If your child's feet grow correctly and stay healthy, foot problems are less likely to occur later in life. Exams of the feet and ankles ensure that your child's bones are growing correctly. Your podiatrist can make sure that your child is walking right. This helps prevent future foot problems. Handled early it is easier to treat.

Your Baby's Feet
The size and shape of your child's feet change quickly during their first year of life. Because a baby's feet are flexible, too much pressure or strain can affect the shape of the foot. You can help ensure normal growth by allowing your baby to kick and stretch his/her feet. Also make sure socks and shoes are not constricting.

Your Toddler's Feet
Your toddler will walk when he/she is ready. Try not force this issue. Instead watch your child's gait once he/she begins to walk. Pay attention to your child playing with other children...does your child sit while others play actively? If so, discuss this with your doctor. If your toddler's feet are fat, flat and floppy - not to worry, this is normal. Also, many toddlers toe-in, but most outgrow this problem.

Your Child's Active Feet
The foot's bone structure is pretty well formed by the time your child reaches 7 or 8 years old. But if the growth plate (area where bone growth begins) is injured, the damaged plate may cause the bone to grow incorrectly. Under doctor's care, the risk of future bone problems are reduced.

When Foot Care is Needed
During a foot exam, your doctor will watch your toddler walk. If a gait exists, the doctor will work to identify the cause.

• Special shoes or orthoses (custom made shoe inserts) are prescribed to help with flat feet.
• To correct mild toeing-in, your toddler may need to sit in different positions while playing or interacting in other sit down activities.
• Corrective shoes, splints, or night braces may be prescribed if your child's feet turn in or out a lot. These devices can help as the foot grows.

When to Call a Doctor
If an injury is mild, your child will more than likely not remember it for very long. But if your child keeps complaining of pain, have the injury checked by the the doctor. Also check with the doctor if an injury causes any serious swelling, localized tenderness, limping, or ongoing night pains.

Treating an Injury
If a bone or growth plate is damaged, your child may need to use crutches to take weight off the injury as it heals. In case, of a fracture, a cast, splint or a brace may be needed to hold the bone in place during healing.