If you have kids, chances are you’ve seen or will see the biggest hit of the summer: Finding Dory. Baby Dory got lost from her parents and couldn’t remember how to find them. Fortunately for her she just needed to “keep swimming” to reach the end. Your baby’s feet are pretty much the same. Even though there many be something slightly off, just have them keep swimming because chances are the problem will correct itself over time.
Common Baby Foot Problems
These are some of the more commonly seen baby foot problems that will typically correct themselves over time without any intervention whatsoever:
- Flatfoot: All children are born without arches. The arches will normally develop around age 3-5, but sometimes they don’t. It’s not usually a cause for concern unless your child also complains of pain or discomfort. Having flat feet won’t necessarily make your child clumsier or more prone to falls.
- Intoeing: Another very common pediatric foot problem is intoeing or “pigeon toeing”. This is when one or both of the feet curve inwardly instead of pointing straight ahead. It can be alarming for parents because it’s not the way feet are supposed to be, but don’t worry. Most cases of intoeing correct themselves before the age of 8. If your child is tripping excessively, limping, or complaining of pain, you should get it checked out by a doctor.
- Toe-walking: This is a very common way that many toddlers walk before the age of 3. It shouldn’t be a cause for concern unless it persists and the child is otherwise healthy.
- Overlapping Toes: This is a condition that occurs when one of the toes (usually the smallest one) crosses over the one next to it. There isn’t a well-understood reason why this occurs. Sometimes this will correct itself over time, but not always. Your doctor may try to treat the toe conservatively, but in some cases surgery is required.
It’s always unnerving to think that there could be something wrong with your child’s feet, but try not to worry. Instead, call Dr. Peyman Elison and Dr. Viedra Elison at (623) 584-5556 to schedule an appointment with us at Fixing Feet Institute in Surprise, AZ.
