How Often Should I Measure the Length of My Toddler’s Feet
More often than not, Kenyan moms, like many African mothers measure their baby’s feet by placing it on their hands. It is not the typical way but is an easy one to help monitor the growth of your child’s feet. The standard estimated growth rate is as follows:
- 2cm each year for children aged 0-2 years measured after every 2 months,
- 1.5cm a year for the ages between 2-5 years after every 3 months,
- 1cm a year for the ages of 6-11 years measured after every 6 months.
Mothers and caregivers should understand that each baby has his own pace of growth.
Nurturing Your Baby’s Feet Development
Your baby needs healthy feet as unresolved complications can turn out to be a risky later in life. Most babies start walking by 8-18 months, but that doesn’t mean their foot bone structure is strong and fully formed.
Your child needs encouragement and support, so be aware of the right signs to look out for when they are healthy. Such are:
- Normal arching shape once muscles develop
- Improved walking as the lower limbs development continues to occur.
- Observing the position of the knee
- Feet are shaping up
- Babies’ feet is growing quickly through the foot measuring
- Noticeable foot changes and walking associated mileage.
Feet Problems in Children
Most toddlers are flat-footed, when they first start walking. This is because their feet bones, muscles and ligaments are not well-formed. Mothers are required to allow the children walk barefooted to aid and encourage balance, posture and coordination, so put so squeaky shoes you bought back on the rack for now.
Save for a child being flat-footed at 2 years, you should be more concerned with the below problematic symptoms which can bring a complication later on in a child’s life:
- Toes formed abnormally
- Difficulty in walking
- Painful ingrown toenails
- Unusual growths on the feet
- Noticing a shorter leg or feet
- Crying due to pain while walking
- Severe in-toeing or out-toeing
- Limited functioning of baby’s feet
- Baby not walking at two years
Concerned About Delays?
If you feel worried that your child may not be developing as fast as he should, or are unsure, seek the attention of a pediatrician or health professional for advice on the best way forward.
Feet development is as important as any other part of the body. Nurture and care for your baby’s feet to be strong and healthy.
Disclaimers:
Be careful when using any products mentioned on this website. We hold no regulations for such products or their providers.
#Please note that development differs from one child to another
# Content intended for educational purposes only, and should not be substituted for medical advice from your doctor.
Last reviewed January 2019
Sources: foothealthfacts, bisgaardshoes, formthotics, nation, thebump
