[VinniesMommy]

Scarlette has been walking around the furniture for some time now. She has taken a few steps on her own, but she's not "walking" per say yet. Now, a couple weeks ago we got her a pair of walking sneakers ((so adorable by the way! they are little pink Nikes )) and I put them on her every morning. It doesn't seem to make a difference in her walking at all ((not that I was trying)) so is it better to have them wear shoes while learning to walk, or go at it bare foot? She doesn't seem to have a opinion, and I just want her to get all the use out of $45 shoes that she can, haha! I just don't know if her walking could be effected by it. TIA

[Michelespreemies]

I have always been told that you should leave them bare until they learn to walk or cruise around furniture. If it doesn't change her ability, then I wold not worry.

[DivasMomma]

barefoot is usually best, but Kaydee learned faster and walked better in shoes...its really up to her i would say...if it doesnt make a difference I would say no shoes is better

[ruthann8]

No shoes are best. Even after she gets good at walking I would do no shoes when inside. The feet are still developing and shoes are constraining.

[ASheppa0821]

I was always told that the shoes give them support when they're trying to learn to walk and have wobbly ankles. Emma did her best walking in shoes, but I got her the Stride Rite shoes that had the higher ankle support. They also had rubber soles that came up on top of the toes and up the back of the heal so she wouldn't wear out the leather when she was crawling and playing. I think it's just personal preference.

[mollymae]

I've never put shoes on my kids till a couple of months after they learnt to walk. I always found that their feet spread out a lot in the first few weeks of them learning to walk. The bones in their feet are soft cartilage at this age, which is very easily moulded incorrectly if they are wearing shoes that don't fit properly.

[angelic_ky]

speaking professionally; you should have them go bare footed as their feet are still developing... in fact many stores here wont sell shoes to bubs until they can demonstrate that they can walk well (usually 6 weeks after they have started walking)

[1stTimeMomOf2]

I bought my kids the slipper style shoes you can get at Target. They are very flexible but offer some grip as they kept sliding all over in their socked feet. We have hard wood floors all over our house. If we had carpet I probably wouldn't bother. But - I am starting to put shoes on them when we go out so they get used to having to wear them. They don't seem to mind them. I'd say if she can cruise bare footed then let her, but if you go out and about and let her cruise then use shoes so she gets used to having them on. I always buy the cheaper shoes because their little feet have grown so fast. They jumped 2 sizes since the last time I actually bought real tennis shoes instead of the slippers! My husband hates shoes himself so he never puts them on them, I guess they'll figure it out when they want to run around outside and step on something sharp or pokey.

[mollymae]

Originally Posted by angelic_ky

speaking professionally; you should have them go bare footed as their feet are still developing... in fact many stores here wont sell shoes to bubs until they can demonstrate that they can walk well (usually 6 weeks after they have started walking)

It's the same in the UK.

I found an article about it here http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/0...alk_sooner.htm

[angelic_ky]

i think it's the same in most countries but i wasn't sure