How a child's feet grow at the age of one

An important criterion for determining whether a child's feet are growing is his physical condition and the level of his physiological development.

Clubfoot in preschool children: types, signs, symptoms and degrees

When a boy's parents are diagnosed with a foot deformity, some mothers are happy that thanks to this defect their child cannot be drafted into military service. At the same time, they do not worry about the fate of the boy, since this is not just a cosmetic defect, but there is a risk of developing diseases of the musculoskeletal system and even internal organs in adulthood. When a child takes his first steps, hardly anyone pays attention to the flat feet because we know that they can have a layer of fat (if the child himself is very chubby). The diagnosis of flat feet in preschool children is made in the third or fourth year of life, when the skeleton is most actively forming. The diagnosis does not mean that the child will suffer from discomfort while jogging or standing in one place for the rest of his life. If the first signs of the disease are recognized in time, effective treatment is possible.

Flatfoot – what is it?

Mothers often notice that their toddlers constantly try to get into the stroller while walking. It hurts when running, walking and jumping because the missing indentation in the foot has no cushioning effect. The flattened arch of the foot (misalignment) leads to changes in the ligaments and bones. Over time, damage to the kneecap, hip and spine occurs.

It is not uncommon for a child to not have an indentation before the age of two. This is where the fat pad is located, which replaces the bulge required in adults. Flat feet in toddlers should not be noticed until they are three years old. Until then, parents are recommended to let the child walk on uneven ground, preferably barefoot, so that the bones form properly and the muscles and ligaments are strengthened. Allow the child to walk on toes or heels - a kind of special training, without the use of medical devices or complexes.

General information

Clubfoot in children is the most common orthopedic pathology in pediatrics, which is manifested by a reduction in the height of the arch of the foot. Clubfoot can occur in children from birth (3 % of cases) and affects 24-32 % of children between 2 and 4 years of age, 40 % of children up to the age of 7 years and 50 % of adolescents up to the age of 12 years.

The active formation of the arch elements in children occurs gradually with the onset and increase of the load on the foot. The critical period for the development of flat feet is between the ages of 8 months and 1.5 years, when the child begins to stand and learns to walk. At a young age, all children have physiological flat feet due to age-related anatomical and functional features: cartilaginous bone structure, more flexible and stretchable ligaments and weak muscles. With normal development and increase in muscle strength and endurance, the condition spontaneously returns to normal by the age of 5-6 years. With certain disorders, children develop flat feet, which leads to a sharp decrease in the shock-absorbing potential of the foot, increasing the load on other elements of the musculoskeletal system with damage to the knee and hip joints, spinal deformities and dysfunction of internal organs.

Classification of flat feet in children

The foot has a longitudinal and transverse arch that support muscles and ligaments that balance the body, distribute and absorb the shock load of walking, running, and jumping, and increase axial force. In orthopedics, a distinction is made between longitudinal, transverse and combined flat feet. Children are more likely to have longitudinal flat feet with flattening of the longitudinal arch and extension of the foot, with the entire surface of the sole touching the ground. In children with transverse flatfoot, the length of the foot is shortened and the forefoot rests on the heads of all metatarsal bones.

Flat feet in children can be congenital or acquired. The congenital form is quite rare and is associated with malformations of the bony structures and the musculoskeletal system of the foot. Acquired flat feet in children can be static, traumatic, rebound, or paralytic, depending on the cause. Static flat feet occur most often in school-age children in whom static and dynamic foot loads and muscle tone do not match.

What should be the first footwear,
the right footwear for your child

The most important factor is that the shoes should not be used, just new. Of course, it is tempting to give a younger child shoes after an older sibling, because the first shoes, boots or ankle boots are rarely worn and the child quickly outgrows them. But podiatrists and pediatricians warn that the practice of inheriting shoes from older siblings can lead to health problems.

Even wearing a shoe occasionally causes it to adapt to a specific child's foot. The product takes the shape of the first wearer's foot. Therefore, certain nuances may not be suitable for another, younger child; constant wearing leads to discomfort, friction and pressure in the foot area. This is especially important if these shoes are intended for autumn or winter, as the child may get injured while wearing them. Another problem is that used shoes are usually already stretched and offer less support to the feet. This not only poses a risk of falls, but also leads to foot deformities.

Good advice when choosing shoes for a one-year-old child

To choose the right first shoes for your child, there are some helpful tips and recommendations.

• Children's shoes should be light and made of breathable material. Ideally, they should be made of natural leather or fabric (cotton fabric). The insole and all internal components should be made of the same materials.
• Do not buy slippers that are too soft, sandals, or shoes made of very hard materials.
• When deciding which shoes to buy in a children's store for a child's first steps, it is important to pay attention to the structure and attachment of the foot and ankle. These should be well secured. This is achieved through high, rigid support at the rear and a solid closure that securely fixes the ankle area but does not pinch it.
• Good 'real' shoes have a small, wide heel that helps distribute weight evenly across the entire foot area. In the first shoe models, the heel should not be more than 5 mm. By the age of two it can reach 5-10 mm.

Children up to two years old should not have insoles unless they are special orthopedic shoes recommended by an orthopedist for therapeutic purposes. During this period of life, fat pads accumulate around the child's foot and serve as a natural support. They are located in precisely defined areas of the foot so as not to cause deformation and flattening of the arch of the foot.

If the shoe is built too heavily, the design will not accurately match the anatomy of the foot, increasing the risk of foot deformity. Another argument against the use of supinators in children's shoes is that supinators hinder muscle training by supporting the areas and tissues where the arch of the foot is formed.

What methods are there to treat and prevent growing pains?

In most cases, a light massage and encouraging words are enough to get the child to sleep. Children with more severe pain often stop complaining after regular administration of a moderate dose of ibuprofen. If the child wakes up several nights in a row, in this case the painkiller can be given before bedtime. This reduces pain sensitivity so that the child can sleep peacefully through the night. After two or three pain-free nights, the child should no longer receive the medication.

You can make an appointment with a pediatric cardiologist or pediatrician by phone: 65-51-51 or at the reception.

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O-shaped deformities in children

Varus or O-shaped foot deformities can be seen in a child who stands with heels and toes together. In this position, the knees are clearly bent to the sides and there is a distance between them that depends on the strength of the bend. With this type of malformation, the knee joint itself grows unevenly, stretching the ligaments and disrupting the ankle and hip joints. In severe cases, the femurs twist outward and the shins twist inward. This results in a foot deformity in which the child's feet rest on the outer edge of the foot, with the heels pointing inward and the toes pointing outward. Clubfoot and gait abnormality develop, the child cannot fully bend the knees and the gait becomes irregular.

The condition is rarely congenital; the causes of acquired deformities can be the same as those of X-shaped limb curvature. The most common, however, are rickets and premature foot positioning in the child, especially if the child weighs a lot. Due to the child's body and head weight, which is not adequate for the load-bearing capacity of his still quite elastic bones and joint surfaces, a compensatory curvature of the legs develops, which allows the excessive loads to be distributed more optimally.

Developmental leap at the age of 1 year

55 weeks – world of programs

The first signs of accelerated growth appear around 51 weeks, at 11 months of age, and peak at 53 weeks.

There are major changes in the child's mental development. It's ready to explore the world of software. While it previously perceived the world in terms and sequences (one event following another), it now understands the meaning of 'if-then': an event that occurs later depends on what happens now.

The child also perceives a series of actions as a single event. It understands that a dirty plate is placed in water, washed with a sponge and wiped with a towel, and all this is called 'washing up'. The toddler knows what it means to get dressed, sit down to eat, go for a walk, go shopping.

It tries different solutions for different tasks.

• The child is easily upset because his mood changes frequently.
• He may cry more often.
• The infant is moodier than usual
• He doesn't leave your side at times - his separation anxiety increases, which also affects his sleep.

Daytime sleep is often disrupted during the jump, and sleep duration is generally shortened. Children of this age wake up earlier in the morning than usual.

Because sleep means separation from you for a yearling, he may begin to resist going to sleep. Falling asleep is often delayed and the child sleeps restlessly.

It's important to maintain a predictable routine.

To get through this time, maintain consistent bedtime and wake-up rituals, avoid overtiring your child, maintain a quiet vigil before bed, and schedule daily naps by the hours.

Check your emotional state. If you are anxious, tense or nervous, the baby will pick up on these emotions. Be calm and confident before bed. Then it will be easier for your baby to let go of you.

Developmental leaps in a baby after one year

65th week – a world full of rules

At 14-15 months old, your baby learns to think about different ways to achieve goals and the consequences of his decisions. In order to get what it wants, it begins to emulate others, becomes grumpy and whines. You may notice that your child sometimes becomes aggressive when trying to convince adults to do what he or she wants.

The symptoms of accelerated growth are the same as last time:

• Frequent mood swings, outbursts of anger
• Child finds it difficult to detach himself from negative emotions
• Jealous of mother, refusing to let go
• Fluctuating appetite
• Restless sleep

During this period, sleep may be disturbed due to the emergence of discipline problems. The child tries to behave towards sleep to get what he wants: 'I want to stay awake longer - I will protest if I am put down', 'I want mommy to be with me at night - I will scream , get out of bed or cry.

Caution: Once the child sees adults reinforcing this behavior, it becomes a habit. Your goal is therefore to set clear rules for sleep.

75th week – the world of systems

During this growth phase, which occurs around the 17th month, the child learns the concept of 'systems'. For example, that his family is different from his friend's family, that his cars are not the same as another boy's on the playground. Your baby is starting to understand the differences and is interested in exploring everything around him.

The child also learns to understand that he or she can decide how to behave: to help, to be patient, to be fair, to take care of someone, or vice versa. From this age, the child begins to form values and norms of behavior.

At the end of the jump you will notice that the child is calmer and more confident, plays more independently and lets go of you more easily. It understands that when mom leaves, she always comes back.

What your child is used to expecting from a nap at this age will influence his relationship to rest later in life. At this age, he is testing the limits of what is allowed. And this is especially true when it comes to sleep. That's why it's important that you remain consistent and show your child what is allowed and what is not. It itself has no idea about it. That is exactly the job of parents.

Rules to help your child walk easily and on time

1) Follow the pediatrician's recommendations, i.e. make sure your child is examined by a trauma surgeon to rule out possible congenital hip dysplasia. Give your child vitamin D. Especially in autumn and winter. A deficiency of this vitamin leads to a disease – rickets. This disease causes pathological softening of the bones and various skeletal deformities. Children with rickets should not learn to stand or walk.

2) It has been proven that breastfeeding supports the development of the child's musculoskeletal and nervous system better than artificial feeding.

3) Outdoor walks should be done in all weather conditions. Start with 30 minutes per day and increase to two hours per day in two sessions. Fresh air strengthens the immune system, makes the body more resilient and helps the baby to develop properly.

4) Massages can be started at a young age. In many children's clinics there is a practice where a specially trained specialist gives children a general firming massage. This is intended to relax hypertonic muscles. If a child tries to stand up before sitting down, this indicates high muscle tension. This condition should be treated with massage and the child should not be allowed to stand up. Otherwise, deformation of the skeleton may occur. If this is not possible in the clinic, there are many instructional videos on the Internet that show in detail how such a massage is performed.

5) It is also good for your child to do light exercise. For example, you can do the following exercises:

– Lay the child on their back, take their foot in your hand and use your thumb to draw the number eight on the foot.

– Stretch the foot. Gently press on the ball of your foot so that the foot flexes; then rub the ball of the foot on the outside of the foot to stretch it.

– Starting position. Slowly and gently bring the elbow of one hand to the knee of the other hand, five times on each side. This exercise strengthens the child's abdominal muscles very well.

Baby's physical development after one year

Weight and height are the basic parameters that determine the physical development of the one-year-old and older child. These are determined by your pediatrician at every routine checkup. You can also measure your child's weight and height yourself:

• For children under 2 years of age, it is common practice to measure growth while lying down. However, if your child is already standing securely, you can also use a growth meter while standing.
• The weight of a child under 2 years of age should be measured on a pan or floor scale. You will be weighed without shoes or clothing (only with tights or an empty diaper).

Table of height and weight of children after one year (according to WHO)

The table shows the average height and weight of boys and girls aged 1 to 2 years. Deviations to one side or the other are not always an indication of pathology and may be genetic.

After the first year of life, a child's height and weight no longer increase as quickly as in the first 12 months. On average, boys are about 2 centimeters taller and 1-2 kg heavier than girls.

Neuropsychosocial development of the child after the first year of life

When your baby is one year old, he is actively exploring the world around him, and the more he learns, the more he wants to touch, feel and understand it. It likes to imitate your movements and facial expressions. Your child takes an active part in family life in their own way. Don't be afraid to give him something he can do on his own. He will be very proud of himself when he shows you that he has completed a task.

After one year, your child is very active in his development. Your child surprises and delights his parents with his intelligence and curiosity. In this way, the child is already able to recognize the connection between the actions of adults and the consequences to which these actions lead. The child tries to imitate his parents: flip the switch and light the lamp, press the button on the television and watch interesting pictures. If he succeeds, he will be happy to show off his skills to the adults.

When your child is old enough to become independent, there is little you can do. But even if you come to terms with his 'self-determination', remember: Even a very energetic child who has just started walking should under no circumstances be left unattended. So remember to be within reach.

The one-year-old child understands and follows many commands: He responds readily to requests: 'Give me the ball', 'Show grandma the teddy bear', 'Let's go for a walk'. The more you communicate with your child and the more 'tasks' you give them, the faster they will develop.

During this time, the child is able to recognize the emotional coloring of an adult's speech. For example, a parent's convincing 'no' is very powerful for them. Another surprise is that the baby no longer cries for his needs, but tries to explain in a mature way what he needs at the moment. Some infants express their needs through the production of syllables and syllable combinations, while others use sign language and other nonverbal forms of expression (e.g., mooing).

Flat feet in children

Flat feet are a common problem in children. The child's muscles are not yet well developed, and the foot supports the weight of the entire body, so a crack in the sole may not be visible. As a rule, by the age of four, the arch of the foot becomes visible, the fat pad disappears, and then it can be diagnosed whether the child has flat feet or not. If you suspect your foot is flat at age four, you should see a chiropractor therapists. Don't buy orthopedic shoes because instead of helping them, you could harm them.

The smaller the foot, the more freedom it should have. Babies who cannot yet walk should wear cotton socks that are not too tight to avoid squashing their feet. Pajamas and overalls should also have long pants so that they do not restrict freedom of movement. Footwear is very important. The first pair should only be purchased when the baby can walk independently.

If shoes wear out too quickly, they can cause foot deformities. If it is warm, the child may have bare feet. feet When it is warm, your child can walk barefoot and move freely. Thick socks are useful in cold weather. The child's shoes should be new. Shoes that have already been worn by another child, e.g. B. from an older sibling are not recommended as every foot is different.

Baby shoes

There are many manufacturers of children's shoes on the market. Sometimes it's difficult to decide which shoes to choose. And it's not always clear whether they're all suitable for young children. A good shoe should be made of leather or fabric and suitable for all feet. feet have a stiff sole that prevents flat feet and does not bend where the toes bend. The toe of the shoe should be wide so that the child can move his toes freely. Ideally, it should not be very high so that it does not restrict movement when walking. It is important that the shoe has a firm heel. The closure should be tight, ideally wide and have a long Velcro fastener at foot height to ensure good stabilization of the foot in the shoe.

It's worth training to keep your little feet healthy. There are plastic mats commercially available that are rubbery and resemble a hedgehog; It's worth getting some for your child to stomp on. The spines irritate the foot and interfere with the formation of the arch of the foot. Allow toddlers to walk barefoot on grass or sand in summer. Then the toes can move freely and the muscles that form the arch of the foot are strengthened. The exercises can also be done playfully at home, but do them daily to strengthen the muscles.
One such exercise can be throwing toys with your foot. Place small toys on the floor, sit down and ask your child to use their toes Foot to pass on the item. And remember: early detection of posture errors posture are much easier to treat. It is often enough for the child to wear the recommended orthopedic shoes after a while.

• At what age do girls' legs grow?.
• A child begins to have clubfoot between the ages of 1 and 5.
• The child's foot is misaligned.
• Child with clubfoot aged 8 years.
• 1 year old child with clubfoot.
• The child walks on its toes.
• Breastfeeding a colicky baby.
• child's foot size.