Children's feet
Your Children's Feet
During the first 2 years of a child's life their feet grow rapidly, reaching almost half their adult size. By 12, a child's foot is about 90 percent of its adult length. This is why podiatrists consider the early years to be the most important in the development of feet.
Your Baby's Feet
The feet of young children are soft and pliable, which means abnormal pressure on their feet can lead to deformities.
Some suggestions to help ensure the normal development of your baby's feet are:
- Provide an opportunity for your baby to exercise their feet. By covering your baby loosely, you allow your child to kick and perform other related motions, preparing their feet and legs for walking.
- Try to avoid placing your baby on their stomach for prolonged periods as this can place excessive strain on their feet and legs.
Starting to walk
When your child first begins to walk - usually between the age of 10 and 18 months - shoes are generally not necessary, unless a problem is detected. Delay buying first shoes as long as possible - until your child has been walking independently for several weeks
When you do go to purchase shoes, they should be fitted by an experienced shoe fitter.
Growing up
'Don't worry - they'll grow out of it," is a common response to parents' concerns about the development of their child's feet or legs. In some cases this can be true, however as children grow their feet undergo various stages of development.
Don't dismiss your child's consistent complaints of aches as 'just growing pains'. The reason for persistent aches and cramps can sometimes be due to poor foot or leg posture.
Your child may appear to have 'flat feet' for a period of time, which can be a normal stage in their development. However, there may be some cause for concern if your child remains flat-footed.
Sitting/sleeping positions may also affect your children's feet and leg development. In particular, try to discourage your children from 'frog sitting' with their knees turned in and feet turned out, sleeping on their tummies with feet turned out, or sleeping on their front with bottom in the air and the feet tucked under.
Advice to Parents
If you have any concerns about your child's foot health and development, seek the advice of a Podiatrist, particularly if you notice any of the following:
- Awkwardness when walking or running
- Unusual wear patterns on your child's shoes
- Peculiar walking patterns such as feet 'turning out' or 'turning in'
- The presence of corns, callus or splits in the skin
- Painful or tired legs after activity
Note however that most foot and lower leg problems in children do not cause pain.
First Shoes
Ideally, your child's first shoes should gently ease them into walking, protecting their feet from knocks and bruises but still allowing them to grow. To do so, they need to give gentle support without being too restrictive.
Professional fitters are trained to know which shoe style fits which feet. Take their advice! Whenever you decide to buy your child's shoes make sure the shop you choose has a range of shoes which suits your child's particular stage of development.
For older children
Because your children spend the best part of their early years in school shoes, the right fitting shoe is important.
Here are some tips to remember when you are buying shoes for your children:
- Stand up to tie laces and check width
- Check length from the longest toe
- Never buy a shoe too large
- Shoes must be flexible at the ball of the foot
- cup and arch regions should be firm and not compress with pressure
- Never wear hand me down shoes
- Always wear correctly fitted socks with shoes
Less than 30% of children have feet of 'average' width. That's why it is so important to measure the width of your child's feet as well as length.
If your child is prescribed orthotic inserts by a podiatrist, they will be able to advise you on the best shoes.
