[EandDmom]

The 16month old is very pigeon toed to the point he falls every few steps tripping over his feet. Forget about walking with shoes on just makes it even worst. What can be done about this? I'm planning on calling his caseworker to see if its ok to take him to the doctor about this. I don't know if they will ok it because I'm sure it will be a big expense. I'm assuming braces will have to be bought and used and the kids may not be in care more than a few months. But I'm also thinking if I don't try to get it done before he leaves care he may never get anything done about it as mom is single young and has no money. He already has a bump and a bruise on his forehead from a fall he took sunday.

[Proudfostermama]

I had a child in my classroom that was pigeon toed. She had to wear braces and get special shoes to help her walk. I would think it would be best to take him to the doctor. Hope you get everything figured out.

[Kat-L]

Originally Posted by EandDmom

The 16month old is very pigeon toed to the point he falls every few steps tripping over his feet. Forget about walking with shoes on just makes it even worst. What can be done about this? I'm planning on calling his caseworker to see if its ok to take him to the doctor about this. I don't know if they will ok it because I'm sure it will be a big expense. I'm assuming braces will have to be bought and used and the kids may not be in care more than a few months. But I'm also thinking if I don't try to get it done before he leaves care he may never get anything done about it as mom is single young and has no money. He already has a bump and a bruise on his forehead from a fall he took sunday.

"Brandon" has the same problem-however he wasn't tripping. I still wanted something done, though, to correct the problem. His pediatrician (actually, my daughters' doc) saw him and said they don't do anything to correct the problem in toddler years UNLESS the child is actually falling over his feet. So, in my case, "Brandon" has to live with it and they'll see if he outgrows it as he perfects his walk. With your child, though, they would probably want to do something since it's making it difficult for him to walk safely.

[Robbin]

My bio son was pigeon-toed as well. I wasn't worried about it, even tho he did fall more learning to walk. My pediatrician said he should outgrow it, and he could send him to someone who would give him braces, but we could also just have him start roller skating at a young age. HE would have to self-correct his stance in order to skate successfully, and this would also help train his muscles to be used the correct way. His father thought that was crazy, took him to a specialist who said his one calf muscle was shorter than the other and should have an operation to cut the muscle, stretch it, and re-attach it further down on the bone. I said NO WAY and bought him skates and a helmet. And guess what, he's 18 and walks perfectly fine.

[sunsetsky]

E/I told me to teach him to kick a ball and it will straighten out. It is working.

[Godmother]

The folk remedy is to put their shoes on the wrong feet.

[loveajax]

DD had this and I was actually worried it was a neurological problem because she was "stumbling" so much. It "righted" itself on its own thankfully, but if he can go to the doctor, I would have them take a look...Good luck!

[EandDmom]

Thanks I knew you would all have some great ideas. I just feel so bad for the little guy.

[liveurlife]

MY almost two year old has the same issue. Our Ped said that he would not be able to have a formal evaluation until he turnstwo. It has gotten better with time. He only has one foot that turns in. He still trips some. Most shoes made him fall more. I invested in a pair of shoes called pedipeds. They have a website you can order from. They stay on and give light support. Good luck!

[Becki_in_IN]

K got orthotics on his feet at 10 mos. right after he started cruising around furniture. It has really helped him.

[EandDmom]

Just thought I'd update you all on this problem. He has been with us 5 months now and he is walking with no problems. In fact I said to dh the other day as he was running away from us when we were trying to get him dressed for bed what were we thinking getting him to walk better it was so much easier catching him when he fell every 2 steps. We just let him run around all the time and he got better. I am assuming that he stayed mostly in a playpen before and didn't have a chance to walk much and get the problem worked out. Thanks again for all the advice.

[jphollen]

EandD do you have carpet or wood floors? We have wood and when dd was learning to walk the hard wood was not forgiving. We bought those foam tile pieces and put them everywhere to soften the blows! Just a thought.

[EandDmom]

Originally Posted by jphollen

EandD do you have carpet or wood floors? We have wood and when dd was learning to walk the hard wood was not forgiving. We bought those foam tile pieces and put them everywhere to soften the blows! Just a thought.

We have carpet

[csisemore]

Our daughter was born very pigeon toed. (from her dad) and we took her to a doctor who made special shoes for her to sleep in they looked like old fashoned mary janes but had a connective strap at the back.

Anyway when she began to walk she could get out of bed and walking with those shoes was not a nice thing to have to do so we quit using them.

She is a fast runner though

[Whistler]

When I was a kid I wore special shoes because I was so pigeon toed. I can't see that they helped because I still am! But I don't seem to have trouble walking.