- a firm, comfortable fit both lengthways and widthways
- rounded toe
- plenty of room for the toes
- flexible, flat sole
- heel support
- laces, straps or similar to prevent too much movement or slipping of the foot inside the shoe.
Flat feet in children
The sole of a normally developed foot has an arch, called the medial arch, formed by muscles and ligaments. For the first two years, your child’s feet will seem to have fallen arches. Flat feet are normal in a young child due to weak muscle tone in the foot, a generous padding of fat and loose ankle ligaments that permit the foot to lean inwards.
As your child masters walking, the ligaments and muscles will strengthen and the fat pads in the arch area won’t be so noticeable. By around five years of age, your child should have normal arches in both feet.
Feet that turn inwards
Many toddlers walk ‘pigeon-toed’, with either one or both feet turned inwards (in-toeing). In most cases, this is simply a sign of developing posture and balance, and should resolve by itself (without the need for medical intervention) somewhere between the ages of three and five years.
If the in-toeing is severe, seems to involve the leg and hip as well as the foot, or isn’t improving by the time your child is around one and a half to two years of age, see your podiatrist for assessment. Excessive in-toeing may be caused by a variety of underlying difficulties, such as hip joint problems.
Feet that turn outwards
Very occasionally, toddlers walk with their feet turned outwards (out-toeing). This tends to be more common in children who were born prematurely. In most cases, out-toeing resolves by itself as posture and balance matures, but see your podiatrist if you are concerned.
Symptoms of feet problems in children
You should see your doctor or podiatrist if you are worried about your child’s feet or gait. Problematic symptoms may include:
- abnormally shaped toes
- ingrown toenails (that persist or are painful)
- bunions or other deformities
- stiffness in the foot
- limping
- the child complains of pain while walking, or favors one leg over another when walking
- severe in-toeing or out-toeing
- flat feet beyond the age of five years
- a sudden change in the way your child walks
- if your child isn’t walking at all by two years of age.
Where to get help
- Your doctor
- Pediatrician
- Podiatrist
- Pedorthist
- Physiotherapist