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Why Your Child's Foot Care Is Important
Having strong, healthy feet allows your child to walk, run, and play. If your child鈥檚 feet form correctly, certain types of back and leg pain can be avoided later in life. Exams of the feet and ankles ensure that your child鈥檚 bones are growing correctly. Your doctor can also make sure that your child is walking right. This helps prevent some future foot problems. And if a problem does arise, it can be treated early鈥攚hen it is easiest to treat.
Your Baby's Feet
Both the size and shape of your child鈥檚 feet change quickly during the first year of life. Because a baby鈥檚 feet are flexible, too much pressure or strain can affect the shape of the foot. To help ensure normal growth, allow your baby to kick and stretch his or her feet. Also, make sure shoes and socks don鈥檛 squeeze toes.
Possible Foot Care
Talk with the doctor if you are concerned about your baby鈥檚 feet. Many infants have feet that appear to turn in. This may worry you, but it is rarely a problem. The shape of the foot changes as your child grows. Your child鈥檚 doctor may suggest a gentle stretching exercise to aid proper development.
Your Toddler's Feet
Your toddler will walk when he or she is ready. Try not to force the issue. Instead, watch your child鈥檚 gait once he or she does begin to walk. Does the toe touch down instead of the heel? Does your child always sit while others play actively? If so, talk with the doctor. If your toddler鈥檚 feet are fat, flat, and floppy鈥攄on鈥檛 worry. This is usually normal. Also, many toddlers toe-in, but most outgrow the problem.
When Foot Care Is Needed
During a foot exam, the doctor will watch your toddler walk. If a gait problem exists,
the doctor works to identify its cause.
- To help with severe flat feet, special shoes or orthoses (custom-made shoe inserts) may be prescribed.
- To correct mild toeing-in, your toddler may need to sit in a different position while playing or watching TV.
- If your child鈥檚 feet turn in or out a lot, corrective shoes, splints, or night braces may be prescribed. Wearing these devices can help the foot as it grows.
Your Child's Active Feet
The foot鈥檚 bone structure is pretty well formed by the time your child reaches age 7 or 8. But if a growth plate (the area where bone growth begins) is injured, the damaged plate may cause the bone to grow oddly. With a doctor鈥檚 care, however, the risk of future bone problems is reduced. An x-ray can show damage to a bone growth plate.
When To Call the Doctor
If an injury is mild, your child probably will not remember it for very long. But if your child keeps complaining of pain, have the injury checked by a doctor. Also, call the doctor anytime an injury causes serious swelling, localized tenderness, limping, or ongoing night pains.
Treating An Injury
If a bone or growth plate is damaged, your child may need to use crutches to take weight off the injury as it heals. In the case of a fracture, a cast, splint, or brace may be needed to hold the bone in place during healing.
If The Shoe Fits
If your child鈥檚 feet grow correctly and stay healthy, foot problems are less likely later in life. For healthier young feet, be sure your child鈥檚 shoes fit. Outline your child鈥檚 foot when he or she is standing. Place the shoe over the tracing to see if the shoe is big enough to hold the foot comfortably. When possible, have your child鈥檚 feet measured at a shoe store.
For Fit Feet
Pay attention to your child鈥檚 feet and the shoes you put them in. Remember the tips below:
- Check your child鈥檚 shoe size often. Make sure there is space between the toes and the end of the shoe. Wearing shoes that are too small cramps the foot. This may affect foot function.
- Don鈥檛 let your child wear hand-me-down shoes. Because most shoes mold to the foot, wearing hand-me-downs can affect the shape of your child鈥檚 feet.
