What to Do About Shoes for a 11 Month Old

I have heard that hard soled shoes for children who don't walk yet can be bad for their feet. If she walks at all then great. If not then soft soled shoes or slippers will work well. Socks should be enough in Arizona from what I have heard.

Don't put her in hard soled shoes yet. Try Robeez (robeez.com) or the like. They really just need something to keep their feet warm---that they can't remove easily themselves. We love robbez!
P.

I was always told if they're not walking, they don't need shoes. I put my kids in socks & slipper type shoes to keep their feet warm. I had my daughter in shoes, while we were out & about, but at home took them off. There isn't anything wrong with her feet or walking. I would say everything in moderation. But you can buy the knock-off Robeez at Target (maybe Walmart too). They're cute AND the kids can't pull them off.

Another vote for Robeez! They are great in so many ways.

Hi D.,
I researched this when my daughter was the same age. Essentially, when children are learning to walk, they need to be barefoot, in socks or in those soft, leather shoes (I think they are called Robeez?). The bones in the foot are still soft and need to adjust on their own, without shoes to shape them. I opted for socks and the leather shoes. It also helps them learn how to balance correctly.

I worked for a podiatrist and she tolded us that when children are learning to walk it is best for them to be bare foot. She said when they are outside to put something on their feet to protect them from hot/cold. She also said not to hand shoes down to other children, because shoes, of any size/material, will mold to the foot. And you don't want your childs foot trying to mold to someone elses print.

I am not going to tell you either way. I like to put shoes on my kids when they were that age and i have on that age. Sometimes I put them on and sometimes I don't. You are the mother and it's your choice in the end on whats best for your child. I am sure what ever choice you make will be the best one.
K.

Try looking for Robeez on ebay. You can usually find a used pair for a lot cheaper versus paying full price for a brand new pair. At this age they grow out of them before they wear them out. Good Luck!

Get some Robeez. They allow the child to still feel the floor. My 2 yrs old still wears them, and did not wear regular shoes until he was 18 months.He still wears the boots. Check out Robeez.com They have shoes and boots.
Good Luck

I am a advocate for the soft leather shoes when they are first walking. BUT Robeez are very expensive. There are similar types of shoes everywhere now. But my 2 year old wasn't in shoes alot when she was very young and I also bought the robeez on ebay. She hates shoes now and would be barefoot 24/7 if she could so.....EBAY, or nock offs, and keep shoes on as soon as possible. But like always its up to you and whatever is best for you and your daughter.

i don't know if they have them in the usa but in australia you can get shoes that are for pre and early walkers that have a completely soft leather sole. this provides protection and wormth but doesn't stop the foots natural griping action. i did find this website that had some info on it hope it helps. http://www.darlingshoes.com/articles.asp?ID=123
cheers K.

Hello! My daugher has been in slippers like Bobux/Robeez since she started to walk also at around 11 months. We started with some from the Disney store, but they fall out small. Now we have a pair of Bobux Shoes and a pair of the leather slippers from Target (Bobux wannabees :) They have room enough even with socks in them and they protect her soles. They keep her warm without impeding her growing sense of balance or learning how to work her toes. In shoes with a more solid sole, they will have a harder time learning the new balance and loose touch with their toes. We found the Bobux shoes at our BestFed store. Those from Target fall out huge. Our daughter needed a size 5 for Bobux and is good with the 6-12 months size from Target.
Hope this helps! Good luck!

Hi D.-
My advice is socks or barefeet at home and shoes when you go out. If you are concerned about cold feet at home try those Robeez or Bobux shoes, they are light, soft, washable leather shoes. There is now a Robeez outlet at the mall in Castle Rock, if you are in CO. Also, Old Navy makes great socks with a little bit of non-skid stuff on the bottoms. In general, it is my opinion that shoes are very important and should not be skimped on. Stride Rite makes shoes for all levels of walkers and that is what I wore and it is what my little guy now wears. When you compare Stride Rites and shoes from Target/Walmart they difference is huge.
Good luck, it's hard work being a mom!

My son refused to wear shoes, he would cry. So I bought him a few pairs of slippers and that worked great to transition him to shoes.

I definteley think you should put shoes on her. This was right about the time that we put them on my son. He was walking at 10 months, but I heard conflicting info as well, so I waited, for another month. But I realized that since we were going out and about and wanted to be able to walk around, he needed to have shoes on. At first he had a tough time walking around and getting used to them, but now he does just fine. But while we are at home, he doesnt wear his shoes, he loves to walk around barefoot. I don't think that it is going to cause any sort of problem with having the shoes on her feet.

Im not really sure why you cant put shoes on your daughter. The only thing I can think of is that children are getting used to their feet and walkin at this point. At that age my daughter did not like shoes with hard soles. I might suggest Avoiding shoes with tough soles. There are infant shoes available with a flexible soles, so that they can feel there feet and grasp the floor with more ease. I definitely think it is important to have your child in shoes this time of year. I never really found it to be a problem. I would just stress finding a shoe they can really move in.

Good luck,
A.

There are some really great alternatives to the heavy, stiff shoes that are typically made for babies asnd young children. Both of my children have worn Robeez with great success. They are a soft, leather-soled shoe with a little elastic at the ankle to keep children from pulling them off. They have very cute designs and their winter boots are adorable. My daughter always gets comments about her boots. There is also Bobux and Platypaws if you want to shop around. They all have websites and I know of quite a few stores that sell Robeez. Good Luck!

Get some of those "Robeez" shoes. They don't fall off and they are cute too! I just ordered a couple pair for my 8 month old daughter off of their website: www.robeez.com.

If she's walking than yes definetly, but if not I would just get some cute slippers or something for the time being to keep her feet warm. Like anthing else related to children's issues you will continuously get conflicting advice so if you are concerned about it I would talk to your doctor. My daughter walked at 10 months and the doctor told me to put her in shoes right away because she walked on her tip toes, so it could be a case by case determination as well.

Dear D.,

Is your daughter walking yet? I did a lot of research on this issue when my son was first learning to walk (9months). The majority of the literature said that barefoot is the best, as it allows the child to be able to grip and feel the floor they are walking on. We put my son in Robeez (soft soled shoes) and they are absolutely wonderful. I think it really helped him walk faster as they moved with his feet and were not prohibitive and clunky. He wore them until he was almost 2 years old (they only make them up to size 24 months). You can buy them at Stride Rite, or there are several web sites that sell them as well (Robeez site and Baby Center to name a couple).

Good luck!
T.

Good Morning!
I actually put shoes on my son from the time he was born, by his 1st bday he had like 7pairs! He walked at about 8 1/2mos, his dr. said it was because I insisted that he wear shoes, it helped his ankles get stronger and gave him balance. He loves shoes now even at 4, always wants new ones! I had the same "dont do it" from tons of people but I made my own decisions and it turned out right. I suggest buying her a few pair!.

Hi! When my daughter was that age all of the other parents with babies that age were buying them the more expensive (Robeez, Bobux) leather slippers to keep the babies' feet warm. I bought a cheap pair of leather (maybe pleather?) ones from target and they worked great and lasted clear up until she outgrew them. As far as other shoes, most people have told me to avaid them until they are fairly established walkers.

The real answer....squeaky shoes! These are soft, leather shoes that squeak with every step. Kids love them and it encourages walking. There is a woman in Broomfield who sells them www.angelcovers.org or you can do an internet search for "squeaky shoes." I discovered them with my second child and it was the best discovery ever. Any child i know turning one gets a pair of squeaky shoes for his/her birthday!! Let me know if you have any questions. C. ____@____.com.

I used a great leather shoe for my kids when they were first learning to walk - my friend suggested them after her daughter used them. They are soft pliable leather moccassin-like, with cute designs. It's on an ebay store called shoeszoo which has 100% feedback and a guarantee. With socks, it will keep her feet snugly and warm this winter: http://myworld.ebay.com/shoeszoo/

Good luck!

I saw some slipper shoes at target. I got a pair for my daughter because they are cheap. She would crawl and scuff up her shoes so I thought the slippers would be better money wise.

I was told by my child's doctor that shoes, if they fit properly, are okay for my infant to wear especially if he is starting to walk. If it it cold out then I was told that shoes were even more important. I am the mom of 2 kids ages 3 and 6 and they have worn shoes since they were very young and I haven't had any problems.

The main reason for shoes is if they are walking where there feet need protection. The only reason I suggest shoes is so she can get use to them. Like let her wear them short periods of time. My kids both walked early at 9 1/2 mos and 10mos but with my son he had shoes and periodically wore them and with my daughter she had started walking before we bought her shoes and she HATED them! She would just sit and cry holding her feet! I was like the poor thing ! I just had her wear thewm for longer and longer periods of time but it took a week for her to get use to them to the point where she would walk in them. Granted its not a long time but it broke my heart seeing her so upset.

It seemed easier for my daughter to be barefoot when she was learning how to walk. Now that she is walking like a pro I have her in regular shoes and she is doing great with it. Before she was walking she would take off any shoes I tried to put on her!

I just bought shoes for my near 1 year old (oct 28th) and he's not wanting to walk in them, so I may buy a pair of Robeez, they're like slippers made of leather. there are many on ebay if you can't find them at a nearby store. they're a great 1st shoe

Robeez / ShooShoos / Pediped ... any soft-soled shoe will do.

Barefeet is best, but if you want to keep their toesies warm and protected for winter, Robeez type shoes are great. (Note though, Robeez type shoes are NOT designed for outdoor use. Light occasional outdoor use is ok, but anything more and it'll just end up damaging the shoes and it doesn't offer the support needed for outdoor wear.)

I love the Robeez type shoes because they actually stay on their feet. My daughter (who has to yank everything off her feet) doesn't even think to yank her "Fauxbeez" off. I didn't have the heart to spend $25 on a pair of shoes she'll only wear for a couple of months so I got the Target knockoffs and they work just fine. The Disney Store has them too, in fact, they're on clearance right now, but note the Disney Store brand runs small so definitely try them on first.

Babies that are learning to walk and newly walking should not wear Try robbez.com and bobux.com. It will be worth your time!

A.

My son has been in shoes forever. I heard the longer you wait, the harder it will for you child to walk in them. There is nothing wrong with my son as far as walking or running goes he does just fine. His feet are funny shaped, and it is so much fun buying shoes for him, just like it is when you get a new pair. I would say put your child in them, before it is too late and she can't walk in them.

When our daughter was that age, we put her in those leather Robeez slipper-like shoes with socks. They protect their feet without causing harm to them and also help them learn to walk. They were perfect!

Hello, My name is K., and my son is 12 mo. I started putting him in shoes when he was about 10 mo. when but only when we go out to places but when im at home with him he's just in socks. They learn to walk better without shoes, first. My son's first shoes were really light weight sandles and they didnt get in his way at all. But then we got him some tennis shoes and he kept falling and he didn't want to walk as much. but now he's walking really well and I put him in shoes more.

I have read everyone's post and everyone seems to like the Robeez shoes. I did not like these shoes because first, the look and second, the elastic around the opening of the shoe. It seems really tight. Our 11 month old wears Pediped here is a link for them (http://www.pediped.com/home/originals.aspx).
You can also order from Zappos(www.zappos.com) and they have free shipping both ways so, if you are not happy with them you can return them.
I love them and they are good for their little feet.