starting to toddle - shoes or not?

[TracyK]

will it be a help or a hinderance to get shoes for a 11mo starting to walk? he's only indoors and won't be walking outside for a while. He uses his little toes for balance so well I'm not sure if he's better off using the little muscles without shoes??

[Laylasmum]

definately better without shoes at the mo.i just got shoes when my dd started to walk outside or at toddler group. bare feet are best of all if your floors are warm enough!!

[wobblyknicks]

When dd started to toddle I didn't put any shoes on her, I tried some but they seemed to drag her feet down and stop her being able to move properly. Then when she was properly walking I got her some soft shoes and she's now 19 months and toddling outside a lot (in wellies) and really confident walking so its only now I'm going to get 'proper' shoes. I just felt that indoors she was far better off with bare feet and she seems to enjoy it more.

[jenkel]

Better without shoes, if you have to use anything use the soft leather Daisy Roots style shoe. I left it quite late before I put dd in shoes, firstly they are expensive and their feet do grow really quickly to start with.

[Fimbo]

I think you are supposed to wait 6 weeks from when they first start walking properly. It is because they curl their toes when they first walk. My ds (nearly 14mths) has just started walking and I can't wait to get his first pair!

[Kelly1978]

bare feet are def better to start with. I did take mine to clarks for some soft first walkers tho, for when we went out to mother and toddler groups. They are really soft and bendy, much better than hard shoes.

[TracyK]

yes Fimbo - i can see his little toes curling - he's so cute!
I shall wait 6 weeks - save the money - although by that time (hopefully) it'll be warm enough outdoors for bare feet. But I spose he'll need them for nursery as they are outdoors a lot there.

[wobblyknicks]

sorry to hijack but jenkel, just out of interest, when was 'quite late' for you? Just asking because everyone thinks I'm mad for still not having proper shoes for dd at 19mo, although I am planning to get some next time I go shopping with her. But tried some at 15mo and she really didn't seem happy in them so I didn't see the point - just wondering how late other people have left it.

[HandbagAddiction]

dd is 17 months old and still not in shoes - but then she's not walking yet either! However - have just recently bought some cruising shoes for her as she is about to move up a group in nursery and they spend a lot more time outside - and I can't have her standing up outside in February in her bare feet or just socks! So nursery will hopeully only put her shoes on when she's outside and for the rest of the time, she'l be without. Only ever have her in bare feet or socks at home.

Have to say though - she's not too keen on them either....

[Carameli]

agree with the others that bare feet or socks is better until she wants to walk outside. DD is 16mnths and we have only just got her proper clarks first shoes last week as she is much more confident in walking now.

Indoors I still have her in bare feet or socks if its cold. I also had a pair of those soft shoes from Robeez which were great for when she went to nursery.

Its great when they get a bit more confidence and want to walk outside with you. But now I also have the problem if major tantrums when I need to get dd into her buggy. You just can't win!!

[starlover]

leave him out of shoes for as long as possible!
As well as curling toes and things, little ones need to be able to feel the floor so that they can get their balance properly.
wait until you need something to protect his feet outside, and then get him something.
You can expect him to go up about a half size every 3 months, so it's often a waste of money to buy shoes when they're still learning because you just don't get much use out of them.

[pixiefish]

didn't bother with srawling or cruising shoes for dd. about 2 months after she was walking confidently i bought her her first pair. As she's still only 1 though I wanted light soft shoes for her so we got the clarks cruising shoes. She only wears them when she's going to be walking outside- never have them on in the house/car/pram. I really think it's best to let their tiny feet develop before putting them in shoes