Not too long ago, you may remember hearing about Katie Holmes' daughter, Suri, being the center of tabloid fodder after she was spotted donning a pair of neutral-colored d'Orsay pumps, when she was only three years old. 

Of course, people had many different opinions about whether a little girl should be wearing high heels at such a young age, but her mother, Katie rose to her daughter's defense, saying during an interview with Access Hollywood, "Like every little girl, she loves my high heels." 

We can't really blame Katie for that statement, because we all know that most little girls like to wear mommy's shoes and pretend to be a big girl in front of the mirror.  But while playing dress up is normal, letting your child stroll about wearing high heels during a shopping trip is not. 

Here are six reasons why high heels are not suitable for a young child: 

  1. Physical risks, including tightening of the heel cord and changes in the growth plate.
  2. Wearing high heels impacts an adult's body posture.  We can only imagine what kind of damage can happen to a child with developing bones.
  3. Greater susceptibility to arthritis at an early age due to the pressure wearing heels can put on the knees, ankles, and joints.
  4. Possibility of developing plantar fasciitis, which is also known as the shortening of the muscle.
  5. Likelihood of developing bunions.
  6. Injury!  Children love to run, and doing this in heels makes them more prone to injuries and accidents, due to falling or tripping.  This can result in a broken bone or sprained ankle.

 

These are just a few of the reasons why allowing a toddler to wear high heels for an extended period of time is not safe. 

So, what is the right age to wear high heels?

Unfortunately, the right age to let little girls wear heels is unknown.  But here's an interesting fact: it isn't even recommended for adults!  

According to Dr. James W. Brodsky, a Dallas orthopedic surgeon and past-president of the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society, healthy shoes for kids are similar to healthy shoes for adults.  This includes shoes that are not too high, have plenty of width in the toe area, use a soft, natural material to conform to the shape of the foot, and have good support. 

Yes, we know stilettos can make you feel tall, thin, and sexy, but they're only recommended on occasion.  So try to avoid them, because it can really cause more damage than good.