Life's Foundation...Your
Baby's Feet
(An article provided by Dr. LaPan of Sidney,
MT)
Looking
at those ten pink toes and those tiny feet, it is hard to believe
they will carry your child approximately 65,000 miles during his
or her life. Knowing how to guard against damage to normal
development, knowing the importance of foot care, the relationship
of foot health to good body posture, proper foot gear and watching
for signs of abnormality, will save your child countless hours
and miles of unnecessary discomfort, Many of the little
things that grow into big things can be corrected early by consulting
with your podiatrist.
The
average child begins to bear weight around the age of nine
to fifteen months. Until this time shoes are not too important.
However, many foot doctors recommend soft to semi-hard soles to
reduce the danger of injury to the foot.The important thing
to remember is that all footgear be large enough to avoid
any pressure on the developing structure of the foot.
Signs
of foot problems may include knock knees, poor posture, in-toeing
or out-toeing, heels running over or wearing in unusual places.
Other noticeable signs are awkwardness in walking or running,
no interest in athletics or play, the heel of one foot is striking
the inner ankle bone of the opposite foot, ingrown nails, excessive
sweating, hammer toes, bunions, and warts. When there is a family
history of foot problems, it is important that a periodic examination
be made by your podiatrist.
Some
points to keep in mind:
- Remember
to teach your child good foot hygiene.
- Keep
their feet clean and dry.
- Always
cut toenails straight across.
- Don't
hand down shoes, especially as they grow older
A special thank you to Dr. LaPan for his excellent article.
Dr. LaPan practices at the Sidney Health Center in Sidney,
MT.
Disclaimer: Any and all information found on this website, is
not meant to be a substitution for professional care.
