Developement

Definitely bump up the appointment if you can. Absolutely bring it to the attention of her pediatrician, too.

I would call the doctor for an appointment. She may need little ankle braces.

S.

I always will say give your doctor a call and let it be their decision to wait or stay with the appointment already set. If you feel strongly that she is in pain, just call explain the situation and ask to be scheduled sooner. She is still non-verbal and you will have to be her best just for her healthcare decsions for now.

You could massage her ankles and rotate her feet. My daughter was similar. Her feet were turned up when she was born like she had club feet, so it took her a while to walk as well. She is now 18 months and has just started walking. I made sure that I played with her feet all the time, rotating them at the ankle and massaging the ankle from birth. But I would call the doctor too, if she looks like she is in pain.

Hi C.,

I'm pretty sure that's normal. Her foot arches haven't developed yet and will still take some time. In the meantime her ankles will just have that appearance. I would still bring it up with her doctor at the appointment and if it seems she is in pain a phone call wouldn't hurt either. You could try rotating her feet and different things to see if there is any sensitivity or pain. My son is almost three and his ankles still mildly do that. Hope this helps!

I am sure a therapist can discribe it better then me. I would have her sit on the floor or a chair. I would get her to point her toes straight down. Then point them up to her knees. You can have her push against your hane at the bottom of her feet. You can have her pull while you hold your hand on the top of her foot. I am sure their are great explainations on ankle exercises in stretching before excerising books. Yoga may help her also. My son dragged his foot when he crawled. I told my mother who asked a school therapist. She told me to exercise the foot and ankles the results were very quick. It is a lot cheaper then paying for therapy she may not need. You may be able to improve it before the doctors visit. You could call and ask them if they have an exercise sheet you can pick up at the office. Growing and changing all takes time. I am glad you noticed and are ready to help her improve her stance.

I would bring it up at your visit, but all kids develop differently-my twins walked around 14 or 15 months, my 3rd walked at 8 & 1/2 months and my fourth walked right around 12 & 1/2 months. As far as her feet turning in-my two youngest ones feet did this-with my 3rd we were able to just exercise her feet a few times a day to loosen them up-just kind of moving them in circles and from side to side. With my youngest we have done this and it doesnt really seem to help. I have called the doc a few weeks ago and they told me to wait until her 15 month check up...so I would assume your daughter could wait. If you really feel something is wrong though you should call.

Our daughter was diagnosed with low muscle tone at 10 months. She was not meeting her gross motor developmental milestones. I would suggest speaking with your pediatrician about your concerns and see if she thinks your daughter is a candidate for physical therapy. We have therapy 2x/week...once with early intervention and once privately.

Please call early intervention in your area and the pedatrician might have the nubmer for you. She need x rays and intervention. Get started now the sooner the better for her.
Good luck
J.

Call your doctor to get referred to Early Intervention. They'll evaluate her to see if she needs physical therapy.

Good luck!

She sounds like she may be a bit behind on milestones right now. I have some peds PT experience with this. It's not an emergency, but definately bring it up at her next MD appt. I would suggest a PT eval by someone who specializes in this. Easter Seals is a great organization and often will even come to your home. Don't panic if they find she is behind, there are many reasons and most catch up quick with a bit of therapy and some direction for you to know how to structure some of your play time together to help her come along. Let me know if I can be of any other help.

Your daughter is trying to stand up and has weak ankles. I suggest you get a pair of High Top Hard Bottom Pre- Walking shoes. These will strengthen the ankles and help her make small steps. Also watch her weight... that too could be the problem ....if that doesn't seem any better ask your doctor..she may need a vitamin suppliment for her bones.

Not sure if it's conventient for you, but Pathways Center in Glenview (www.pathwayscenter.org) does free, 15-minute evaluations. At the very least it could ease worries. If they do recommend therapy, you can discuss the diagnosis with your pediatrician and next steps...you don't necessarily need to go to Pathways for therapy...you can get EI services, I've also heard great things about Easter Seals.

HI C.,
I would make an appointment at the Shriners hospital if you live near one. Shriners will look at your daughters feet and tell you if she needs anything (orthodics, surgery) and they do it all for FREE. My 8 year old daughter has a problem with her feet; they are not flat but her ankles turn in and the feet go flat when she stands. This problem has slowly been getting better as she gets older, but this has been an amazing journy with the Shriners giving her a new pair of $600-800 orthodics each year for free plus doctors looking at her feet/x-rays, etc. to make sure she is getting better. They also help children with other bone problems and cleft palet (?) all for free. This organization is one of the few I realy feel is worth while. I hope this might help you.

C.,

I would call the Pediatrician's office if it appears she is in pain when she is standing. That is not normal and should be checked out.

C.,

My son will be 14 months on July 1st and he also does this. He is not walking yet either but has been pulling up on things and cruising for a while. He has physical therapy for low-muscle tone and his PT said to have him walk in his shoes in the house to help correct his foot position. (When he has his shoes on he stands on his foot better.) She said that more than likely he will be flat-footed. Have your daughter wear her shoes and cruise to see if she still walks on the inside of her feet. I would definitely bring it up to your doctor. My son's PT said that we should make sure that the doctors check out his feet and the way he walks for every annual appointment to make sure that as he gets older he doesn't have any problems.

Good Luck!

Call the Dr. & move up her appointment date.

I would call Child & Family Connections through the Early Intervention program for a free evaluation in your home. You can reach them at ###-###-#### to make a referral. That is the # if you live in Chicago, but if you do not, they will give you the # for your area. You don't have to wait to get a referral from your doctor. Anyone can make a referral. Good luck!