1 yo Meltdown when wearing first shoes

[Louise7777]

Hi all. Lo has been walking for a bit now around the house so we went to Clarks and got him his first pair of shoes in the hope I could pop him down now and rhen outside and he could walk. Anyone had a complete meltdown in the shop but just about managed to get them. Back home whenever we put them on his cries and refuses to move. If I stand him I was cry and not move at all or if he's sitting he will lie on the floor. I've tried putting them on when hes in the highchair too so he couldn't see but it made no difference. Help!!!!! He can't be bear foot forever

I was telling my DS about this yesterday. He did exactly the same thing, screamed like we were trying to murder him in Clark’s.

We just kept trying to put them on till eventually he got used to them.

Ah thanks. I'm not the only one. The clarsk incident was very awkward. Dh was like everyone is looking at us lol!! I assumed it's because he had his jabs the other week and a random stranger was near his legs but no he hates wearing shoes. Will not move. I'm just going to have to keep putting them on several times a day I think until he gives up!! Lol

My DS never really got into shoes. I’d double check with the shop that the fit is correct and just keep trying every now and then. Are there any lightweight softer alternatives you could try as a bridge before real shoes.
My DS threw a brand new Clarke’s shoe out of a convertible car on a dual carriageway once on the way back from the shoe shop.

Yep, standard I'm afraid, just persevere!

Sounds like they're probably uncomfortable for him if he's getting upset. Are they lightweight and flexible? Most kids' shoes are awful designs for developing feet....

Sorry, I really disagree that this should be standard. It's cos he's not comfy - the shoes shouldn't feel like a big.difference for him, and if they do then either they don't fit properly or they're a bad design. I really don't agree with getting a new walker "used" to wearing shoes by making them carry on when they don't like them...the shoes shouldn't feel that different from socks if they're comfy and flexible.

They are light weight and I've also tried another pair in the same size and same reaction. He just wants to live bear foot

We tried several on in the shop and these we the best fit for him. He feet were too big for cruises are crawling shoes and so Clarks first walkers we have. I can't see how they can be uncomfortable, she checked his size they are really cushioning and very soft. He has never worn shoes before tho not even pram ones just very thick socks and booty type things when it was really cold

its like my daughter never wanted to wear clothes

While it seems normal to us, shoes are a whole new sensory experience to them. Going from months of freedom to their weird contraptions on their feet!

He'll get there. Just keep trying but gently. At 3, my daughter will wear some shoes and not others, same as I would as an adult based on how comfy they feel to me!

Try the moccasin style soft soles slip on ones first. None of mine would wear Clark's at that age. Or try bobux for really flexible but with a proper sole.

This was us too. Everyone at Clark's turned to watch my son who was screaming as though he was being tortured.

Once we got him home, he would trip, fall, crawl, sob, every time we put them on.

Eventually I did a couple of days where we looked at and talked about the shoes. Couple of times wearing them while he just sat on my lap. Then some really brief spells - 10/15 mins - wearing them.

After a week he was totally fine.

If he hates them, I’d get some tough but flexible waterproof bootees like Stonz. They will do him for a while (mine lasted a year with dd, as they’re so adjustable) and by that time he might be happier with shoes.

mine was like that until she got red ones. That made all the difference.

This happened with is, we figured that the shoes felt weird as he was well past 1 years old. We just kept putting them on and eventually he got used to them

Yes his happened to me with my DS complete had a meltdown when they tried to measure his feet wouldn't even walk in the shoes I gave up the first go tried him again same thing and just bought the shoes and went home he was fine and ever since doesn't mind having his feet measured or trying new shoes and walking in them that was a year ago now but yes it happened and I'm just praying and hoping that when it's my DD turn she won't do the same or if she does I'll know just to get the shoes and bail once her feet are measured

I am also in the ‘shoes are not natural’ camp.
Think about how much you feel when you walk barefoot - your LO is used to all that sensory feedback. It would be like being forced to wear thick gloves all day, no wonder they’re not keen!
Also try bending the clarks shoes-are they flexible? Can you fold the shoe in half? Your child’s foot has layers of muscles that need to strengthen to create their arch. Feedback from the feet is also crucial for balance and proprioceptive development.

Ok off my soap box now! Have a look on www.happylittlesoles.co.uk for softer shoes in larger sizes. I can particularly recommend the bobux xplorers.

Dd2 did the same. We couldn't even buy shoes the first time she was measured as we weren't sure it was correct.

She did get the first walkers when she was 14months. She hated them. Cried when she saw them.

The thing that worked was letting her into the back garden. She loves being outside. I just kept saying put on your shoes and let's go outside. After a couple of times it worked. She gets excited when she sees the shoes now as she knows she's going walking outside.

I don't put shoes in her if she's inside or in the buggy. She's now into a pair of proper Clark's shoes 2 months later. Didn't cry at the fitting. It was amazing.