Barb- I have the opposite problem (my feet go in, not out). I was taught to walk with my feet forward. As I have aged, however, this seems to have caused a lot of hip problems, and I have a really hard time keeping my right foot straight and not turned in.

So I would talk to the doctor, although the doctor is the one who just said to teach me to walk normally.

I noticed yesterday that Abby's walk seems to be really getting awkward. Her feet go naturally outward at an angle (duck-footed) but then she pronates slightly when she walks. It's something she gets from Lewis since he walks exactly the same way. It was especially noticeable yesterday since she was breaking in a new pair of sneaker/flat with a slight wedge. I'm wondering if this is something I need to ask her doctor about, or if I just need to make her more conscious of trying to point her feet forward when she walks.

I'd say talk to her doctor. Orthotics or something might help. Just trying to point her feet forward without addressing whatever physical thing is making them point out might do more damage than good.

Her feet go naturally outward at an angle (duck-footed) but then she pronates slightly when she walks.

Overpronates (rolls in) or underpronates (rolls out)? I'm kind of duck-footed, and I underpronate -- if you look at the soles of my shoes, the back outer corner is worn down more than the rest.

(And even if you do get in, most UPK programs are only half-day, so basically useless for working parents.)

My experience is that it makes full-day care cheaper, but of course I've only worked at places that do a lot of subsidized care anyway.

FWIW, I had prescription orthotics as a kid and all they did was make my arches hurt and cost a lot of money. If Abby's gait isn't causing her any pain, I wouldn't worry about it.

Looking at her shoes, it seems as if she rolls in, but heavily from the outsides of her heels.

Because Lewis has the same issue, he's all, "Oh, it'll be fine," but you know, he's never had to learn how to walk in heels, plus, for such a smart guy, it hasn't yet occurred to him that the knee and back problems he's starting to have might be associated with this.

I think I will talk to the doctor about it.

If Abby's gait isn't causing her any pain, I wouldn't worry about it.

It really hasn't to this point, Jess, but she's starting to get interested in shoes with a little more of a heel or a wedge and like I said, yesterday's pair seemed to really emphasize the awkwardness of her gait.

he's never had to learn how to walk in heels,

Well, no one *has* to learn how to walk in heels, do they?

I think orthotic inserts she can put in her shoes would probably help.

Some sneakers (New Balance comes to mind since those are what I wear, but I know there are other brands) are designed to stabilize the feet of people who pronate in either direction. Of course, that only helps if/when she wears sneakers.

Barb, does she have low arches, too?

Overpronates (rolls in) or underpronates (rolls out)? I'm kind of duck-footed, and I underpronate -- if you look at the soles of my shoes, the back outer corner is worn down more than the rest.

I do this as well. I'm not sure if that's contributed to any of the problems I have with my feet, ankles and knees. I suspect that was more a result of having flat feet, and doing a lot of lifetime walking without any kind of arch support. That, and a bad sprain a couple of decades (!) ago, early signs of arthritis, and a stubborn streak when it comes to walking even when it hurts.