Babies’ feet will grow and develop normally regardless of whether shoes are worn. It is beneficial to have your child walk barefoot while inside as this can help to strengthen the overall foot. The toes grip the floor to maintain balance, and this may help to accelerate the walking process. Warmer weather may encourage you to allow your child to walk outside without shoes. This may provide the opportunity of feeling the sand or grass on the feet. Many parents choose to have their children wear non-slip socks in the house when they have tile or wood floors, and this can be helpful in preventing unnecessary falling. When the weather turns chilly, it is important that the first pair of shoes have a sturdy but flexible sole, and the foot can be properly supported with traditional laces or velcro straps. If you would like additional information about what type of first shoes to buy for your baby, for good foot development in babies, please confer with a podiatrist.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot development in babies, contact one of the podiatrists of Bayshore Podiatry Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Good Foot Development in Babies

  • Make sure their shoes fit properly
  • Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
  • Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
  • Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
  • Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
  • Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
  • Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
  • Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

If you have any questions about foot development in babies, please feel free to contact our office located in Tampa, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A
Achilles Tendon
Ankle Pain
Ankle Sprains
Athlete's Foot
Arthritic Foot Pain
B
Bunions
C
Corns
D
Diabetic Foot Treatment
Diabetic Shoes
F
Flat Feet
Foot and Ankle Fracture
Foot and Ankle Surgery
Foot Orthotics
Foot Pain
Fungal Toenails
G
Geriatric Foot Care
H
Hammer Toes
Heel Spurs
Heel Pain
I
Ingrown Toenails
K
Keryflex™ Nail Restoration System
L
Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction
Leneva Injections
M
MLS Laser Therapy
N
Neuromas
P
Plantar Fasciitis
N
Plantar Warts
S
Sports Medicine
W
What is Podiartist
Wound Care Treatment