Sleeping without shoes - opposite problem!

December 19, 2004

For those that don't know us, will be 2 in just over a month. His

feet (bilateral) were corrected by Dr Ponseti April 2003. This Monday, I

videotaped him walking, climbing, running and emailed to Dr Ponseti. We

do this every 6 months or so for an update. Being so far away (in South

Africa) means that we can't just pop in for a check-up!

Dr Ponseti replied immediately saying he is very happy with 's feet,

they have completely normal function, but his feet are still quite over-

corrected, and need to turn in a little more by this age. I had noticed

this too, which was one of the reasons I sent the video.

I suppose that until recently, might have stopped wearing the shoes

altogether because of loose ligaments? I know this protocol has changed

since there were a few relapses - even with the loose ligaments. Dr P

told us to reduce the angle of the shoes from 70 to 50 deg and we must

only put them on at night now - for maximum 10-12 hours.

Exciting development, BUT...!!! Our little boy is a determined little

creature of habit. He's so used to his daytime nap routine of putting on

shoes, he kept on asking for them. The first few days we persevered, but

he would either not sleep at all, or sleep for a half hour instead of his

usual 2 hrs, then climb out of his cot - after taking his diaper off - he

seems to be getting ready for potty training too.

Obviously we can't put him back in the FAB, but my experiment today was to

put on his ordinary sandals! He settled immediately and is sleeping

soundly now!

To the parents of older kids, I never thought I would ask this, but...Did

you have any problems stopping FAB wear? Any suggestions on other ways to

handle it? He's still quite little to understand things like this, all he

knows for sure is that it's part of his routine. Maybe we followed the

Iowa advice too closely to make them part of his sleep routine!!

and (the shoe lover)

24 Jan 2003, bilateral

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