Shoes

morgs8384

So this may be a dumb question, but it really hasn't dawned on me much until now.

When do you get LO their first "walking/ pre walking" shoes? DS likes to walk while holding onto our hands, and has stood unassisted in place a handful of times. I'm a SAHM, so we don't go many places, and shoes really haven't been something I've put much thought into.

I was thinking of taking him to the local stride rite, and having them size DS. But didn't know if it was premature to do so?

JeepersWife

DS has shoes now....but they are more for cuteness than anything. Usually when he his playing or assisted walking he is barefooted. His first walking shoes will be those soft soled ones. I don't want anything stiff for him.

clineak

DD has shoes now, but they're more for looks than for walking. She has been crawling for a couple of months now, and is cruising all over the place. She is also starting to stand on her own, so I know she'll be walking in no time. She is getting "walking shoes" this Wednesday because that's when the Nordstrom sale starts.

ASmallWonder

You don't really NEED shoes until the baby will be playing someplace where their feet need to be protected (i.e. outside, around lot of other kids at daycare, etc.).  Actually, being barefoot is the best thing for them as they learn to walk because it allows them to really feel the floor under their feet and move their feet in their most natural way.  All that said, Stride Rite is great for when you decide you do need the first pair of rubber soled shoes.  They have different stages of shoes that are more and less flexible.  They can get expensive though so look for sales and definitely check out Ebay.  You can find great deals on new and gently used shoes there

M&M227

We went to stride rite and had them size DD.  She has tiny feet (1.5)  We didn't have many options in that size.  I wanted something sturdy since she wants to walk and it's only a matter of time.  We ended up getting a pair of roobez from there with a rubber bottom (not the soft sole).  

We don't put them on often since she's not walking independently, and it's best for them to be barefoot.  If we go to the store I just put socks on her.  We we go to playgroup or parties / events I put on her shoes. 

karatechrissy

Barefoot is best for now. Unless they are walking outside I wouldn't use shoes. They can hurt their foot development. My dd is 2, and when she started walking I only put her in Pedi ped brand shoes bc they are specially designed for young babies/toddlers/small children. The shoes are made to help their foot development. They aren't cheap but they are great quality and after my DD has used only that brands, I refuse to buy cheap target shoes. My 10mo old will be usin pedi ped once he starts really walking. Only brand I trust. 

morgs8384

Thanks for the replies! I wasn't sure if barefoot was the best for now, or if getting them used to a soft soled shoe was the way to go ( it's all new to me). I'll definitely hold off on shoes for now. Thank you all again.

BabyBoyNYC

i was wondering to, DS is just starting to stand on his own and take a few steps. I think i'm going to get those little soft pre-walker shoes from stride rite $28 (R2D2 per husbands request) but we also go to the park in city and its dirty!!! The baby wipes were black after we got home from wiping his feet. But around the house he is barefoot

fcp1234

He has to start wearing shoes at daycare at 9mo old, when he started to walk. I take the shoes off when he is home though.

kimmyberly26

We went with Robeez. DD only has them on when she is outside playing which actually is quite a bit at daycare.

ac311

DD walked at 9 1/2 months and we took her to Stride Rite because she was an early walker but she curled her toes a bit.  We started in their #2 shoe and she wore them out!  She is almost a year now and just got a few new sandal pairs from Stride Rite.  There are coupons for the shoes because they get expensive but now that she can walk and is very good at it, I have bought a pair of "pretty"shoes to match some outfits.