(HealthDay News) -- When shopping for a young child's shoes, it's important to consider more than just how cute the miniature footwear is.

The American Podiatric Medical Association offers these tips for shoe-shopping parents:

• Your child's feet may grow quickly, and sock and shoe sizes can change rapidly.
• Poorly fitted shoes can cause irritation and pain, so always measure the foot before a shoe purchase and make sure shoes feel comfortable.
• Don't share shoes or have your child wear secondhand shoes.
• Once your child begins wearing the shoes, frequently inspect the heels, which often wear most quickly. Uneven wear may indicate a foot problem.
• Let your child participate in shoe shopping.
• Always try on shoes while wearing socks or tights.
• If feet are different sizes, buy the size that fits the larger foot.