Shoes - when, what etc

[vallinnapod]

I apologise as I am sure this is one of those topics that regularly pops up.

DS is 1. Happily standing holing on to things, does short stints not holding on (until he realises he is unsupported and sits down). He cruises like a pro and crawls like a demon. He has very little interest in walking holding our fingers and will walk holding a walker if we place him on it (more interested in the stuff on the front)

He is the oldest in his peer groups and most other people are getting shoes. I thought it was best to keep them out of shoes for as long as possible but now I am hearing they should be wearing them to support their feet properly etc.

Help! I don't particularly want to go into Clarke as I can imagine it's in their interest to flog me shoes!

I was told they need shoes when they can walk ten steps unaided. That generally means they're ready for the off!

Ds1 had his first shoes at 16 months when he was raving around.

Ds2 is 14 mo and sounds like your ds. Cruising but not crawling. Just got him his first Clarks shoes two weeks ago.

They have a bumper type thing on the front for when they're crawling. And I'm trying to encourage the walking as I'm having another baby in two months and it's hard work carrying him, ds2 is big.

I think as long as they fit well and it doesn't look awkward with them moving in shoes, they are ready.

*racing!

Not raving!!

Thanks guys!

at 'raving' - an apt description of my DS!

Babies do not need shoes at all - walking barefoot is the best. They certainly do not need shoes when they can walk 10 steps, that is very old out of date advice from some mistaken research that has been shown to be wrong - it was once thought that children don't have arches, adults have arches, forcing an arch helps. It doesn't and in rare cases can cause long term problems but for most it will do nothing but delay competent walking. There are a very few situations where supportive shoes may be necessary but they will be medically indicated.

For protection from sharp things or the cold when walking outdoors, the most flexible shoes possible are best - leather soled moccasin like things are best, or very light flexible rubber if wet (these will be hard to find)