Flat feet — also known as pes planus — is one of the most common concerns parents bring to pediatric podiatrists. And it's also one of the most misunderstood.
Here's what the science actually says.
All Babies Have Flat Feet Every child is born with flat feet. This is completely normal. The arch of the foot develops gradually between ages 2 and 6 as the intrinsic foot muscles strengthen and the bones ossify into their final positions.
A fat pad on the inner foot makes baby feet appear even flatter than they are — this disappears naturally as the child grows.
When Should the Arch Develop? Most children begin showing signs of arch development between ages 2 and 3. By age 6, a clearly visible arch should be present in most children when standing. If your child is approaching age 4 or 5 without any visible arch development, it may be worth consulting a pediatric podiatrist.
What Causes Flat Feet to Persist? Several factors can delay or prevent natural arch development. Weak intrinsic foot muscles — often caused by spending too much time in rigid, supportive shoes — are the most common culprit. Genetics also plays a role, as does excess body weight and certain neurological conditions.
The Arch Support Myth Many parents reach for arch support insoles when they notice flat feet. But pediatric podiatrists increasingly advise against this for healthy children. When you provide artificial arch support, the muscles that should be doing that work become lazy and weak — actually worsening the problem over time.
True arch support comes from strong intrinsic foot muscles. And strong intrinsic foot muscles develop through natural, unrestricted movement.
How to Support Natural Arch Development The most effective things you can do: let your child walk barefoot on varied surfaces as often as possible, choose shoes with a wide toe box and flexible sole, avoid rigid arch support insoles, and incorporate simple foot-strengthening exercises into daily playtime.
The Explorer Sandal by BareBella was specifically designed to activate the intrinsic foot muscles with every step — helping your child's arch develop naturally, without orthotics or intervention.