Here - Health Promotion Agency

How your child will grow
F EET – AND
FIRST SHOES
Babies’ and small children’s feet grow
very fast and it’s important that the
bones grow straight.
• The bones in a baby’s toes are soft
at birth. If they’re cramped by
tight bootees, socks, stretch suits
or pram shoes, the toes can’t
straighten out and grow properly.
So keep your baby’s feet as free as
possible. Make sure bootees and
socks leave room for the toes,
both in length and width. If the
feet of a stretch suit become too
small, cut them off and use socks
instead.
•
Don’t put your child into proper
shoes until he or she can walk
alone, and keep them only for
walking outside at first.
• When you buy shoes, always have
your child’s feet measured by a
qualified fitter. Shoes should be
about 1 cm (a bit less than 1 /2 in)
beyond the longest toe and wide
enough for all the toes to lie flat.
•
Shoes with a lace, buckle or velcro
fastening hold the heel in place
and stop the foot slipping forward
and damaging the toes. If the heel
of a shoe slips off when your child
stands on tiptoe, it doesn’t fit.
• Buy footwear made of natural
materials, i.e. leather, cotton
or canvas, as these materials
‘breathe’. Plastic shoes make feet
perspire and may cause fungal
infections and abrasions.
•
Have your child’s feet measured
for each new pair of shoes.
Children under four years old
should have their feet measured
COMMON FOOT PROBLEMS
When children first start walking, it is normal for them to walk with
their feet apart and to ‘waddle’. It is also common for young children to
appear to be ‘bow-legged’, ‘knock-kneed’ or walk with their toes turned
in or out. Most minor foot problems in children correct themselves. But
if you are worried about your child’s feet or how he or she walks in any
way, talk to your doctor or health visitor. If necessary, your child can be
referred to a chiropodist, orthopaedic surgeon or paediatric
physiotherapist.
•
Bow legs – a small gap between the knees and ankles when the
child is standing up is normally seen until the child is two. If the
gap is pronounced or it does not correct itself, check with your doctor
or health visitor. Rarely, this could be a sign of rickets – a bone
deformity.
•
Knock knees – this is when a child stands with his or her knees
together and the ankles are at least 2.5 cm (1 in) apart. Between
the ages of two and four, a gap of 6–7 cm (2–2 3 /4 in) is considered
normal. Knock knees usually improve and correct themselves by the
age of six.
•
In-toeing (pigeon-toed) – here the child’s feet turn in. The
condition usually corrects itself by the age of eight or nine and
treatment is not usually needed.
•
Out-toeing (feet point outwards) – again this condition usually
corrects itself and treatment is not needed in most cases.
•
Flat feet – if when your child stands on tiptoe the arch forms
normally, no treatment is needed.
•
Tiptoe walking – if your child walks on tiptoe, talk to your doctor
or health visitor.
every 6–8 weeks. Those over four
should have their feet measured
every 10–12 weeks.
• Check that socks are the right
size and discard any outgrown
or misshapen socks. Cotton ones
are best.
•
Don’t keep shoes for ‘best’ as
your child may outgrow these
without having proper wear.
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