Deena Cortese of Jersey Shore fame is telling the online haters to stop mommy-shaming her for not putting shoes on her one-year-old son CJ.
The fed-up mama took to Instagram to explain that her little one has a foot condition and to caution people to pause before making hateful comments.
“I’ve been getting a lot of messages about CJ’s feet, how he walks, and other mothers ridiculing me for not putting shoes on him at 1-year-old. Please, before messaging me telling me what I should do or asking and making comments about why he’s not wearing shoes, maybe ask if I’ve already looked into what you see could be wrong,” Cortese wrote in an Instagram post.
“Because more than likely I have… anything you guys notice about my son, I most likely noticed it before anyone else. I just didn’t think it was necessary to let anyone know why his feet went the way they do or the reason he’s not wearing shoes.”
Something to consider any time you’re tempted to mention something about a child to his own mother!
In responding to the mom-shamers, Deena Cortese revealed that her son has a common foot deformity called metatarsus adductus.
She went on to say that while she appreciates the concern, the negative attention can make a mama feel terrible.
“I appreciate the concerning messages but maybe come in asking and not telling. That doesn’t make a mother feel great.”
It’s a shame she even has to say something so obvious!
The former reality star went on to share that her son has metatarsus adductus, a common and curable condition that occurs when the foot is turned inward. According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia:
The cause of metatarsus adductus is not known. It occurs in approximately 1 to 2 per 1,000 live births and is more common in first born children. Babies born with metatarsus adductus rarely need treatment as they grow.
They may, however, be at increased risk for developmental dysplasia of the hip, a condition of the hip joint in which the top of the thigh (femur) slips in and out of its socket, because the socket is too shallow to keep the joint intact.
– CHOP
According to the protective mom-of-one, CJ “will be getting night braces to get it corrected.”
Of treatment for the condition, CHOP says, “More than 90% resolving on their own. When needed treatment will depend on the degree of flexibility in the affected foot.”
“He’s had it since he was born but we noticed it at 10 months when he started walking,” Cortese added. “The doctor says it’s common and we’ve been on top of it .. unfortunately his right foot has an extreme case and he literally can not get a shoe on .. that is why CJ isn’t in shoes and just socks and booties.”
Major love to this mama for standing up for her little one and shutting down the haters. And if you’re a mom-shamer reading this, please think before criticizing a mom you don’t even know for something as silly as sharing a photo of a child not wearing shoes.
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