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Flat-looking feet: normal or not?
Reassurance first, and help if your child's feet hurt or slow them down
Flat feet in children
It's normal for babies and young children to have flat-looking feet, and many grow out of it. Flexible, painless flat feet usually need no treatment. It's worth a check if your child has foot or leg pain, tires quickly, trips a lot, or has a stiff flat foot or only one flat foot.
It's normal for babies and young children to have flat-looking feet, and many grow out of it. Flexible, painless flat feet usually need no treatment.
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It's worth a check if your child has foot or leg pain, tires quickly, trips a lot, or has a stiff flat foot or only one flat foot.
How we can help at Burwood Podiatry
Most children's flat feet need nothing more than reassurance. When there's pain or tiredness, we have practical options.
- A flat feet check: flexible or stiff, how they walk and run, and their shoes
- Shoe advice for school and sport: choosing shoes
- Strength and balance activities for home: strength and rehab
- Insoles or orthotics only for pain or trouble keeping up, quoted before anything is made
- A letter to your GP for a stiff or painful flat foot that needs a closer look
What you can do at home
- Let your child be active and play barefoot on safe surfaces
- Choose well-fitting shoes with a firm heel and a fastening; painless flat feet don't need special shoes
- Notice whether they complain of tired or sore feet or legs after activity, and tell us
When to get it checked
- Under 8 and keeps falling or has trouble walking
- 8 or older with pain or difficulty moving
- Stiffness, pain or a limp
- Only one flat foot
- Shoes wearing unevenly, usually at the inside of the heel
Do insoles help children's flat feet?
For painless flat feet, insoles aren't needed. For a child with pain or tiredness, insoles can be one part of the plan, alongside shoes and activity changes. We explain the options and costs before anything is made.
A limp with fever, or a hot, swollen joint? See your GP today or get same-day care. Emergency, or a foot that suddenly turns cold, pale or blue? Call 000.
Flat feet in children questions
Are flat-looking feet normal in children?
Yes, very often. Young children have a soft fat pad under the arch, so their feet look flat, and many grow out of it; flexible, painless flat feet usually need no treatment. A stiff flat foot, only one flat foot, pain or tiring quickly is worth a check.
When do children's arches develop?
Gradually through childhood. Young children have a soft fat pad under the arch, which makes their feet look flat, and many grow out of it.
Does my child need orthotics for flat feet?
Not usually. Flexible, painless flat feet often need no treatment. Insoles are one option for pain or tiredness, after an assessment.
Should my child see a podiatrist or a GP for flat feet?
Either is fine for flat feet. See your GP first if there's a limp with fever, a hot or swollen joint, or pain after an injury.
How much is an appointment for my child?
A 30-minute appointment is $112 with Jasem, or $162 with Jonathan ($179 on Saturdays). No referral needed. If your child has a chronic condition and a GP care plan, Medicare pays $63.40 back per eligible visit. Fees and rebates
Where to next
Sources
Reviewed by Burwood Podiatry · November 2026