Question
At 15 months old, a child is learning to walk and shows a noticeable lateral splay of the left foot. How can this be corrected?
Answer
During the early stages of learning to walk, a child’s leg muscles and balance are still developing, so their walking posture may not yet be fully standardized. At this stage, a child’s bones are relatively soft and not suitable for excessive weight-bearing while walking, as this could affect leg development. If the child’s left foot splay is not severe enough to cause frequent falls, there is usually no need to worry excessively. To determine if it is an O-shaped leg, place the baby flat and observe the gap between the two legs. If there is a noticeable bend in the legs, medical attention should be sought immediately. If there is no obvious bend, gentle pressure can be applied to the baby’s knees and legs to stimulate growth.