About Baby Foot Growth

At birth, a baby̵7;s foot contains mostly soft cartilage without sturdy bones, according to the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists. As a child grows, the cartilage slowly changes to bones. Care for these important appendages to help your little one enjoy a lifetime of comfortable and healthy mobility.

  1. Special Baby Feet

    • At birth, a baby's feet does not have arches like the more mature feet of older children and adults. Instead, a baby̵7;s feet have additional fat in the arch area, says Parents.com. Gradually, baby feet will grow and develop arches, which appear at about age 2 1/2.

    Caring for Baby Feet

    • During the first year of life, baby feet grow quickly. In the time between birth and the first birthday, a baby̵7;s feet will grow to almost half of their future adult foot size, according to the California Podiatric Medical Association. Cover your little one̵7;s feet loosely with non-restrictive socks, if necessary. Allowing a little one to kick and move freely in a variety of positions throughout the day will enable feet to grow and become stronger in preparation for walking.

    Shoes and Babies

    • As a baby grows and matures, he will advance to the walking stage. Most babies begin walking between the age of 8 and 18 months. At first, a baby̵7;s feet will still be flat as a baby begins taking steps. Walking will gradually strengthen the feet, which helps the arches appear, according to the Better Health Channel. Allowing a child to walk barefoot for the first few months helps arches develop and enhances balance and coordination skills. After a few months of walking, fit your child with shoes to provide protection from sharp objects. Watch foot growth carefully once you put your child in shoes. It may be necessary to size up every couple of months.

    Possible Foot Issues

    • Because of rapid foot growth, watch growth progress carefully. If you see growth or developments that seems unusual or abnormal, consult your physician immediately for assistance. The high degree of flexibility in a baby̵7;s feet make them exceedingly malleable. While this flexibility is conducive for growth, it can also lead to injury from twisting or distortion. A baby may not even experience pain from this type of injury, so monitoring your baby̵7;s feet is important. Some babies don̵7;t develop an arch in their feet. This issue, however, does not generally require special treatment, according to the KidsHealth website. In-toeing is also common in babies, but most youngsters outgrow this condition without intervention.

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