[bringit]

What age do you think a baby/toddler should start wearing shoes in public ??

Is it just once they start walking...?

Do you think a baby should always wear shoes no matter the age?

i actually don't know!

[Majeix]

Shoes aren't very good for the feet of small babies. They have far more bones as they haven't yet fused togehter. Even when they start to walk bare feet are much better. I understand it is considered tackly to have them barefoot but seriously I am not puttings shoes on a tiny baby when it's not good for them just because people think babies should wear shoes. We had some soft leather shoes for walkers but avoided real shoes for as long as possible. We also tried to give some outside play in bare feet as well where safe and appropriate my eldest got more because of the time of year though.It's not just the shoes for walking/playing bare foot it's also the sensory stuff they miss out on.


ETA even now at two my youngest is bare foot a lot of time when in the pram, theirs no need for her to wear shoes for warmth and she has been known to take them off and throw them away. I don't want to lose another pair of shoes particuarly at the price I paid for them. And if she is more comfortable with them off then I have no problem. The shoes sit under the pram and are put on when she gets out. At the weather cools down I'll have to start insiting on at least socks but I see no need to force shoes on her atm when she is not walking around.

This post has been edited by Majeix: 27/03/2012, 02:37 AM

[Mamabear2010]

I read that you are best off not putting them in shoes until 6 weeks after they start walking.

I followed that advise and even now, at 20 months, I only put shoes on ds if I have to. He's barefeet most of the time. In fact, he only owns one pair of shoes.

I also made sure I went to a kids shoe shop for his shoes. I'd read how important it is for them to wear supportive shoes, not thongs etc.

[4WD_Baby#1]

In Tas is a different story. At the moment it isnt very warm and we have our wet days too, so theres no use having a youngster in just warm socks. Theyd get wet. I imagine being barefoot would work in places like WA most of the year.

It also depends on the environment you live too, our place is full of bees, wasps and occasional bullants in the non-grassy areas. Shoes are definitely a requirement outside when the child is walking.

I am very much into 4wding, so any future kiddies of ours will be in hiking boots at around 2 if we have bbqs and social get togethers and they cant stay in the 4wd.

[Carmen02]

only when they are confidently walking they need shoes! DS2 is 16mths old and only just started walking and has never had a pair of shoes not going to rush out and buy a pair his still not confident..my older 2 barely wore them till 2

[livvie7586]

OK OP, what kind of shoes are you talking about? hard soled/structured shoes? not until after they're walking, and only when necessary. those fabric type 'shoes' (that really aren't anything more then fabric)? whenever. DD used to have a pair of the fabric type she couldn't get off, so they used to go on over socks whenever we left the house.

[PeppaPig]

I have only ever put shoes on when we are out and about. I advise parents to get shoes 6-8wks after walking starts but to stick to bare feet as much as possible..
Look out for good quality early/pre walker shoes that are very flexible, ask around for a good shoe store that will fit and advise correctly on size..
Keep an eye on the fit as little feet can grow quickly.
IMHO crocs are NOT suitable shoes for little feet, yes they are easy to put on, but the number of small children I see struggling to walk/play in them properly makes me sad...
Also more for summer though get sandels that cover the toes as it saves them getting grazed...

[*mylittleprince*]

I think when your child starts to walk that you should buy proper structured walking shoes. Yes, they are expensive but much better for their feet. Before that, I think soft soled shoes are ok for crawling if there are any hazards, otherwise no shoes is fine. DS is 2.6 and barefoot most of the day.

[bringit]

OK OP, what kind of shoes are you talking about?

was just wondering when it becomes "tacky" to have babies out with no shoes on.

thanks everyone learnt lots already!! i didn't know kids shoe shops sold shoes so small (that must sound so stupid! haha) i'll be checking them out!

thanks for the advice

This post has been edited by bringit: 27/03/2012, 10:52 AM

[lsolaBella]

Mine got their first pair of shoes 6-8wks after they could walk. Their first shoes were Tip Toey Joey's

Before that (if I knew they would be crawling outside) they would have some soft leather covering like Baby Paws

Oh yeah. My kids were late walkers at 16.5-19.5m so we were 'no shoes' for a LONG time.