Feet & shoes

Good shoes and support are important. Children’s feet grow very quickly. You may find you need to increase the shoe size often.

It is normal for children to appear bow-legged between 1 and 2 years.

Feet

Your toddler may look as though they have flat feet. Arches often do not appear until 2–3 years of age. Some children are pigeon-toed (feet/toes turn inwards) for the first 3 years.

Talk to your Plunket nurse, other well child health provider or doctor if they continue to look bow-legged or pigeon-toed, or you are concerned about your child’s feet.

Shoes

It is best to have shoes fitted when you buy them. Make sure there is plenty of room for your child’s toes and that the shoes are wide enough for all their toes to lie flat.

Shoes should be long enough, but not so loose that the foot slips in the shoe. Also check that socks are the right size.