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When you consider the health of your child, you probably don’t put much thought into their feet. But there are quite a few conditions that can affect infants, toddlers, and children if proper foot care and hygiene aren’t maintained. Our New Haven County and Fairfield County podiatrists Dr. Joel Segalman, Dr. Stephen Lazaroff, and Dr. Brittany Ciaramello at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC are sharing some tips regarding how to keep your children’s feet healthy.
Proper Pediatric Foot Care
The bones in an infant’s feet contain soft cartilage, and those bones won’t fully develop until they reach their late teens. They are also born with flat feet because arches don’t develop until the child is 2 or 3 years old.
Toddlers need to spend time each day walking barefoot to allow them time to wiggle and move their feet around to develop the muscles in the feet.
Because children’s feet grow quickly, particularly during infancy, the shoes and socks they wear allow them room to move. If they don’t, it’s time to shop for a larger size. Shoes and socks that are too tight put added pressure on your child’s feet, which can cause developmental problems.
Another thing to take into consideration is your child’s bedtime. Your child’s bedtime habits could have an effect on their development. When you tuck them in, be sure they can move their legs and feet. If you tuck your toddler or infant in too tightly, it can limit their movement and affect the growth of their feet.
It’s also important that your child’s feet are kept clean by washing them with soap and water each day, making sure to get in between the toes and thoroughly dry them. If your child’s feet get exceptionally sweaty, use talcum powder to absorb excessive sweat.
If you or your child is experiencing pain or other issues with your feet, don’t hesitate to contact the offices of Dr. Joel Segalman, Dr. Stephen Lazaroff, and Dr. Brittany Ciaramello at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC.
We serve both New Haven County and Fairfield County areas. Contact us today to schedule an appointment by calling our Waterbury office at (203) 755-0489 or our Newtown location at (203) 270-6724.