Making SMOs Part of Your Child’s Routine
Starting with SMOs can be a big change. Some days your child may slip them on without a fuss, and other days it might take a little more patience. That’s normal. With the right approach, SMOs can support your child’s growth while fitting naturally into your everyday rhythm.
To help your little one along, here are steps you can take to help become more comfortable with wearing their Surestep SMOs.
Step 1: Getting Comfortable with Braces
To start, focus on comfort rather than wear time. Braces can trigger a lot of emotions, and it is important to acknowledge them.
One way to ease into the process is to ask your little one’s doctor, PT, or orthotist for a sample brace during the appointment. Let your child explore it, ask questions, touch the brace, and learn about its parts and purpose.
Most importantly, connect the brace to your child’s goals. Whether it’s walking more steadily, playing with friends, or simply feeling secure, understanding how the brace supports those goals makes the process more meaningful.
Step 2: Getting Used to the Braces
The next step is practice. Learn how to put them on correctly, starting with socks, then the brace, then shoes. Your kiddo’s orthotist should mark the straps to show the right tightness. Practice until it feels natural.
Do not be afraid to ask for extra time at the orthotist’s office. Take the braces off and put them back on several times. Ask questions until you feel confident. This step is crucial because braces will become part of your child’s daily routine, just like shoes or jackets. Check out the video tutorial below to learn how to correctly don and doff your child’s Surestep SMOs.
Shoes are especially important. They need to fit well over the braces and hold everything securely. If they do not, ask the orthotist for guidance. Once you are home, keep practicing. Let grandparents, daycare workers, or anyone who helps care for your child try it too. The more comfortable everyone is, the smoother things will go.
Step 3: One Hour of Fun
Once you and your child are comfortable with putting on the braces, start small. Aim for one hour a day. During that time, make sure socks, braces, and shoes all feel secure, then let your child enjoy a favorite activity. At the end of the hour, take everything off and move on. If your child is ready later, you can add another session, but even one per day is enough to begin forming the habit.
By keeping sessions short and positive, braces become part of their routine without feeling overwhelming. Habits take time to form, and every child will move at their own pace.
Step 4: Extending Wear Over Time
Once shorter sessions feel natural, you can gradually extend them. Try two hours at a time, once per day. If your child is eager for more, add another session after a break. Remember, the focus is on comfort and success, not speed.
Reminder: If your child resists wearing braces, do not assume it is just stubbornness. Discomfort can come from seams in socks, straps that are too tight, or braces that rub against the skin. Reach out to your child’s orthotist, doctor, or PT for help. They want your child to succeed and are happy to answer questions.
Step 5: Moving Toward All-Day Wear
Over time, many children naturally transition to wearing braces throughout their active day. They may not even think about taking them off, except for naps, swimming, or when socks get sweaty.
If your child still struggles, do not be discouraged. Keep focusing on shorter, positive sessions. Using braces even part of the day is far better than not using them at all. And if discomfort persists, consult your healthcare team to see what adjustments can be made. By focusing on comfort, practicing the basics, and building habits gradually, you will create a routine that helps integrate Surestep SMOs into your child’s development.
