Your Toddler's FeetYour toddler will walk when he or she is ready. Try not to force the issue. Instead, watch your child's gait once he or she does being 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 podiatrist. If your toddler's feet are fat, flat, and floppy - don't worry. This is usually normal. Also, many toddlers toe-in, but most outgrow the problem.
When Foot Care Is NeededDuring a foot exam, the podiatrist will watch your toddler walk. If a gait problem exists, the doctor works to identify its cause.
- To help with flat feet, special shoes or orthotics
(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's 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 FeetThe foot's 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 podiatrist's care, however, the risk of future bone problems is reduced.
When to Call the PodiatristIf 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 foot doctor. Also, call the podiatrist anytime an injury causes serious swelling, localized tenderness, limping, or ongoing night pains.
Treating an InjuryIf 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 fracture, a cast, splint, or brace may be needed to hold the bone in place during healing.
For Fit FeetIf your child's feet grow correctly and stay healthy, foot problems are less likely later in life. For healthier young feet, be sure your child's shoes fit. Outline your child's 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.
Pay attention to your child's feet and the shoes you put them in. Remember the tips below:
- Check your child's 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't 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's feet.
Foot & Ankle Conditions
As a
podiatrist in Delray Beach FL
our office specializes in
pediatric (child) foot care in Delray Beach, Palm Beach County, FL. If you would like to schedule a consultation for pediatric foot care with the foot doctor please call our office today at (561) 498-9888 or
request an appointment online.