Do Kids Have Both of Their Feet Flat or Just One? – The Answer Might Surprise You!

Are you wondering whether your child’s feet are both flat or is it just one foot? As a passionate shoe fitter with over ten years of experience in the field, one of the most common questions I encounter is whether children typically have flat feet on both feet or just one. When children have only one foot flat, it can lead to other conditions such as foot imbalances, leg length discrepancy, posture problems, and foot and leg pain.

Is It Normal for Children to Have Flat Feet?

Flat feet is normal in babies and toddlers, but that doesn’t mean it should be left untreated. If by the time your child turns four or five the arches have not already developed, you are going to need to take action to prevent your child from developing foot, leg, or lower back pain.

Image of a child with flat feet standing barefoot.
An image of a child with flat feet and a moderate degree of pronation standing barefoot.

The Role of the “Golden Years”

The first seven years of a child’s life are critical for addressing flat feet. These “golden years of treatment opportunity” allow us to make permanent structural changes to the foot and lower extremities through the use of supportive shoes and orthotics.

Find Out If Your Child Has Both Feet Flat or Only One

Most children have flat feet on both feet. However, variations exist. Some kids may exhibit flatness more pronounced in one foot than the other. This asymmetry can be due to various factors, including muscle imbalances or differences in bone structure.

To determine if your child has flat feet, I’ll need two pictures of their feet, similar to the example below. Please provide one picture of your child’s right foot and another of their left foot.

To help with a more accurate assessment, you can record a short video of your child’s feet. This will help me better understand their foot structure and give more tailored feedback. Here’s an example of how the video should be filmed.

How to Send the Images and Video

Once you have the pictures, please send them to fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com I’ll review them and get back to you as soon as possible. After we determine if your child has flat feet in one or both feet, we’ll discuss whether they may need supportive shoes, orthotics, or both.

What to Do if Your Child Has Only One Foot Flat?

The main issue with having only one foot that is flat is that it might lead to a leg length discrepancy and posture problems, which might lead to knee, hip, and lower back pain in the future. If your child happens to have only one foot that is flat, the approach is actually the same as if the child had both feet flat.

I always tell parents to be careful in adjusting just one side, because you don’t want to make your child’s leg functionally longer by adding arch support to that side only.

Importance of Proper Footwear

Stable Base of Support: This feature is crucial in providing the balance and stability that children with flat feet require. It helps in distributing weight evenly across the foot and minimizes the risk of falls.

supportive-shoes-for-children-with-flat-feet
You want to look for shoes with ample cushioning to provide a comfortable and shock-absorbing base as this can help alleviate pressure on your kid’s feet and joints.

Straight Last: Shoes with straight lasts will help keep your child’s feet in the correct position. This alignment helps prevent overpronation, where the foot rolls inward excessively, which is common in children with flat feet.

children's-shoes-with-straight-lasts
Always try to avoid shoes with excessively curved lasts.

Before and After: The Impact of Supportive Shoes

Supportive shoes can make a significant difference for children with flat feet.

Toddler with flat feet standing barefoot vs toddler with flat feet wearing supportive shoes.
An image of a toddler with flat feet standing barefoot versus wearing supportive shoes.
Before and after images of a child with flat feet wearing unsupportive shoes and then wearing a pair of supportive shoes.
An image of an older child with flat feet standing barefoot versus wearing supportive shoes.

Finding the right shoes for your child is crucial to supporting their foot health, especially if they have flat feet. Shoes that are specifically designed to support flat feet can help in distributing weight evenly and reducing strain on the foot. By investing in proper footwear, you are not only addressing current foot issues but also preventing potential long-term problems. I created a resource that has a list of supportive shoes for children with flat feet.

Personalized Shoe Recommendations

As a passionate shoe fitter, I am here to assist you with personalized shoe recommendations tailored to your child’s unique foot shape and condition. Feel free to contact me via email for specific shoe recommendations. Understanding the unique needs of your child’s feet allows for more effective and personalized solutions.

Choosing the Correct Shoe Size

The importance of fitting children in the correct shoe size cannot be overstated. Shoes that are too tight or too loose can exacerbate flat feet symptoms and hinder proper development. I recommend using my virtual shoe fitting service to retrieve your child’s exact foot shape and length.

Is There a Way to Fix Flat Feet? – Let’s Straighten Up Some Rumors!

There is no way to fix flat feet. This is a hereditary condition and there are no exercises or orthotics that can mold your child an arch. Certain orthotics are extremely effective in reducing or fully eliminating foot and leg pain, and also improving a child’s walking gait. I just want to be clear that there is no way to fix flat feet.

Signs and Symptoms of Flat Feet

Parents often wonder about the symptoms associated with flat feet. While flat feet in children can sometimes be asymptomatic, there are signs to watch for:

  • Foot Pain: Discomfort or pain in the heel, arch, or ankle.
  • Fatigue: Tiring quickly during physical activities.
  • Walking Patterns: Overpronation, where the foot rolls inward excessively while walking.

I have spoken with several families who took their children to their pediatricians and were told not to worry about it, as the child will eventually develop an arch. I strongly recommend parents be proactive and don’t take the “wait and see approach” when it comes to treating their children’s foot conditions.