Does My Baby Have Flat Feet?

So you are worried about your baby's feet. When should my baby wear shoes? What kind of shoes should she wear? My baby's feet look like flat pancakes, should I worry?? Here's the 411 on baby's feet.

I don't initiate shoe-wearing with babies until they are walking outside or at school. While they are cruising and learning to walk in the home I prefer them to be barefoot. This is so they can feel the floor/get sensory input from the floor. This allows the foot to strengthen and the arches to begin to develop. It allows them to use the foot and ankle for balance. It allows them to grip with their toes. It also allows me to evaluate the foot and ankle. Once they begin to walk outside they can wear shoes for safety. They can always wear soft shoes when they go outside if it is cold out.

Baby's feet are inherently flat and their ankles are overly flexible initially. As they begin to crawl and then pull up the feet and ankles begin to strengthen. Look at your baby's heels from behind and see if the Achilles tendon is straight. This will help you determine the stability of your baby's ankles. The arches continue to develop for several years. I consider the arch development along with ability to walk when I am deciding if a baby needs orthotics to support her feet.

Once shoes are appropriate the type of shoe depends on your child. A stiffer sole gives support to flat or floppy feet. Arch support is beneficial if the feet are flat as well. A good fitting shoe will prevent tripping or slipping especially on unlevel surfaces like grass or the beach.

If you are concerned about your baby's feet a PT can do a quick and easy assessment and make recommendations.