when should you buy baby first real shoes

Christi - posted on 02/09/2009

PS: They are only about $30 a pair and last a long time. I can't even tell on the soles that the shoes have been worn. Now I am saving them for my 2nd daughter and I just got my oldest the next size up. A good website with free shipping is www.thebabyhabit.com for the Pedipeds. 

Christi - posted on 02/09/2009

My daughter was barefoot or in those flexible Robez until she was 1 year. Then I only let her wear Pediped. They are a great brand of very flexible soled shoes that allow babies feet to develop as normal as if they were barefoot. EVeryone comments on how great she walks at 15 months and how stable she is. I really think having soft flexible shoes makes a difference. We just moved to Colorado and I got her Sketchers boots for the cold and she stomps around in them and says "off, off!" She hates them because her feet can't flex and move like they should. So I totally recommend the Robeez until they need real shoes for walking and then the Pediped. I learned from my dear friend who just have her 10th baby last Thursday. She has A LOT of experience!

Gena - posted on 02/09/2009

My son HATED shoes when he was a baby and the only ones he would keep on were the soft bottomed Robeez.  Once he started walking, I went to Sride Rite and got some "real" shoes.  Since his feet are REALLY wide, Stride Rites are the only shoes that are wide enough and are comfortable for him!

Brenda - posted on 02/09/2009

I wouldn't worry about "real" shoes until they start walking... however I would suggest having shoes on them some while they are learning so that they feel comfortable in shoes when they are good at walking and need them when you're outside. My pediatrician also said to let my daughter learn to walk barefoot, and we would leave her barefoot at home... but then she would wear shoes while we were out. She seems to do okay either way now, and has been walking for almost 5 months.

Debbie - posted on 02/09/2009

My pediatrician always said that a kid should learn how to walk without shoes.  Mine never wore any shoe at all until after they were walking....once they were mobil in the house, off to Stride Rite we were for those super flexible bendy shoes.  We kept them in the flexible ones until at least 3yo and then we slowly started in the 'regular' shoes at Target, etc.   OH - and my ped made me promise to never use handmedown shoes!!  The shoe forms to the feet right away and your kid's foot will not be the same that is molded into the shoe!

Mary - posted on 02/09/2009

WHen they start walking --i made the mistak of cheap shoes and my sons arches are dropping so i need to go and get his shoes fitted and good support shoes Mary

Cheryl - posted on 02/09/2009

I like the Vans crib shoes for when they are learning to walk or even crawling around because my babies would always get the tops of their feet scraped. But I say when they walk buy "real" shoes but lightweight ones

Moselle - posted on 02/09/2009

I bought Shawn his first real shoes at 3 months (50 dollar Nikes)... but they were for pictures. When they're learning to walk let them go without shoes as much as possible - they will learn quicker and their feet will move naturally.