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Original poster

is anyone a podiatrist? when to switch to hard soled shoes?

40 replies

nappyaddict · 13/02/2007 02:05

friends dd is 2.5 and still wearing soft soled shoes as these are the next best thing to bare feet apparently. she wants to know when it would be ok to switch to hard soled shoes as she can't carry on wearing the soft ones forever.

OP posts:
Original poster
nappyaddict · 13/02/2007 02:05

also what's better indoors - socks or the soft shoes?

OP posts:
ghosty · 13/02/2007 03:42

I am amazed that at 2.5 she hasn't worn hard soled shoes yet. Does she ever go outside?
I thought the common advice was 'normal' shoes around 6 weeks after they start walking, not before.

ghosty · 13/02/2007 03:42

My children always go barefoot indoors. Or socks in the winter.

Original poster
nappyaddict · 13/02/2007 03:50

yes she wears the soft soled ones outside too.

OP posts:
ghosty · 13/02/2007 05:12

Personally, I think she may be being a bit OTT on this nappyaddict. I am sure hard soled shoes (good Clark's ones for the right size etc) would be fine now. I don't think a podiatrist would honestly say at 2.5 she couldn't wear normal shoes.
But of course that is merely my opinion

Original poster
nappyaddict · 13/02/2007 06:52

you're probably right.

OP posts:
robbosmum · 14/02/2007 08:26

Nappyaddict - re: new query,,, will get back to you tommorrow,,mum away for a day..sorry

Original poster
nappyaddict · 14/02/2007 10:06

thats fine - you should tell her to join mn!

OP posts:
robbosmum · 15/02/2007 09:42

Nappyaddict, mum says on hard floors - soft shoes,

Kelly1978 · 15/02/2007 09:43

those soft shoes aren't supposed to be suitable for outdoors are they?

MrsGoranVisnjic · 15/02/2007 09:45

OMG that's ridiculous .. first child?

soft-soled shoes outside will not protect the foot against stepping on things - jagged stones / glass / metal / nails / dog poo

a child who is capable of walking and has been doing so for 6 weeks minimum should have hard-soled shoes for outdoors

indoors .. bare feet or socks (that fit)

robbosmum · 15/02/2007 09:45

soory bouncing between 2 threads,
and for carpet,,,if cold, soft leather shoes as they always kick off their socks,,, but where possible and safe , bare feet, as it helps with toe grip and foot mechanics, ie moving the muscles in the feet leading to good muscle strength and improved balance.hope this helps

ScottishThistle · 15/02/2007 09:48

Podiatrists reccommend 2 years old, before then bare feet are advisable when possible as this encourages a child to walk on their tip toes which builds balance & leg muscles...I hope that's helpful!

Kelly1978 · 15/02/2007 10:04

walking on tip toes is positive? I never heard that before. I worried about mine when they developed habits of walking on tip toes. They don't do it so much now though. The dts (23mnths) hate socks or shoes and it's a bit sad becuase they are already losing their gorgeos soft baby feet from running around barefoot all the time.

MrsGoranVisnjic · 15/02/2007 10:04

when possible means where no foreign objects can get lodged in skin and cause problems ie indoors

ScottishThistle · 15/02/2007 10:13

A lot of people think tip-toe walking isn't positive when in actual fact it's much more difficult than walking on the whole foot therefore the children have much better balance!

Original poster
nappyaddict · 15/02/2007 10:49

ds doesnt really kick off his socks so then would your mum say socks or soft shoes indoors?

OP posts:
piglit · 15/02/2007 10:51

Ds2 got his first pair of hard soled shoes yesterday. He has been walking for 3 months (he is 15 months old) and we were advised by the lovely people at Russell and Bromley that he should be wearing hard soled shoes now. We did the exactly the same with ds1.

ScottishThistle · 15/02/2007 10:53

Indoors I'd say socks with rubber grips if your child has very cold feet... I find most children are happier in bare feet though!

piglit · 15/02/2007 10:55

Yes - I agree. My dses (and I) are always in barefeet indoors but they do walk a lot outside and I think the hard soled shoes are much better for that than the soft soled shoes. Mind you, ds2 looks like a clown with his huge new shoes on.

tissy · 15/02/2007 10:56

Not a podiatrist, but it is best for kids to go barefoot as much as possible.

If shoes are needed then they should be as flexible as possible, feet need to MOVE!

And... tiptoe walking is OK occasionally, but if persistent can mean there is an underlying problem. We are supposed to walk on flat feet, encourageing the child to walk on tiptoes is daft. Walking/ running/ climbing barefoot is all the exercise a child needs.

ScottishThistle · 15/02/2007 11:05

Sorry Tissy but a Podiatrist would tell you walking on tip toes builds balance & leg muscles, obviously if a child is 3 years old & still on tip toes that's something to worry about!

ScottishThistle · 15/02/2007 11:11

I searched & found this Podiatrists opinion:

babiestoday.com/expertqa/answers/136.htm

ScottishThistle · 15/02/2007 11:12

Try again, rubbish at this!

www.babiestoday.com/expertqa/answers/136.htm

ScottishThistle · 15/02/2007 11:13

Sorry I can't get it to link!!!

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