Grandparents' Guide to Clubfoot: How You Can Help

If your grandchild has been diagnosed with clubfoot, you're probably feeling a mix of worry, protectiveness, and a fierce desire to help. This guide is written specifically for grandparents — to help you understand the condition, the treatment, and most importantly, how you can be the support your family needs right now.

Understanding the Diagnosis

Clubfoot (also called talipes equinovarus) is a condition where a baby's foot is turned inward and downward at birth. It's one of the most common birth differences — about 1 in 1,000 babies in the UK is born with it.

Key things to understand:

• It's not anyone's fault. Clubfoot isn't caused by anything the parents did during pregnancy. Not diet, not exercise, not stress, not anything. In most cases, the cause is simply unknown
• It's highly treatable. The Ponseti method corrects clubfoot in over 95% of cases without major surgery
• Your grandchild will walk, run, and play normally. Children treated with the Ponseti method live completely normal, active lives. Will my child walk normally?
• Treatment has changed enormously. If you knew someone with clubfoot decades ago who had extensive surgery and ongoing problems, that's not the reality today. Modern treatment is gentler and gives much better outcomes

What the Treatment Involves

So you can follow what your grandchild is going through:

Phase 1: Casting (6-8 Weeks)

Weekly plaster casts that gently correct the foot position. Each week, the cast is removed and a new one applied in a slightly more corrected position. Casting process explained.

Phase 2: Achilles Tenotomy

A minor procedure to release the tight Achilles tendon. It sounds worrying but it's very quick (5-10 minutes) and done under local anaesthetic in most cases. Tenotomy guide.

Phase 3: Boots and Bar (Several Years)

Two small boots attached to a bar, worn during sleep (and initially full-time) to prevent the foot returning to its clubfoot position. This is the longest phase and can be challenging for the parents. Boots and bar guide.

How You Can Help: What Parents Actually Need

Emotional Support

• Listen without fixing. Your son or daughter (or their partner) may need to vent, cry, or express frustration. They don't always need solutions — sometimes they just need someone to say "that sounds really hard, and you're doing brilliantly"
• Don't minimise. Saying "it could be worse" or "at least it's not serious" — even with good intentions — can feel dismissive. To them, right now, this IS serious. Validate their feelings
• Don't blame. Even subtle questions like "do you think it was the medication?" or "didn't you eat enough folic acid?" can land as blame. The cause is unknown and it's nobody's fault
• Be positive but realistic. "The doctors say the treatment works really well" is more helpful than "everything will be absolutely perfect." Parents can spot false reassurance

Practical Help

• Offer to come to hospital appointments. Weekly casting appointments are exhausting. An extra pair of hands to carry bags, hold the baby, or simply provide company means a lot
• Help with siblings. If there are older children, offering to look after them during hospital visits is invaluable
• Cook meals. The casting phase involves weekly hospital trips that eat into the day. Coming home to a prepared meal is a huge relief
• Help at night. If you're staying over, offer to do a night feed or settle the baby — especially during the boots and bar adjustment period when sleep is disrupted
• Learn to apply the boots and bar. Ask the parents to show you how the brace goes on and off. If you're babysitting or doing bedtime, you'll need to know this

Learning and Understanding

• Read about the Ponseti method. Understanding the treatment helps you support confidently. Complete Ponseti guide
• Don't give medical advice. Well-meaning suggestions from non-medical family members can cause stress. Trust the orthopaedic team
• Be careful with "when I was young" stories. Treatment has changed dramatically. Stories about clubfoot treatment from 40-50 years ago may be frightening and aren't relevant to today's Ponseti method
• Ask the parents what they need. Every family is different. Some want you very involved; others need more space. Ask, and respect the answer

Babysitting a Baby with Clubfoot

If you're looking after your grandchild, here are the key things to know:

During the Casting Phase

• Keep the cast dry — sponge baths only, no submersing in water
• Check toes are pink and warm regularly
• Tuck nappy edges under the cast to prevent soiling
• If the cast gets damaged, contact the parents immediately

During the Boots and Bar Phase

• Learn how to put the boots and bar on and off — ask the parents to demonstrate
• The brace goes on for ALL sleep — including naps
• Check the heel is in the boot (no slipping)
• Follow the parents' bedtime routine exactly — consistency matters
• If the baby wakes and the brace has come off, re-apply it (or call the parents for guidance)

General

• Don't be afraid of the baby! They're tougher than they look. The cast and brace are part of their normal right now
• Tummy time, play, feeding, nappy changes — all normal. Tummy time guide
• Take photos and videos for the parents — they'll treasure them

What to Say (and What Not to Say)

Helpful Things to Say

• "How are you doing? This must be tiring."
• "I've been reading about the Ponseti method. The success rates are really impressive."
• "Can I come to the next appointment with you?"
• "What can I do this week to help?"
• "You're doing an amazing job with the bracing."

Things to Avoid

• "At least it's only a foot." (It doesn't feel like "only" to the parents)
• "My friend's child had clubfoot and had terrible surgery." (Treatment is different now)
• "Are you sure the doctors know what they're doing?" (Undermining trust in the clinical team is harmful)
• "Maybe if you'd done X during pregnancy..." (It's not their fault — ever)
• "Just take the brace off if they're crying too much." (Compliance is critical for preventing relapse)

Thank you for wanting to help. The fact that you're reading this guide shows how much you care. Your grandchild is lucky to have you. Last reviewed: February 2026.