pre-walkers - what are they?

[fells]

My 12 month old has just started to stand holding onto things. When should I get her fitted with 'proper' shoes? She has never worn anything on her feet before apart from socks. What exactly are pre-walkers? Are they the same as the 'pretend' shoes you can buy in all baby clothes shops for newborns upwards? Would it do her any harm to be on two feet barefooted?

Thanks!

I read recently that shoes should only be worn when children have started to walk outstide due to too much pressure can damage the little bones.

Not sure how true though!

It is better for toddlers to be just in barefeet until you need to get shoes for outside walking ...
Don't waste your money on those prewalker things ... as it is summer in the UK leave her in bare feet and socks and then buy her some shoes in September.

Yep, def. waste of money, as it was abit chilly I used those soft leather daisy roots type shoes on DS (they're like very soft slippers) and then sandals when he started walking lots.

I think even Clarks say not to get proper shoes until they've been walking for 4 weeks or so as their foot shape changes so much

My DD had prewalkers when she was cruising, for use outside. She was cruising at atime when she needed more than socks on her feet if on the goound outside, and I didn't want her in proper soled shoes at that time. She only wore than when cruising - prefered barefeet when sat/in pushcahir (still does prefer barefeet now!) but they did have their use for us.

the prewalkes basically have a softer sole than a normal shoe. As others have said might be better sticking with daisy roots and the like.

ds wears little canvas things with velcro across the top. the sole is just two layers of canvas with little gripper dots on the sole.
i got them from monsoon. he only wears them when he wants to walk about in tesco etc. or in the garden.
at home he is barefoot