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If you notice anything that looks unusual to you before your child begins walking, come see us as soon as possible. Some deformities correct themselves in time, but many do not.

 

Infants should not wear shoes. Their feet are growing so quickly that any footwear, even booties, can quickly become restrictive and prohibit normal growth and development.

 

You should never force a child to begin walking before he or she is ready, including using baby walkers. When the time is right, they will walk.

 

Once your baby begins walking, carefully monitor their gait. Are they tripping regularly? Do they persistently walk on tip-toes? Are their toes pointed inward when they walk? Again, sometimes kids grow out of these abnormalities, but you should never assume the problem will get better on its own—bring them in for an evaluation.

 

Although babies and toddlers on the move should still walk barefoot indoors, you’ll need to get a good pair of shoes to protect them outdoors. Shoes should always fit properly—you may need to replace them 3 or 4 times per year (or more) in order to keep up with their growth. Never hand down footwear from big siblings, either—shoes that have already conformed to one foot can damage another.

Check shoes for wear. If the treads are grinding down unevenly, it could indicate a biomechanical issue that needs to be corrected.