How long should LO be wearing soft-soled shoes?

musicalsilver · May 2014

Daycare likes to have LO in shoes for when they go outside, so I bought some of the Robeez soft-soled shoes. This has worked for the past couple months just fine, but the lady at daycare however, has asked if maybe he has some *not* soft-soled shoes to help LO work on his walking.

Should I be buying some shoes with rubberized soles now? I had thought that soft soles was the way to go since it's more like being barefoot etc etc ... but I guess they might be a little more slippery creating problems for beginning walkers?

Thoughts, ladies?

BC&LM · May 2014

Flexible soles are actually better for babies learning to walk because it helps them feel the ground more. I have found a lot of older women or even younger women that have older kids are unaware of the recent research done on this because I often hear them insisting beginning walkers should have a hard sole to help them walk. My SIL, for instance, is about my age but has an eleven year old daughter and a baby. She kept insisting that hard soles are best for babies. I didn't argue with her because it wasn't worth it.

ETA: Maybe your daycare lady is old school and thinks firmer is better. (Wow, that came out dirtier than I intended.)

momofcatan · May 2014

I agree that soft soles are better, but I think robeez are only meant for indoors and you should have something with a flexible rubber sole for outside.

AZMagnini14 · May 2014

araziza said:

I agree that soft soles are better, but I think robeez are only meant for indoors and you should have something with a flexible rubber sole for outside.

+1!

ASmallWonder · May 2014

Ditto @araziza And we LOVE our Stride Rites

musicalsilver · May 2014

Thanks ladies. LO's been wearing his Robeez soft soles outside at daycare ... but I guess it's not been a big deal since he's not walking. Ooops.

Looks like I'll be going baby shoe shopping soon! I'll have to see if I can find a Stride Rite store near us. I have fond memories of going to the Stride Rite store when I was little for shoes :-)

mommatotwo2 · May 2014

My LO wears Stride Rites with a flexible rubber sole, just to go outside. Inside, she's in bare feet or socks. I've always been told the less firm, the better. Best to let the foot move naturally while baby is learning to walk.

LaBellaVida · May 2014

I have robeez for Owen...he wears them outside. That's the only time he wears them, no need for shoes inside.

Also, I'm a "younger mom" with a 13 year old....even back then soft sole shoes were still recommended.

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