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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

When do you buy them their first shoes?

22 replies

bramblina · 26/06/2006 21:10

I know you can buy strollers etc, but are they necessary? Is it good to get them in shoes early, or late?

OP posts:

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LIZS · 26/06/2006 21:14

Late unless they regularly walk on rough surfaces outside and need some protection.

Miaou · 26/06/2006 21:15

Not until they are walking confidently on their own and want to walk a lot outdoors. Later rather than sooner is better (IMO strollers are a con )

MarsLady · 26/06/2006 21:15

Late! You have to let their balance develop.

If you want shoes for outside the bobux shoes are great and they don't interfere with the feet. I put shoes on mine as late as I could get away with it (well I figured the first day at school deserved new shoes )

sandradee · 26/06/2006 21:17

My DS is 14 months and is walking properly now so we went and got him a spare of Clarks 1st walkers. I dont think there is any point getting proper ones earlier - they are so expensive.
I have to say they have helped him and he loves trying to put them on.

RubyRioja · 26/06/2006 21:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

beansprout · 26/06/2006 21:19

Ds had his first shoes at 11months but it was winter and he needed something on his feet other than socks (which he kept pulling off). Also, he was about to start at the CM's and she said he should have some.

At this time of year though, I would leave it as long as possible and keep him in places where bare feet were safe.

Rhubarb · 26/06/2006 21:21

They are supposed to go barefoot whenever they can, it's much better for them! I got mine fitted with a proper pair when they were properly walking, i.e. more than just a few steps to daddy! I used them when going out, but as soon as I arrived, or got back home, I would take their shoes off. I still do this. It's much better for their feet not to be cooped up in a leather contraption!

GarfieldsGirl · 26/06/2006 21:37

LATE!!! I only got ds1 some when he was walking about outside, and he only wore them when he was outside walking. ds2 will be the same. I think it lets their feet grow better, at least thats my theory anyway!

That is my 1 gripe - Babies in shoes. I hate it. I had a huge argument with MIL cos she tried to buy ds1 some shoes when he was 6mths. She just didn't understand that he didn't need shoes.

brimfull · 26/06/2006 21:40

it's better to wait about 6 weeks from learning to walk to let their little feet spread out.The foot will change shape because it has new pressure on it.
Bare foot is best if poss.

TooTicky · 26/06/2006 21:43

Try these, as comfy as bare feet but super tough bottoms, and they don't fall off!

TooTicky · 26/06/2006 21:44

Sorry, try again!

TooTicky · 26/06/2006 21:45

Thank goodness!

Miaou · 26/06/2006 21:46

link doesn't work, too ticky

fishie · 26/06/2006 21:47

i hate shoes on babies too and we are barefoot at home, so late as you can - we waited till ds had been walking for 3 months and was properly confident. also we couldn't find proper shoes under a size 4 so he is in pre-walker thingies.

Original poster

bramblina · 26/06/2006 22:34

OK, so late it is then! I am quite against the strollers too, I think- they didn't have them when I was little, so probably just another one of these things you really don't need and cost the earth.

Tooticky, are you meaning these for actual walking or just as slippers for a bit of extra warmth? I only looked at one pair but they're in $...?

OP posts:

laudaud · 05/07/2006 12:54

keeping them out of shoes helps feet to grow... Maybe I will buy 1 year old shoes immediately so she doesn't grow up with the problems I have - big feet - lots of shops stop sizes at 41 (I'm 42 or 43!

riab · 05/07/2006 13:11

late,

we've just bought DS (15 months) his first proper shoes, he is nearly walking and stands alot so he wears them when we go to the park so he isn't standing barefoot on concrete paths to puch his trike along!

over the winter we had a few pairs (of ebay) of soft slipper/pram shows for extra warmth but that was all.

He goes barefoot 90% of the time and will still do so when he is walking!

PS Clarks do a range which has proper shoes in a size 3 1/2 - DS is small!

laudaud · 05/07/2006 13:19

When dd was smaller we bought her starchild and daisy root shoes to keeep her socks on during the cold weather. She has just started walking so will think about getting shoes in the next month or so but only for wearing outside

MadamePlatypus · 05/07/2006 13:35

when I first read this I thought you meant push chair by 'stroller'. I thought it was some new parenting theory - get rid of the buggy, just buy them shoes!

MaloryTowers · 05/07/2006 13:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Coolmama · 07/07/2006 18:33

As late as possible - and then once they have their first pair, if you can, get them to spend as much time as possible barefoot - because all that stuff they do when they walk bare foot like splayed toes, tippy-toes and wriggling toes is all to help strengthen tendons and ligaments in the feet - that's why it is so important to wait until later to get shoes -

Kenneth · 07/07/2006 18:35

Wow, was just coming on here to ask this question

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