[MrsMaryland]

for the mommies with little ones who are walking/trying to walk:

ok, so i'm hearing two different things.

my parents are saying that the baby needs to wear (hard bottom) shoes now that he's up and trying to walk.

my friends who are moms say that is better for the babies to walk around bare foot.

(and little sean says that he hates his shoes)

does it matter?

[chrissyf320]

When Kaleigh began to walk at 9 months we just let her run around bare foot. The doctor told us that is just fine to do. She didn't like wearing shoes either. By the time she had mastered walking we put shoes on her (about 10-11 months) and she fell down a couple times trying to get used to the feeling, but she got used to it and then didn't mind wearing them.

[MiracleBaby06]

i heard its better bare foot so their feet to form right then shoes when they can walk good to prevent flat foot

[twinzplus3]

Agreed--bare foot is much better. Your parents advice is a little outdated--that used to be what was recommended. But honestly, I don't think it matters so much. My kids all hate wearing shoes. . .and clothes for that matter. . .

[angelic_ky]

i've done shoe fitting training and we don't sell shoes to babies that are just walking as it is better to be bare footed; in fact i plan to leave Bubbie barefooted until it's about 18 mnth (excluding if we are playing outside or have gone out somewhere)

[MissyChrissy]

imo-shoes are optional. Even at 31!!! I HATE shoes, my girls hate shoes, and I'm not putting them on Conner unless I have to (going in a store after he's 2).

The people with awful foot fungusy-things are the ones who get up, put shoes on, and leave them there until they go to bed at night. Feet NEED to breath!!!! Unless you're walking on rocks, shoes are just a waste. imo....obviously, not a medical opinion at all! lol

[mcmama]

Barefoot. Definitely.

In NYC, my oldest wore soft sole shoes or socks or was barefoot until he was over a year and insisting on walking outside on the concrete. Then the soles were flexible for a toddlers feet, but more durable.

In the burbs, my youngest did not wear shoes at all until about 18 months. He walked late due to other medical complications. Barefoot most of the time, or socks, or soft slippers. He HATED shoes.

The hard sole advice is very out dated. It goes back to when I was a kid in the baby boom years. My oldest is 21 and it was old advice then.

[oweirdo]

I agree I hate shoes so do all my kids. Court had some fur lined leather soft shoes for the winter, and we could not keep them on.

[MiracleBaby06]

i HATE shoes, im always barefoot. i only wear shoes when i REALLY have to, ive even gone to the store in slippers a few times lol. i do put shoes on aiyana but its more for show when we are out

[KatieAG]

hmm... my mom told me that I should get a professionaly fitted shoe to help build Daniel's arch. I took him to Stride Rite where they could measure his foot right and got him some sneakers from there. They actually did help to build his arch a little bit and I love them they are so cute. I also got him a pair of Robeez to wear around the house and on the beach. Daniel likes the Robeez because they are so comfortable on him.
I prefer to keep something on his feet even if it's just socks. When we go outside he definetely has to wear his shoes. I have always just grown up with the thought that babies need to have fitted shoes when they start to walk because that's how my mom was with me and all her kids.