The first year is important for the development of your child’s feet. Children’s feet are soft, which makes them easy to damage if too much pressure is applied or their shoes are too small. Many problems later in life can be prevented by caring for your child’s feet when they are young.
Babies like to wriggle their feet and toes, so it makes sense not to wrap their feet. Make sure jump suits and socks are not tight and restrictive. Your baby’s feet will grow quickly. Feet will double in size before your baby is 12 months old, so socks that fit one week may not fit the next. A local podiatrist says to leave buying footwear until your baby is walking. Even the soft pre-walking shoes can restrict natural mobility. Let your baby go barefoot to help with muscle development and coordination.
You can talk with a local podiatrist for specialist footcare advice.
The CABOOLTURE mums & little ones website (www.mumsandlittleones.com), includes information about nutrition, breastfeeding, physical activity, safe weight gain and loss, and other health issues for mums. For more information about CABOOLTURE mums & little ones, contact Clancy Wall on 0402 791 315, email clancy.wall@uq.edu.au.
CABOOLTURE mums & little ones
happy healthy families
Merendi Leverett-Bowler
Mother of Two and Exercise Physiologist
As published in CabooltureNews 05/12/2007
