How to Care for a Child's Feet

By eHow Parenting Editor

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We take our feet for granted everyday. Making it a point to check on your child's feet may not have even crossed your mind, but there are a number of good reasons to do so on a regular basis. You can care for your child's feet in just a few minutes each week with almost no effort or worry as a prevention measure so you can catch potential problems early.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1

Clip those little toe nails regularly. It is easy to forget to check for long or jagged toe nails on your child, especially after they start doing tasks on their own, like dressing and bathing. The best time to do this is after a bath, so if any nails need to be clipped, they are softer and easier to cut.

Step2

Check between your child's toes regularly. A good time to do this is while you're clipping his toe nails. The space between toes gets sweaty and collects link from socks and dirt from being outside. Kids who are bathing themselves may not think to clean here. If the area isn't kept clean, it is a magnet for chiggers, mites, rash and infection.

Step3

Measure your child's feet at the store regularly to ensure you are buying shoes that fit. Children grow so fast, and sometimes it is more cost effective to buy shoes a size or so too big. The problem with this is the child's feet are not supported well. He may have problems later on with weak tendons in his feet, rolling arches and learning good balance.

Step4

Keep your child active and on their feet. One way to help keep feet in top condition is to exercise them. Most outdoor play, including tag, sports activities or playing on park equipment will help strengthen and stretch her feet to help her grow without complications later.

Step5

Take his shoes off and let his feet breathe. It is important to let his feet be outside the confines of good supportive shoes to bend and stretch. Toddlers especially need plenty of time to wiggle around as their feet grow and develop.