What kinds of shoes?!?

Hey guys! So, as many of you know, my 10 month old is running around! she does not wear shoes unless we are out at the mall or on the side walk (when it's nice) and that is for at the most 10 minutes... she wears slippers at the sitters (she has hardwood floors) and I made sure they had the antislip thing on the bottom (she already fell NASTY and cracked her head after slipping on those floors...).
I've read and heard from my pedi that she needs 'soft' sole shoes at this point because her feet are still forming... but... how soft?? how flexible? how much support does she need?????
I bought a pair of sneakers for her (one size bigger, but it's not big on her... her toe is just not scrunched like with the other ones!! she has room in there...) from walmart (yeah, cheapie kind) and she seems to do fine with them... but the soles are parted in two... the heal and the bigger part that supports the front of the foot. The rest is flexible plastic (real soft).
So as I was talking with this woman yesterday (I personally don't care much for her... ) she actually YELLED at me for putting these 'wobbly' shoes on Maddie! she said they were way too big and too soft with no support that they needed now... that they were gonna mess up her feet! =(
So she took out some other shoes she had from her 18 m/o when she was younger (actually gave them to me) and said these are the NICE EXPENSIVE kind... (forget the name brand) and they ARE really nice... but certainly can't afford it! =(
Those had complete (like grown up) sole, but it was flexible.. not as wobbly as Maddie's but pretty flexible... and they are wide and tall (to fit chubby feet) so they fit PERFECT!
She said her pedi (which happens to be the same as ours!!) told her that they needed support and a firm (but flexible) sole... which only leaves me with a bunch of question marks above my head!!!!

I just think it must be so uncomfortable for her to walk with a hard sole!!! not to mention the damage it does to her soft feet!!!

What kinds of shoes do you put on your walking infant/toddler??!?!?! (any specific brands you recommend??) I mean, I can definitely save money to buy her the expensive kind... I rather that than hurt my baby... I just don't wanna compromise her health for some bucks.... =/

[GNicole]

Avery's first "real" shoes were New Balance and then after that she had a pair of Nike sneakers. She did well with those. Stride Rite are good shoes too. Good luck V and don't worry about that annoying woman! lol!

[kellym]

I think you need more like a pedi-ped. Yeah, they are a bit pricey but soft sole.

[kellym]

Or, Robeez

[GRose]

Noah's first shoes when he was walking were just the cheapo ones from target, he did pretty well with them and it was nice to only spend $8 on shoes that he would grow right out of. They weren't very soft, his doctor didn't specify on what shoes he should be wearing. I like stride rite shoes too, they are supposed to be good for little feet but they are on the pricey side.
Go with velcro for sure, you don't want to be chasing Maddie around to tie her shoes every 10 minutes. For some reason those tiny laces come undone no matter how tight you double knot them.
I still cant believe she is walking already!!!

[Whitneylauren]

I read in Parents Magazine that it is imperative that children wear completely soft soled shoes until they are almost 2. Hard soled shoes will hinder the growth and development of their feet. They should basically feel like they are walking around with bare feet when wearing the shoe.
Also, I am surprised by your friend- used shoes are REALLY bad for children. This is because the sole has already conformed to the shape of another child. When children wear used shoes it can throw off their back alignment and everything.
My son lived in Robeez until he was almost 2 (by then it was winter and he really needed warmer shoes). I would recommend them to anyone.

[rubyolivia]

When Max started walking, he had a WIDE foot. We took him to Stride Rite and got him a pair of nice tennis shoes that were not bulky. They were lightweight and the sole could bend in half. They were the perfect shoe (he was 10 months at the time)! He has also always worn the canvas Converse Chuck Taylor's. Very "bendy' sole. As long as you can bend the shoe in half, I think you're ok. :)

[GNicole]

I just got Avery a pair of Pedi-peds a couple weeks ago and they are great!! Robeez are good too but my pediatrician said to get a sneaker. It is so funny how everyone says something different!

[rubyolivia]

Oh, I know alot of people like the Robeez and that type of shoes. I, however, am not a fan of them. My nephew wore them until he was over a year old and when he HAD to wear shoes because he was going to a daycare that required toddlers to wear shoes....the boy couldn't walk. He fell over all the time in his shoes!!

[Renogirl]

The Robeez and Bobux brands are both really nice - soft soled so little feet can move naturally and grab on to the floor - suede bottoms - so pretty slip free - Robeez are available online and at Stride Rite - but are expensive - about 25 - 30 a pair - I have always gotten Abby the Bobux Ministars at Target - about 12 a pair - and they last for quite a while - they might seem a little long at first - but she grows into them - and out of them pretty quickly - they also have elastic around the ankle - only shoes Abby will keep on her feet - She is fairly rough on them - the current pair she has almost worn the leather off the toes (crawling outside will do that) but they hold up really well and wipe up clean easily with a Clorox wipe or a baby wipe

[lfb]

Anna has a new pair of Pedipeds and they are great!  I bought silver mary janes and they match basically everything.  I felt they were worth the price because they go with so many things.

[AnnieBrooke]

Our pedi told us at Augie's 2-year checkup to just have him go barefoot or wear socks with grippers, except when outside.

[lovethebops]

Sorry, I love the robeez! I used them exclusively for Jordana this time around(never invested in them for Madelyn) and she was walking at 10 months..I think they HELPED her- Madelyn just wore the cheap-y hard soled shoes and she walked at around a year. I swear by them. However, the soft soled Robeez, are not practical for outside. So I bought a pair of Robeez Tredz, which are a harder soled shoe, for older walking children, but are still soft and have elastic backs and room to grow. Yes, they are Pricey, but I love them because, 1) They are so darn cute! 2) They STAY on her feet better than any other kind 3) Robeez have a great resale value on Ebay, which is where I unload many of my children's finer things once they have been outgrown :)

I say, go on ebay and buy some used that are still in good shape, that is exactly what I did...You can find good deals, and I actually made a profit on some of the ones I bought USED! New, in stores(boutiques, rather, can't find these expensive suckers in walmart;() and on ebay, I think Robeez Tredz retail for around $40, but I got mine for about half that on Ebay. Jordana does wear other hard soled dress shoes and she wears her sister's hand me down nike's, and she walks fine in them too-although it took her some time to get used to them, since she was so used to the 'crib shoes'...

Hey-Whatever works, thats what I say ;)

[pinkbelle]

my ped told me to keep aubree barefooted whenever possible since she just started walking.. she said shoes hinder her.. and that she needs to be able to feel when she is walking.. now when she absolutely has to wear shoes she has about 4 pair..  i got her the robeez, she also has a pair of nike's and two or three pair from target..  but i keep her bare foot most of the time and she is now walking at 10 months old : )  

[Tanker Chic]

Target has some imitation Robeez.. they are only $12.. super soft.. like wearing moccasins.. they have some real cute ones for girsl.  

[vsentz]

wow thank you girls!! SO MUCH GREAT ADVISE!!
Yep, I knew the soft soles are way better for them,... I don't know what this woman was talking about! in fact, when I saw her 18 month old wearing cheapie boots inside the house (very clean carpet) I thought: boy this is probably really bad for her feet! she's still  little! but didn't say much... then she said how her pedi told her they need support and a firm shoe... I was like "huh?!?!' I've heard ALL the opposite!

Oh, by the way, the shoes she gave me are brand new. Her girl didn't wear them since they were way too big for her (dressy christmassy shoes) and they'll be too small by the time she gets to the next season. I don't care if they are velvety red with ribbons! if she needs to walk outside... she's wearing nice expensive NY shoes! lol

I was checking out Pediped's website: THEY ARE TOO CUTE!!! I want them all! lol

In the meantime... her feet will remain shoeless...;)

[GRose]

I wonder why Noah's ped never told me to keep him in soft soled shoes. I hope I didn't mess his feet up :(

[vsentz]

Girl, I don't think you messed his feet up.... he's walking fine now! isn't  he? I think if there was a problem with him you'd have already noticed... ;))
I can't believe she's walking either! it's just like a little fart walking (she looks like a little penguin.. and she puts both arms up like a monkey!! lol it's too much!)
She always makes her baby sounds when walking... or gets excited and runs... (and ends on her butt most times...) or starts squating, bouncing up and down when she's dancing... IT-IS-TOO-CUUUUUUUTE!!!! LOL.....

[melimeli]

robeez are the best my second wore them forever!  I love them

[tiredbuthappy]

My ped also emphasized either barefoot/socks, or flexible soles. i actually found some very cute and very soft/flexible shoes cheap at burlington coat factory. I wish they made them in bigger sizes- i want shoes like that to be her "inside" shoes since i HATE those giant character slippers (seriously- who can walk in those???)

Now at 20 months, I do have harder soled shoes, although I try to find as flexible as possible. I simply can't afford $40 shoes for her. Someone forgot to tell her she's a girl, and she LIVES in the mud, so we need several pairs. Indoors, she stays in socks. I can't find those great flexible shoes in her size anymore. but from 12-18 months, we had several.

[decogrl]

When it comes to shoes, I never buy cheap stuff.  First Robees than Stride Rite.  Still do Stride Rite but am fortunate enough to live near an outlet.  You really should get her measured too.  

[Renogirl]

I was just thinking about another neat pair of shoes - we saw a baby in a store here locally - he was wearing Pipsqueak shoes - they have a little squeaker in the bottom so with each step - the shoe squeaks - I think they were originally designed for children with special needs to see if they were putting their feet down correctly - but how much fun for a little one to be able to make noise with each step!!!

I think there are many schools of thought out there on shoes and walking etc.  Abby is 13 months and while she cruises like crazy - she isn't  walking on her own yet - my mom told me to get high top tennies with ankle support and she would be walking in nothing flat - I've always kept her in the soft Robeez style shoes - I don't think shoes have anything to do with walking - each child walks when they are ready - and right now, Abby can get everywhere faster by crawling!!!

[2ndBaby]

Due to Jake's gross motor and PT, he HAS to wear shoes with good support and a true sole-no soft suede bottoms-and wears his shoes all day except for naptime.  I buy him Stride Rites...durable, good support, and light weight.

[rubyolivia]

I forgot to add in my other 2 posts (lol) that Jumping Jacks are also a great shoe! The sole is bendable and can flex with baby's feet, but not like a slipper.

[Trialanderror]

We went from socks only to Robeeze for a little while and then Stride Rite until about age 3. They are so perfect and allow little feet to develop muscles and strength, similar to walking barefoot. I have not seen Stride Rite for older kids but just found Dr. Scholl`s running shoes at WalMart, the bendable breathable kind. I will always pick shoes for him that allow the foot to roll from heel to toe. That is so important at any age.

The myth that infants need to be squeezed into rigid shoes seems to be either cultural or old-fashioned. I received some dirty looks when my son was only 4 months old, questioning why he was not wearing shoes to help him to learn walking. Duh...
Then again, when I grew up, most of us did wear rigid shoes and it has not done any damage either.

[Renogirl]

I remember my little brother and sister wearing the high top - hard leather white walkers from Stride Rite - and Mom got these great little things - the shoe laces tucked inside and the end screwed on so they could untie their shoes - and that little thingie had jingle bells on it - funny - neither my sister or brother choked to death - if you used those now - you would probably be arrested for child neglect

[alaysha]

Robeez all the way. Soft soled shoes are "supposed" to be better for children since it allows their feet to grow like they are supposed to and teaches them how to walk without trying to do it in space boots. Another thing I was thinking about while reading and I didn't see anyone post anything about it is... children that aren't walking aren't supposed to wear shoes. Socks for the none walkers because there is no NEED for them to wear shoes other then a parents fashion choice. Shoes can harbor the development and the correct growth of little feet.

[vsentz]

I remember growing up, looooooooved to be barefooted! I would walk even out in the sidewalk and street barefeet!... my mom had to wash my feet all the time to take a nap or even be inside because they were black! lol
It's funny: now I can't stand it! I have to wear at least thin slippers... I can't stand to step on a couple of water drops on the floor of the kitchen or bathroom ... nor I can stand stepping on cat food... or carrying around  pet hairs! lol... (...then why in the hell do you own pets Vanessa?!?!)

Anyway, thank you SOOOO much for all the advise! we have an outlet near (Gettysburg) so I might swing by over the weekend! =)

I agree: she wears slippers, but they are bulky for her and they come right off! I have to tuck them in her socks all the time... plus the floor is too cold for her to walk bare feet. A good advise someone gave me is buy those socks that come in packs at walmart... that are thick... and buy plastic paint (those kinds they use for crafts, some of them puff up) and put it on the bottom of the socks... instant slip free socks that keep little feet warm! =)

[kjbutcher]

My doc said that at home in the house no shoes and outside, the shoes should be soft as in you can bend them in half.   I have a boy so it may not be the same, but babies r us has wonderful shoes that bend in half and fit DS's FAT feet just perfect.  I dont think it is a particular brand name.  I have only seen them there.

[40smama]

Hey V!!!  I found more Cheerios in the oven today after I had already turned it on - made for such a lovely smell - that little stinker!!!

Our pedi told us the same thing that AnnieBrooke's did - that shoes weren't necessary until he was walking really well and was outside.  He said going barefoot increased balance and helped the baby grip the floor surface w/the toes or something like that.

My mil's going to kill me though.  Her 70 year old shoe salesman who sold her all of her childrens' shoes told her that Noah needed shoes right away and of course she can't wait to put shoes on the poor little guy.

[Renogirl]

get her into the Robeez - they are REALLY cute - nice and soft - more like a suede bottom sock - Abby had the worst time when she started pulling up only in socks - her widdle feet slid everywhere - they are soft enought that she can curl her toes and grip the floor easily with her feet - when Mom was here - she swore up and down that if Abby had those hightopped walkers - she would already be walking - lol - old school!!!!

[AnnieBrooke]

About the cost -- you can get great deals on eBay on high-quality toddler shoes like Stride Rite.  Kids grow out of them so fast that often the mom who is selling them will comment that they were worn one time or not at all, or she had them as a gift and forgot about them and then the child was in a larger size.  Sometimes you can get a pair for like, 6 or 7 dollars and then you pay for shipping, but it's still much better than the $40 - $50 that Stride Rites cost in the shop.  

[Annice1234]

We love stride rite..we have a stride rite outlet. :)