Orthotic Inserts for Kids with Flat Feet – Align Your Kids’ Feet and Improve Their Posture!

December 10, 2024 Orthotics/Insoles Juan Valenzuela 0 - Comments

Has your child been diagnosed with flat feet and complains about foot or leg pain? As a dedicated shoe fitter, I have helped several children with flat feet find the correct pair of shoes and orthotics. Orthotic inserts for kids with flat feet can provide the necessary support to alleviate pain and improve foot alignment. Moreover, by supporting the arch, orthotics can help distribute pressure more evenly across the foot, reducing strain on the muscles and ligaments.

My Take On Orthotics Inserts for Kids with Flat Feet

Over the years I have become familiar with the best shoes and orthotics for kids with flat feet. While I am not a medical professional, I have seen firsthand the positive impact that the correct type of orthotics can have on a child’s life. Certainly, it is amazing how something so simple such as fitting a child in the correct type of orthotics can improve the child’s walking gait, balance, and overall posture.

^{An image of a child with flat feet and a strong degree of pronation.}

Be Proactive and Don’t Take the “Wait and See Approach”

If your child has been diagnosed with flat feet, I recommend taking action immediately. The first seven years of a child’s life are crucial for treatment opportunities, often called the “golden years of opportunity.” During this time, structural changes in the foot and lower extremities can be achieved with supportive treatments like orthotic inserts.

The correct type of orthotic inserts for kids with flat feet might help align their feet, preventing them from collapsing and helping your child walk and run straighter. As an illustration, let’s look at a couple of images of children with flat feet standing barefoot and wearing supportive orthotics.

Before and After Images of Supportive Orthotics

^{An image of a child with flat feet and a mild degree of pronation standing barefoot. Do you notice how the feet are collapsing and turning inwards?}

^{An image of the same child standing in a pair of the orthotics that I recommend. Do you notice how the child’s feet are a lot straighter?}

^{An image of a child with flat feet and a moderate degree of pronation standing barefoot.}

^{An image of the same child wearing a pair of the supportive orthotics I recommend. The foot posture is a lot straighter.}

The orthotics I recommend help promote better posture, which can positively affect body’s overall biomechanics. In addition, by ensuring proper foot alignment, orthotics can reduce the risk of developing related issues, such as knee or back pain, as the child grows.

1. Deep Heel Cups: When a child has flat feet you don’t only support the arch, you mechanically support the pieces of the foot that cause the foot to be flat, such as the heels. A deep heel cup stabilizes the heel and provides additional support, which is essential for children with flat feet to prevent overpronation (excessive inward rolling of the foot).

^{An image of littleSTEPS orthotics with deep heel cups.}

^{An image of full-length Footlogics insoles with deep heel cups.}

2. Built-In Arch: The orthotics that I recommend provide good arch support that can help in lifting your child’s arch and aligning the foot correctly. This support is crucial for maintaining balance and reducing strain on the feet and legs. To put it another way, proper arch support can alleviate the discomfort associated with flat feet and promote healthier foot mechanics over time.

^{An image of littleSTEPS orthotic inserts with lateral support for kids with flat feet.}

^{An image of full-length Footlogics orthotic inserts with good arch support for kids with flat feet.}

I recommend two specific orthotic inserts for kids with flat feet, and the one that will work best for your child depends on the degree of your child’s foot condition and pronation. The main reason why I recommend these kids’ orthotics is that they provide good arch and heel support, and at the same time, they are not as invasive as other orthotics. In other words, these orthotics allow the child’s foot and leg muscles to develop on their own while supporting them.

Orthotics Inserts for Kids with Flat Feet and Mild Pronation

This orthotic/insole is one of my go-to orthotic inserts for kids with flat feet and works best for children with mild cases of pronation who occasionally complain about foot or leg pain.

Footlogics orthotics for kids with flat feet.

Order the Footlogics full-length supportive insole on Amazon

Fits a toddler shoe size 5 up to a big kid shoe size 3

Medically approved insoles with targeted cushion and support

Deep heel cup with strong arch support

Made from lightweight yet supportive cushioning material with shock-absorbing heel padding

Forefoot padding to increase comfort

They can be trimmed to size with scissors if needed

The original insoles of your kids’ shoes must be removed before placing this orthotic inside the shoes.

Footlogics 3/4 length orthotics for toddlers with flat feet.

Order the 3/4 length Footlogics supportive insole on Amazon

Fits a toddler shoe size 5 up to a big kid shoe size 3

3/4 length makes it ideal to fit in most shoes

Medically approved insoles with targeted cushion and support

Deep heel cup with strong arch support

Made from lightweight yet supportive cushioning material with shock-absorbing heel

It’s not necessary to remove the original insoles of the shoes when fitting this orthotic.

Orthotics for Flat Feet and Moderate or Strong Pronation

These orthotic inserts for kids with flat feet work best for children whose feet turn inwards considerably and complain about foot or leg pain.

1. Deep heel cup that helps control the alignment of the heel and lower leg.

2. Medial and lateral flanges to help keep the foot aligned over the orthotic.

3. It’s not necessary to remove the original insoles of the shoes when fitting this orthotic.

Check Price

You Must Enter a Referral Code to Order this Orthotic

To place an order for littleSTEPS® Orthotics, you must submit a Referral Code in the Discount Window during the ordering process: JVFCS100121

These kids’ shoe inserts for flat feet work in most shoes, but certain shoes are more effective than others.

Choosing the Right Shoes for Orthotics

For your child to get the full benefits that these orthotics have to offer, you must fit them inside the correct pair of shoes. Additionally, the shoes must be supportive and deep.

Deep shoes provide the necessary space to fit orthotic inserts without compromising comfort. They prevent the foot from feeling squeezed and ensure that the orthotic can function properly. For this reason, I created a different resource that has a list of supportive and deep shoes that work well with orthotics.

Are Shoes with Laces More Supportive than Shoes with Velcro Closure?

I recommend shoes that have laces instead of velcro closures for children who need to wear orthotics inside their shoes. Shoelaces provide better support and stability, and help keep the orthotic in place better than shoes with velcro closure. Moreover, shoelaces also lock and support your kids’ heels. There is actually a shoe tying method I use to tie shoes for children who wear orthotics.

Personalized Orthotic and Shoe Recommendations

Every child’s feet are unique, and so are their needs. Personalized orthotic and shoe recommendations are crucial for ensuring the best support and comfort. As a shoe fitter, I believe in evaluating each child’s foot shape and condition to recommend the most suitable orthotic inserts and deep shoes for orthotics.

A personalized approach ensures that the orthotics not only fit well but also address specific issues each child may face. Do not hesitate to contact me via email if you are having trouble finding a particular shoe for your child with flat feet.