Caring For Your Baby’s Feet

WHETHER IT IS A PRECIOUS BABY'S FIRST STEPS OR A QUICK-MANEUVERING TEENAGER'S WINNING SOCCER GOAL, HEALTHY FEET AND SURE-FOOTEDNESS MAKE MILESTONES IN A CHILD'S LIFE POSSIBLE. STARTING AT BIRTH, PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO YOUR LITTLE ONE'S FEET FROM PROPER GROOMING TO GAIT. YOUR ATTENTION WILL ENSURE A SOLID FOUNDATION AS YOUR YOUNGSTER GROWS. AFTER ALL, THEIR FEET ARE MEANT TO LAST A LIFETIME!

Your Baby's Feet

The human foot-one of the most complicated parts of the body-has 26 bones, including an intricate system of ligaments, musles, blood vessels, and nerves. Because the feet of young children are soft and pliable, abnormal body forces can cause deformilities.A child's feet grow rapidly during the first year. For the reason, podiatric physician, also known as podiatrists, consider the period to be the most critical stage of the foot's development.

Walking Warning Signs

Once your baby is on the move, assess your child's walking pattern or gait. its is not uncommon for little ones to walk on their toes. however, persistent toe-walking is not normal. An APMA podiatric physician can examine a child to make a proper diagnosis and determine the best treatment option. Abnormal walking, including toe-walking can lead to foot and ankle problems later in life. flat footedness beyond the early years can lead to bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, and tendon problems. Children with a family history of foot problems should see a podiatric physician once the child begins walking to ensure the feet are developing normally.

Toe Walking

Other common childhood walking irregularities include in-toeing and metatasus adductus (MTA). In-toeing occurs when one or both feet point toward the other due to a rotation in the foot, leg, thigh, or hip. offten children will sit on their legs in a W-shaped position, which can also cause feet to point inward. Excessive tripping, like many walking irregularities, can often reveal a more serious condition such as in-toeing. Ways to combat in-toeing at home include having the child stand in ballet's first position with heels touching and feet pointing out war, as well as sitting with legs "crisscrossed."Because it should never be assumed that a child will grow out of a foot condition such as in-toeing, an APMA podiatric physician can prescribe more aggressive treatment options such as a cast or brace.Metatarsus adductus, a bending of the foot inward at the instep resembling the letter "C," in also prevalent among beginning walkers. Tripping is also a warning sign of MTA. In addition. parents need to pay close attention to their child's foot formation and walking pattern. An MTA with a series of casts and in more serious cases surgery.Because not all children are quick to tell their parents when are experiencing foot pain. parents should pay attention to unspoken signs such as a child'd limping, tripping or talking their shoes off frequently, or unevenly worn footware. The feet of young children may be unstable, which can make walking difficult or uncomfortable. A thorough examination by an aPMA podiatric physician may detect an underlying condition which may require immediate treatment or consultation with another specialist.