews by clicking on the Gear Reviews category at left or in the main menu, and my other Skills stories for more backcountry tips.

5 Tips for Buying Family Camping Tents

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Buying a family camping tent is like buying a vehicle: You should think about your family's needs and wants.

When it comes to vehicles, if you're going to be hauling children and their gear, you go for the minivan or SUV rather than the small, sporty car.

With tents, if you'll be backpacking your equipment long distances, you'll need the lightest-weight tent that will still protect you from the elements. You might choose one- or two-person tents, and let each camper carry his or her own shelter.

But if you're driving to within a few yards of where you'll pitch your tent, and you want adults and children together, then you want a family camping tent.

Then, other questions arise. Will you be camping only during the summer? If so, you will be interested in a tent with plenty of mesh windows and vents. Most tents are made of some combination of mesh and nylon or polyester, with different combinations for different seasons.

Are you more interested in having an inexpensive place to stay near vacation destinations, or in having a back-to-nature experience? Will you break camp frequently and drive to new destinations, or will you pitch the tent once and spend the whole vacation there? The answers to such questions might help you decide whether you're more interested in how easy the tent is to pitch or in how spacious it will be.

Even if you're likely to use the tent only once a year, it's important to choose one that will make camping a pleasure for the whole family. Read on to learn more about your choices.

Here are some other ways to make camping easier:

• Easy access is important. Somebody will have to go to the bathroom at night. Someone will wake up early and slip out to watch the dawn. Do you want one door or two? How easily do the zippers work? How noisy are they?
• Letting moisture out of the tent is vital. Condensation from people's breathing and wet clothes and gear can gather inside a tent, with drenching results. Ventilation is important, especially in summer. Look for ceiling vents and plenty of mesh panels in doors and windows.
• Buy a rainfly. You'll need a separate, waterproof cover that goes over your tent but doesn't touch it. If your tent doesn't come with a rainfly, you will need to buy one. Even if it doesn't rain, the fly is important for keeping out ultraviolet rays. If you'll camp only in summer, you may want a fly that covers the tent's roof but doesn't come all the way down the sides, so there's more ventilation. The fly should be quick and easy to pitch.

Feeding Why Formula Feeding Was Right for Me

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One evening, soon after we’d made my second pregnancy public, we had some friends over for dinner. The wife of the couple, a close friend who had breastfed for the recommended year, asked if I was going to try and nurse, this time around. “I mean, why wouldn’t you at least try?” she asked, innocently.

This was a rather loaded question.

Twenty months earlier, when I’d entered the hospital to deliver my first baby, I had arrived armed with a new nursing bra, a weathered copy of The Nursing Mother’s Companion, and the full intention to embark on a mutually advantageous, successful breastfeeding journey with my son. And then I gave birth, and all hell broke loose. First came the soul-crushing postpartum depression. Then latching issues. A nerve problem in my left breast. A supply problem in my right. Seven different “lactation consultants.” A tongue tie. A frenulectomy. A switch to “exclusively pumping” rather than nursing. A formerly rock-solid marriage straining under expectations and disappointment. A milk/soy protein allergy. And a partridge in a pear tree.  

Eventually, I threw in the nursing cover, packed away the pump, and began formula feeding. I was racked with guilt, but also infuriated at the lack of support for formula feeding parents, so I did what every other middle-class, overly-analytical mom in America does when they need an outlet: I blogged about it. I had stumbled on an unfulfilled niche, so the hits came fast and furious, and before I knew it I’d become the unofficial spokesperson for “breastfeeding failures” around the world. Obviously, when I got pregnant with my daughter, the questions inevitably began. Was I going to try breastfeeding again? Depending on the person asking and the day of the week, my answers would range from “of course!” to “hell to the no.” Both were honest. I truly didn’t know what I was going to do. I’d paid lip service to breastfeeding, claiming that I would have continued had I not faced all our problems. Now that I was facing the prospect of a clean slate, though, my view was murkier. 

As much as I did believe in breastfeeding, I felt I harbored some post-traumatic stress from our experience with our son, Leo. I knew it was irrational, but when I thought of nursing, I thought of pain, depression, frustration, craziness, and most of all, failure. My word associations with “formula” were salvation, ease, freedom. Along with those positive associations came others, too. Like selfish, lazy, unfair. Cheater.

I felt tremendous guilt over these emotions. I was a bloody hypocrite. Here I was telling random women all over the world that it was okay to choose formula, that a happy mom meant a happy baby, that there was no shame in not breastfeeding…but when it came to my child, this didn’t hold water. How could I justify not even trying with my daughter?

This brought a harsh truth to light. I’d claimed my blog, Fearless Formula Feeder, stood for feeding freedom; that I would fight for every woman’s right to feed their child as they felt fit. Reading through the past 16 months of posts, though, the focus was on women in extenuating circumstances--sexual trauma survivors, women with rare illnesses and conditions, cases of extreme postpartum depression and incompatible medications. There was little attention paid to women who decided to formula feed for less dramatic reasons, reasons like having a bad taste in your mouth from a bad breastfeeding experience with your son.

I decided I’d give it the old college try, but then the nightmares started. I dreamt of a trio of Macbeth-like lactation consultant witches, trying to force my baby onto my breast. Of a zombie version of me, submitting to an endless cycle of pump, feed, pump, while Leo cried neglected tears in the corner.

These dreams were stupid, and I knew it. Still, my subconscious refused to let it be. I started feeling obsessed with the decision, and it was coloring the latter half of my pregnancy. I felt like the guy in Spike Lee’s 25th Hour, just a day away from starting his prison sentence, which of course made me feel guilty.  A few of my friends were also pregnant with their second kids, and they all kept talking excitedly about tiny newborn clothes and sleepy newborn cuddles. I wanted to puke. I wondered if I was just missing the maternal gene.

Considering the bulk of parental responsibility for a newborn consists of feeding it adequately, it made sense that I felt defunct. According to all of the medical literature, all the websites, all the popular social media, I had failed to feed my first child correctly. It didn’t matter that breastmilk made him sick; there was no way a human could be allergic to its mother’s milk--I just hadn’t cut out enough foods from my diet. It didn’t matter that he couldn’t latch; if I’d forgone the bottle of formula to treat his jaundice, he would have breastfed successfully. It didn’t matter that he was tongue-tied; a quick snip should have fixed that, so I probably hadn’t tried hard enough to counteract his aversion to my breasts. It didn’t matter that I was drowning in depression and anxiety; breastfeeding should have improved my mood, and even if it didn’t, I should have pushed through for my son’s sake. It didn’t matter that he thrived on formula; that was simply good luck, and of course, there was still time for the repercussions to develop. And most of all, it didn’t matter that I felt with every bone of my body that formula was the right choice for our family. That made me selfish, ignorant, and irresponsible. It made me a bad mom.

Plus: Why It’s OK to Not Nurse Your Babies

It had been easy to brush that all aside once my peer group stopped breastfeeding, and once Leo grew and gave me a million reasons to feel proud of my parenting. Once my daughter was born, though, it was all going to start again, and this time it would be way worse. This time there were no excuses. If I chose to formula feed from the start, it wouldn’t be for her benefit. It would be for mine.

In the end, my only decision was to make no decision. I approached the situation like a science experiment. I would let my daughter lead the way, not push her to latch if she couldn’t, and not go to any heroics. I would let whatever happened, happen organically. No expectations.

I didn’t know what I wanted. I didn’t know what I hoped. I did know one thing, though. My daughter might not end up getting as much breastmilk as her brother had, but she would get something else Leo never got, in those first months: a real mother, one who be focused on her, rather than the number of ounces dripping out of a Medela pump.

Labor went quickly, the second time around. Singing along with Florence and the Machine’s “Dog Days,” about happiness hitting like a bullet to the head, I pushed through one contraction, and laughed my daughter Lucy into this world.

5 Kid and Toddler Superfoods

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It's a fact of life: Chips, cupcakes and lots of other not-so-nutritionally-noble foods are going to find their way into your child's mouth. Heck, if left to their own devices, a lot of kids wouldn't eat anything that didn't come out of a pizza or pasta box. But that's all the more reason to make sure the meals you serve up are packed with as much good stuff as possible. Parenting went to Rachel Beller, R.D., founder of the Beller Nutritional Institute in Beverly Hills, CA, a mom of four and an expert in eating for disease prevention, to get her top picks of true bite-for-bite nutritional powerhouses. Most important, they're also foods kids might actually eat. Add them to this week's shopping list!

Eggs
Eggs offer protein, and they're one of the few foods that naturally contain vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium. Eating protein at breakfast helps kids feel satisfied longer (no mid-morning hunger pangs).

Oatmeal
Research shows that kids who eat oatmeal are better able to concentrate and pay attention in school. Fiber-rich whole grains, like oatmeal, digest slowly, providing kids with a steady stream of energy.

Fruit
Any fruit is good for your child, providing essential vitamins and minerals. Fruit also has fiber, which keeps kids regular. To reap the nutritional benefits, aim to eat a variety of fruits, like berries, melon, kiwifruit and oranges

Nuts
Nuts are made up of healthy fats, which kids need for growth and development, as well as for heart health. Having a little bit of “good” fat in the morning gives your kids a burst of energy to keep them going.

Milk
Protein and calcium in dairy products provide fuel for the brain and body. Protein helps build brain tissue, while milk's calcium keeps kids' bones and teeth strong.

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Toddler Shoes

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Shoe shopping with a toddler today can feel downright overwhelming. First off, the fashion options are endless, from rubber to leather soles, flip-flops to cowboy boots to Crocs. At the same time, many toddlers are learning to take their first steps or have just learned how to walk, so they aren't so steady on their feet. As such, finding the right style and fit carries surprisingly high stakes, since kids without the right shoes can trip, fall, end up with stitches in their lip or worse. To avoid making some fatal mistakes on your next toddler shoe-shopping spree, heed these warnings and smarter solutions below.

Mistake #1: Choosing a stiff, sturdy shoe to protect a toddler's feet.
Why it's a bad idea: "Your feet have muscles to support themselves," says Katy Bowman, biomechanist and author of Move Your DNA. Stiff shoes weaken those foot muscles. The result: More stumbling and less endurance for long walks.
Instead do this: Look for a shoe that fully protects the foot from debris or rough terrain, but that has a flexible sole. "This allows the feet muscles to do their work," says Bowman. A good test: Try folding the shoes in half to ensure that the shoes are flexible.

Mistake #2: Choosing miniature versions of grown-up styles like flip-flops, kitten heels, slide-ons, and cowboy boots.
Why it's a bad idea: "Kids shoes should be designed with kids in mind and should allow kids to do what they do best: play," says Sharon Blumberg, footwear expert atCHOOZEShoes.com. "Many kids shoes today, especially the styles that are smaller versions of the women's shoes, do not have the features and benefits that are important for gait development." For instance: Seemingly benign features like slide-ons can force toddlers to have to "grip" the shoe with their toes so it doesn't slide off. This, in turn, can cause a host of problems down the road like back pain, knee pain, and beyond.
Instead do this: Avoid hard, tough soles and definitely avoid heels, flip-flops, high boots, and even Crocs. Look for a soft, flexible shoe that is fully attached to the foot, doesn't pass up over the ankle, and doesn't elevate the heel over the toe. "Think 'minimal interference with natural gait' while providing protection." says Bowman. "Consider how shoes work for the body, not for the outfit." Adjustable straps, extra padding, flexible uppers, and soft materials are also important. If fancy shoes must be worn, limit to a few hours like at birthday parties.

Mistake #3: Buying shoes slightly big so toddlers will "grow into them."
Why it's a bad idea: "Parents often want to buy bigger shoes because they assume they will last longer," says Blumberg. But that means the shoes don't fit -- which leaves your toddler vulnerable to trips and falls. As much as you're tempted to buy a 1/2 size bigger to make them last longer, don't.
Instead do this: Have your child properly fitted at a store, or else do it yourself: Download a shoe sizing chart from Pediped or their measuring app from your iPad. Then have your kid wear a pair that fits. Period. There should be a thumb's width between the end of the shoe and the big toe. Make sure the heel isn't slipping when he walks.

Mistake #4: Keeping toddlers in slippery shoes or booties once they're walking well.
Why it's a bad idea: For a toddler's first shoes, leather or canvas soles are fine. But once they're walking well, these types of soles do more harm than good, messing with their traction and their gait, says Bowman. 
Instead do this: Once toddlers have learned to walk, use soles that provide some grip.

Mistake #5: Assuming the shoes still fit fine if the toddler doesn't complain.
Why it's a bad idea: "Parents assume that their toddlers' shoes still fit as long as they don't say it hurts," says Blumberg. "But many kids do not speak up and are walking around in shoes that are way too tight."
Instead do this: Re-check your child's size every two months to ensure they haven't had a growth spurt and need a new pair. You can also gauge how things are going by seeing if their toes are rubbing up against the front of the shoe. If so, it's time for a new pair.

What shoe-wearing rules do you follow for your toddler?