https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:15:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-in-orthotics#post-2834991 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 15:46:00 +0000 Chuckles 2834991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: Yup. He has suresteps smo's. I would ask about whether this would be for just general support for low tone or pronation/foot development. I think that if the concern is bone development and pronation, the orthotics shouldn't worn on a "part-time" basis, meaning it's not like they are only worn some of the day or the child has full days without them. We just made sure, once he was a solid walker, that he had some barefoot time each day. As he got older, we got more lax on the weekends, and I actually wonder if we'd see better foot development or if he'd have been able to move to an insert sooner if he wore them more on the weekends. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-in-orthotics#post-2834985 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 15:27:46 +0000 PinkElephant 2834985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@psw27: Sorry, my replies are so disjointed. But I'd say definitely it's worth getting an EI eval sooner rather than later, both because it can take a little time to get on the schedule and because I've found with DD3 that she's much more stubborn as she gets older - she was way easier to work with six months ago (your son's age) than she is now :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-in-orthotics#post-2834979 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 14:53:51 +0000 PinkElephant 2834979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: Thank you so much for this. Is your LO in SureSteps, or something else? </p> <p>I especially appreciate the reminder about including barefoot time. I'd be much more comfortable with the orthotics worn on a part time basis, so that they're providing a "boost" for her and she's not relying on them totally. She's just on the cusp of needing/not needing them, and I don't want to make things harder for her.</p> <p>@muffinsmuffins: I do appreciate the words of caution! We'll be seeing someone who does peds only at a children's hospital, so I trust their experience in the field, but absolutely do see where you're coming from with things being a money grab. With other "devices" we've used to help my daughter in PT, it's always been a very temporary thing - a week or two of kineseo tape on her abs while she learned what it "felt" like to engage her core a little more (which worked wonders), another few weeks of wearing a belly band for an hour twice a day...so I do feel like the people we're working with are pretty good about not going over the top. But I'll remain cautious :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-in-orthotics#post-2834978 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 14:49:31 +0000 PinkElephant 2834978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@muffinsmuffins: @Chuckles: Thanks for offering two viewpoints on this! I suspect that because she is not terribly low tone. Because of her age, it seems like we have an extra factor working against walking (she understands consequences in a way that younger kids don't, and is very scared of/frustrated by falling when she's not holding a hand) - I think part of the hope is that using orthotics, at least part time and temporarily, will give her a little extra support to start getting around on her own, and that they'll either take them away or use something less rigid to wean her off them. But I've only talked to the PT, not the specialist who would be fitting her with the braces. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-in-orthotics#post-2834977 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 14:46:01 +0000 PinkElephant 2834977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@psw27: My DD has been in PT since she was about 11 months old. At the time she wasn't crawling and was just barely starting to sit independently, so we had her evaluated through Early Intervention and moved on to private PT (because of cost and the ability to choose our own therapist). Orthotics have always been on the table since the time she started standing, but her PT was resistant because she's just barely low tone. The PT is recommending them now because even though she's on the cusp of walking independently (she CAN, she just WON'T), DD3's feet are still pronating inward. I honestly can't see it now as much as I could before, but I trust the PT. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-in-orthotics#post-2834949 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 12:00:35 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2834949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: sounds like you have a great plan and good physio! And yes, like I said, I do deal with mostly developmentally average kids with typical sports injury type problems. Only occasionally do I get a true congenital deformity...though we field a lot of questions from worried parents! I even catch myself analyzing my 3 year old. I only say to the OP to make sure she sees a specialist in Pediatrics as I know in my own profession and allied profession there are MANY practitioners who can make the case for orthotics and bracing for literally anyone that walks into their office. It can be a money grab industry with a lot of dishonesty about what orthotics do and don’t do, what they can and cannot prevent or treat. I won’t get into details here, but like anything, do your research and get second opinions if something doesn’t seem right. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-in-orthotics#post-2834923 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 10:07:04 +0000 Chuckles 2834923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@muffinsmuffins: It sounds like you have a different type of population that you work with. Our son's ankles and foot bones are clearly out of place when he moves or stands. And the concern is that since his bones are still being formed at such a young age, he could end up with lifelong foot pain from improper formation.<br /> However, it makes sense to have a plan to keep his muscles strong. The nice thing about the SMO orthotics that most young kids get is that there is room for his ankles to still move around while wearing them so that they can continue to strengthen. Also, the bottom of the orthotic doesn't go all the way from the heel to the toes. There is still a lot of room for movement between the balls of the feet and the toes. But we've also talked with his PT about spending time out of the orthotics quite a bit so that he's comfortable walking without them. And he does all his PT sessions without them. (though I honestly can't remember if he wore them for PT when he was much younger) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-in-orthotics#post-2834919 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 09:58:31 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2834919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m a practitioner who does gait analysis, orthotics evaluation and biomechanical assessment. I will say in 10 years of doing this, I have never put a child under age 9 or 10 in orthotics, but that could be because our clientele tend to be active kids who are injured temporarily not from congenital issues or disorders. It’s a little controversial and you’ll hear differing opinions from different practitioners. It’s hard to know what’s normal at that age up until about 7 or 8 because developmentally, flat feet, knock knees, rotation in hips, etc are all considered normal. However, worsening alignment, difficulty with walking/running and pain are a different story that usually needs to be treated. </p> <p>The main concern is reliance on the device and weakening muscles. An orthotic is a brace so just like any other brace it will keep your child in good alignment, but if proper strength and mobility doesn’t develop then they will have to continue wearing it indefinitely and get more and more aggressive with the support. I would make sure whoever is evaluating your child specializes in Pediatric bracing/orthotics and has a good plan for muscle development in tandem with the orthotic and a good plan to eventually stop using them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-in-orthotics#post-2834918 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 09:58:15 +0000 psw27 2834918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: Thanks! I'm not quite sure what is going on. I think my LO rolls his feet out and walks on the outer edges sometimes. He won't walk independently at all, only pushing things. Maybe I should ask EI to start! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-in-orthotics#post-2834917 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 09:54:27 +0000 Chuckles 2834917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@psw27: Our son was in EI starting around 13 months with PT (among other things), so the first recommendation, as I recall, was from his PT. But his pediatrician also noticed at an appointment and gave us the referral. For him, it's that his ankles roll in as he walks or stands. It's especially noticeable from behind if he squats down from standing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-in-orthotics#post-2834916 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 09:52:22 +0000 psw27 2834916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: @Chuckles: Can I thread-jack a little and ask how you knew your LO needed them? Did your pediatrician to refer you? Something seems a little off with my younger son so I am wondering if there is a low-tone/foot development or arch issue going on. He's 15 months so not quite at the "late" walking stage but I don't see him making any progress in the months since he started creeping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-in-orthotics#post-2834911 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 09:28:42 +0000 Chuckles 2834911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 5 year old has been in orthotics since 18 months, so I"m happy to answer any questions I can. He has them for low muscle tone, pronated ankles, and arch development. He started walking at 19 months.<br /> - I think they've really helped a lot. First, because he started walking soon after getting them. But now because I can see that even though he still needs them, the bones in his feet are developing properly.<br /> - He will still need them for another year. Our PT and orthotics person (and others have heard the same thing) said that because the bones in kids feet aren't fully formed or hardened until about age 6, kids typically wear them until then. After that he can get shoe inserts.<br /> - We've had almost no trouble getting him to wear them. I think it took a day or two at the beginning, but now it's fine. The only issue is as he starts growing out of a pair or needs them adjusted, they can hurt to wear. We've had short periods where he didn't wear them while we waited for an appointment and then there's another few days of adjusting back to wearing them.<br /> - The best shoes I've found are XXWide from Stride Rite. The velcro strap is long enough to fit across the top of the shoes. I size up about a whole size. </p> <p>Just a few other thoughts:<br /> - The main thing I would ask about is how much time she should spend in them versus barefoot. We've gotten some different opinions over the years from PTs. He does spend time barefoot at home, especially on the weekends.<br /> - Now that he's older, I worried about teasing, but there's been almost no comments from other kids, other than curiosity.<br /> - If your DD is in daycare, make sure that everyone understands how to put them on, including floaters. Or that there is a plan in place to pass on the info if teachers are out. We had a few issues at our old school where they weren't put on at all or improperly after nap. </p> <p>Let me know if you have any other questions! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-in-orthotics#post-2834907 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 09:15:29 +0000 LAZB 2834907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No tips, but following. My 20 month old who is typical in physical milestones has super turned in/down feet, so I’m going to bring him for an eval soon </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-in-orthotics#post-2834896 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 08:32:35 +0000 PinkElephant 2834896@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It looks like my kind-of-low-tone, very late walker (she's 21 months and does not willingly walk independently, instead preferring to push around a bar stool/high chair/walker) is going to be getting orthotics. I'm hoping to hear from other mamas with LOs wearing orthotics about your experience - I don't have any terribly specific questions, would just love any tips you can share! </p> <p>-did you feel like they helped your LO?<br /> -how long did your LO wear them (are they still in them)?<br /> -any tips on getting child used to wearing them/how to wear them?<br /> -did your child have to wear specific shoes with them? how much did you size up in shoes<br /> -any tips on a preferable style/color? It looks like the brand we'll use has tons of cute prints, but I think I'll get her a boring solid so they match better with all her clothes. I know this is so petty, but I'm a total closet mom and she has lots of nice clothing to show off :silly: - For her sake, I kind of don't want the first thing people notice about her to be her orthotics, particularly if she wears them long term - but I also want her to like them, so if a print does that, I can sacrifice outfit matching, haha.</p> <p>Thanks! </p>