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Original poster

When should I buy first shoes?

16 replies

Lisa78 · 08/10/2004 14:00

DS2 is 11 mnths and just taking 3 or 4 steps. He hasn't ever been in shoes, just socks or bare feet, so I know zilch about it! When DS1 was a tot, the advice was when they had been walking about 4 weeks, is this still the same?
ta

OP posts:

Marina · 08/10/2004 14:03

Think so Lisa. You could hold off until he is keen and able to walk on outside hard surfaces.

katzguk · 08/10/2004 14:06

we were told to wait 6-8weeks from starting to walk because there feet flatten out a bit due to the weight of their bodies

katzguk · 08/10/2004 14:06

but DD's feet were too small for there smallest walkign shoes so she had some crawling shoes which were very soft and had protective toes on them

KateandtheGirls · 08/10/2004 14:31

If he is going to be outside walking then he'll definitely need some shoes, otherwise no hurry. The more he can be barefoot the better.

nyishie · 08/10/2004 15:42

I worked for a large well know shoe Company in a Customer Service role and as a Childrens Shoe Fitter. We were taught that the best thing for a child's feet is nothing. Shoes should be worn for protection and should probably be purchased when the child really needs them. I would recommend going to a store which offers a fitting service and buying shoes when your child is walking with confidence.

JoolsToo · 08/10/2004 15:55

KATG - I agree with you

zebra · 08/10/2004 17:03

I know I'm the only one to suggest this... but DS & DD were walking at 9-10 months and then were ... 16-18 months? before we got them "proper" shoes. I justed used the pre-walkers (soft sole things) outside for that 7-8 months. And yes, it was over cold wet winter. Always seemed adequate to me; they weren't into stamping puddles yet, and didn't weigh hardly anything, they didn't need firm thick soles.

Donbean · 08/10/2004 18:47

my DB is 15 months and i bought him some shoes with proper bottoms because of the winter comming up, but only a week or so ago.
Until now he has been more than happy in the soft bottom ones. I bought his "big boy shoes" from George at Asda and Next. My friends however have frowned on this as they say that he should be properly measured and have "proper" shoes. I have resisted putting him in these type of shoes (hard bottom ones) up until now as i feel that his feet are so rapidly growing. Therefore "proper" shoes as it were will be restrictive.In addition, because of this i only put him in shoes as little as possible,last min. prior to going out and take them off as soon as we get home. Im told that they must be remeasured every 6 weeks and have new shoes. At £25-£30 a time, it is a bit steap for me.I dont feel that we will get maximum use out of them as i dont put them on him very often.
I do feel somewhat guilty about this but the other shop bought shoes are good quality and fit him well with lots of room. For what little time he spends in them,am i a dreadful tight fisted mother or does any one agree with my thoughts?

Davros · 08/10/2004 18:48

I know I've done massive posts about this before but my BIL and SIL who were in the childrens' shoe business for 30 years or so HATE those soft shoe things, like Bobux, and say they do damage and DO NOT use them. Please don't have a go at me, just passing on their wisdom.

MTS · 08/10/2004 18:50

davros - is the problem with soft shoes for pre-walkers, or for walking children?

Flik · 08/10/2004 19:20

My dd started toddling about 5 weeks ago, bought some of those prewalkers that I think your talking about Davros which she has been in ever since. It is my plan to get her some proper shoes tomorrow,

Flik · 08/10/2004 19:21

(posted before meant to there) Whats up with the soft shoes then? Is there a thread with all this info on Davros?

Original poster

Lisa78 · 08/10/2004 19:59

I didn't realise there was anything intrinsically wrong with the soft shoes - I just thought they were a waste of money

OP posts:

Davros · 08/10/2004 20:09

The info my BIL gave me (very vehemently) is that they're too soft, babies' feet are very soft and need freedom as long as poss and then some structure with great care that the foot won't press into the front of the "shoe". There is a thread where I got a handwritten note from him and retyped it on here. A few people didn't like it much! I think it was called something like Why oh Why.

zebra · 08/10/2004 20:50

Here is the message Davros typed in, before. I'm a bit skeptical, although DD does have some curl on her toes, but then, so do I, and my mum was hyperactive about always getting me "properly" fitting shoes. My kids mostly wear sox or go bear in doors, anyway. Outdoors too, tbh! Presumably both my children have suffered much damage in their feet, it's a miracle they can walk at all... eh?

Original poster

Lisa78 · 08/10/2004 21:19

So basically, leave him as long as possible, then get some decent fitted shoes and only put him in them when we are walking outside? (ie, no need for shoes until he starts school )

OP posts:

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