Child Foot Care

The first few years of life are when your baby’s feet are most susceptible to injury if they aren’t looked after correctly. Made of delicate and flexible cartilage, babies are born with only 22 bones in each foot, which will increase to 26 by the age of 5. Throughout this period, it is essential to have proper child foot care to reduce any problems later in life.

In looking after your child’s feet, you might want to include (1) allowing your child to run barefoot on a daily basis to exercise both feet and toes, (2) washing feet properly and drying them well even between the toes, (3) looking out for any problems such as blisters, (4) cutting the toenails regularly to avoid becoming ingrown, (5) avoid wearing shoes constantly, (6) have your child wear socks ensuring that these aren’t too tight as this may restrict the feet from developing to their fullest and (7) check your child’s feet regularly just in case.

It’s absolutely true that the longer your child learns to walk without shoes, the more it will allow his/her feet to develop more naturally and strengthen without any restrictions. But once your child begins to wear his/her first shoes, do ensure that both the length and width are of the right size (extra room might help in case socks are needed) for more comfort. Choose ones that have secure straps such as Velcro or buckles to hold the heel in place. Note that toddlers’ feet grow to two full sizes a year up until they are about 4 years old and measuring it every six to eight weeks might be helpful for you. Feet also tend to grow faster in warmer climates.

There are also some signs to look out for as some children might encounter foot development problems in the future. These are (1) flat feet, (2) toe walking, (3) an arch form when your child stands on tiptoes, (4) intoe-ing and outtoe-ing or feet turning inwards or outwards and (5) talipes or clubfoot when one or both feet bend inwards or downwards. If in doubt, speak to your child’s pediatrician.

Other foot problems, but minor can also include athlete’s foot (most likely to happen if your child swims a lot and if feet aren’t dried properly), blisters (caused by new or tight-fit shoes), hand-foot-and-mouth-disease and verrucas (small warts that have a black speck in the middle, often very painful but can be treated. This is usually picked up at swimming pools).

And who ever said that looking after your child’s feet was easy?

Helpful Resource:

www.babycentre.com