How Fast Do Toddlers' Feet Grow?

Toddlers' feet can grow incredibly quickly. I remember one summer, when my then-two-year-old daughter jumped two sizes in exactly two months. For moms on a budget and those who lack the time to shop, this can be extremely frustrating. When buying shoes for a toddler, it's important to know: just how fast do a toddler's feet grow? The answer to this question can be the difference between buying a size five and a size eight children's shoe.

Most toddlers follow a similar rate of foot growth, but your toddler's exact foot growth rate will depend on her genetics, her environment, and-- perhaps above all else-- her probable adult height. If a large height and big shoes run in your family, you can bet that your toddler will be wearing a size nine toddler shoe before her third birthday.

As a general rule of thumb, based simply upon my own observations and my experiences talking to other moms, I would estimate that most toddlers' feet grow at a rate of about one half-size per three months. This rate of growth continues between six months and two-and-a-half years of age, but your toddler's foot growth is likely to slow down by age three.

If you buy your toddler a pair of shoes that are slightly large, or approximately one half-size bigger than his current pair, he'll probably be able to wear them for about four more months.

Based upon age, a very rough estimate can help to determine the average shoe size for your toddler. A nine-month-old baby will usually wear a size 3.5 shoe, but will grow to a size 4 to 4.5 by 15 months of age. Between 15 months and 18 months, this will increase to 4.5 to 5, and an average child between 18 and 24 months of age will wear a size 5.5 to 6.5.

By your toddler's second birthday, his shoe size is likely to reach 7 to 7.5, and this will usually increase to 8 or 8.5 by two and a half. By three years of age, most toddlers are well-established at a size of 9 or more, and may grow to 9.5 or 10 before their third birthdays.

Although your toddler's shoe size is almost never a reason to be concerned, you might consider mentioning it to his pediatrician if his foot growth seems to have stopped entirely for a significant period of time, or if his shoe size is significantly smaller than average for his age group. This could be an early sign of a growth disorder, which may respond to early treatment.