When to get dd some shoes?

[cheekymonk]

Hi all. My dd aged 13 mths took a step yesterday at least twice without holding on. She also stood in hallway for ages without holding on to anything. I can tell there is a definite change in her and she seems more purposeful ifswim. Anyway, she enjoys the park but with no shoes its a bit limiting. I want to encourage this movement and thought park or soft play would be ideal but don't want to introduce shoes or give her something else to contend with too soon. I remember my ds took a while to adjust to shoes. My dd has not had any shoes up to this point. Any advice would be appreciated.

why dont you want to introduce her to shoes ? what age would you think about getting them for her ? my 4 had soft pram shoes,but for going to the park,i think you would need something a bit more substancial,incase she stands on something.once my were walking on their own,was when i got proper shoes.

I recently got my 14 month dgs his first pair of clarks proper shoes,he took a step and fell flat on his face in the shop and cut all his nose :(..

I do want to introduce her to shoes but have always believed that their feet/bones are better off bare foot for as long as possible. I am not sure if I should wait until she is confidently walking which is kind of what you saying. Thank you.

I was advised that about 6 weeks after they first start walking confidently by themselves.

DS took a couple of independant steps at 15 months - but then went back to cruising for another month. The day he turned 16 months he starting wandering around the house, completely independantly. We got his first shoes about 6 weeks later.

I got mine ballet shoes at that stage. If you get the leather ones then they last reasonably well, they can walk a bit outside in them (not wet or stony), have a non slip sole and cost about 1/3 the price of clarks first walkers.

Hooray for your dd!

DD1 had bobux soft leather shoes (marketed as the next best alternative to bare feet) which worked well for her.

DD2 has had shoes earlier as we live in a cold climate with lots of snow around she needed something sturdier to stop her feet getting wet and cold. Maybe because of this there has been a big time-lapse in between DD2 walking indoors and outdoors. Though this could be because the snow and ice has only just melted now.

Good luck!

Thank you Ladies! It is exciting! I will hang on for the shoes... Thanks for your advice x

What does dd meen?

darling daughter x

I think British culturally put shoes on children a lot younger than some other cultures. DH is kiwi and he won't blink an eyelid to have young children play barefoot in the park. (Weather permits. Obviously you need footware when it's snowing). Cheekymonk you already know it's better for them to be barefoot for as long as possible.

I've heard bobux and other alternative to bare feet soft shoes being good comprimises.

Yeas definitely. I find it interesting. DD was bought shoes when she was born by quite a few people. I was quite shocked!

I felt bad on opening shoes as a gift from others when my DD was born. I just don't understand their point (the shoes, not the givers). I have a couple of pairs of padders, which are really just like baggy socks, and I use them sometimes if its cold rather than socks.

Thanks for the Bobux tip, saved them to my favourites for when dd is old enough. Really do not want to line Mr Clarkes pockets, but want decent footwear for her.

Oh, should say, I felt bad in regards to them never getting used, not in a "wish they'd got me something better" kind of way

Just realised, I never explianed that very well.

Don't worry, I think we know what you mean. Why do we need shoes for crawlers (or even pre-crawlers)? Or maybe I'm just too stinge to see the point of spending £12 on footwear for a under 3mo. (I was given something like those). Maybe when we have our grandchildren, they'll be selling crawler kneepads to protect their delicate knee caps!

Second time the charm: link.

I do just think they look ridiculous. It's all about 'the look' if you ask me (I know you didnt), like a bloody fashion parade.

I put mine straight into a 'clothes to pass on to friends' bag.

dd is 14mo, she had been in the Clarks crawlers (outlet shop price - no way, was I going to pay full price) but is now walking more confidentally and thought she needed something more suitable for outdoor so took her to Clarks on Sunday - the woman told me not to bother until she had been walking for 4-6 weeks, saved me £32 and means can now go back to outlet shop !
I think these 'fashion' shoes are awful - if you are going to get something go for something that is fitted correctly etc

Thanks happyjoyful. Glad they put kids health before profits sometimes! x

Well after deciding to wait my dd has just had 1 year check where I was told that I need to get her shoes asap so she gets used to them whilst learning to walk!