does my 1 year old need shoes to learn how to walk?

bbzangel70j

i keep feeling like shoes would help him get a better grip, but when i put them on him he kind of drags his feet like hes trying to figure out why his feet feel heavy.

he walks holding on to us, and sometimes we can even get him to let go and hold only one finger. he cruises like a champ. but most of this is with socks on, and we have hard wood floors so its slippery.

we bought the skidders but honestly- they look wide and flip in the front, like clown shoes, and he walks worse in them.

he has chunky feet and he is growing at the speed of light. i cant keep up with him. is it worth it to buy him good walking shoes now? the shoes i have for him now are for show and are definitely not going to help him get a feel for his feet on the floor (converse, timberlands, chunky shoes that dont bend).

also, what should i get him for his first walking shoes?

LaKi

Different people will tell you different things, but I'm definitely of the mindset that they need to learn to walk barefoot.  I didn't buy my kids anything sturdier than fake Robeez until they were walking almost 100% of the time.

alicianrj

When Keegan was learning to walk we just let him walk barefoot or with socks with grips. Our dr told us that this is how they really should learn to walk and to not wear shoes. I did buy him a pair of Stride Rite early walker shoes for when we were outside or out of the house.

melbride2005

LaKi:

Different people will tell you different things, but I'm definitely of the mindset that they need to learn to walk barefoot.  I didn't buy my kids anything sturdier than fake Robeez until they were walking almost 100% of the time.

I agree with this.

Our ped told us shoes at that age are basically for protection, and not to go out and spend $75+ on them because she "needs them" for walking.

melbride2005

LaKi:

Different people will tell you different things, but I'm definitely of the mindset that they need to learn to walk barefoot.  I didn't buy my kids anything sturdier than fake Robeez until they were walking almost 100% of the time.

I agree with this.

Our ped told us shoes at that age are basically for protection, and not to go out and spend $75+ on them because she "needs them" for walking.

Mrs.P0405

I agree with the other posters.  My daughter did better without shoes. Once she was really walking, I realized that I needed to buy her shoes. We went out somewhere and she wanted to walk outside and I thought oops! Before that, we were always inside and it was fine barefoot. When she got the shoes, it took her a day or two to get used to them. I got a pair of Pedipeds which fit her feet well, the others were too tight!

Vero&Al

LaKi:

Different people will tell you different things, but I'm definitely of the mindset that they need to learn to walk barefoot.  I didn't buy my kids anything sturdier than fake Robeez until they were walking almost 100% of the time.

I agree.   

Kris2322

My son was born in August so it was warmer when he was really cruising and I left him barefoot all the time.  That's how he started walking at 11 months - barefoot.  Once he was walking more than a few steps at at time I had him fitted and got him Stride Rite shoes.

penguingrrl

I didn't buy hard soled shoes for my kids until they were ready to walk outside and needed shoes to protect their feet. I was told learning to walk barefoot is the best way and not to use hard-soled shoes unless necessary. We don't wear shoes inside the house, so the kids don't either (not a hard and fast rule for me, I just don't find shoes as comfortable as being barefoot).

vedahanks

Podiatrists will tell you bare feet is best when learning to walk.

ceetee

no. I am a physical therapist. its actually best to be barefoot as much as possible when learning to walk. shoes are just to protect against the elements at that age.

FrancoiseFilly

Leo began to walk at 11.5 months and we only recently put him in stride rite shoes because they are going outside at school. I had him in Pediped shoes until I realized they were getting all disgusting because he was in the grass and sort of muddy ground. 

I left Max barefoot for a long time because he is a June baby. Leo can't really go barefoot in February at school etc lol (he pulls off his socks).  

turtle520

W learned to walk in the house. I bought soft sole shoes for him to wear when we were out but for the most part, he learned to walk in the middle of summer so he barely wore shoes ever.

BeachBaby07

LaKi:

Different people will tell you different things, but I'm definitely of the mindset that they need to learn to walk barefoot.  I didn't buy my kids anything sturdier than fake Robeez until they were walking almost 100% of the time.

 I agree and this is what I did. Also if the shoe isnt fitted properly for their feet it can make it even harder to learn to balance and walk 

bbzangel70j

ok, thank you everyone. barefoot it is!

bosha711

No, he doesn't need them to learn to walk. Get him Robeez or something that will conform to his foot & are very lightweight. Then take him to StrideRite where they'll measure his foot. Their shoes come in wide sizes & are designed in stages - pre walker, early walker & off & running. hth!

blairsgirl

melbride2005:

LaKi:

Different people will tell you different things, but I'm definitely of the mindset that they need to learn to walk barefoot.  I didn't buy my kids anything sturdier than fake Robeez until they were walking almost 100% of the time.

I agree with this.

Our ped told us shoes at that age are basically for protection, and not to go out and spend $75+ on them because she "needs them" for walking.

 

Our pedi said the same thing. 

dmendel

Our doctor said kids don't really need shoes unless they are outside walking.  It's best to learn barefoot.

wed2506

Because of the colder weather bare feet is not an option...MH freaks if kids feet are cold ::insert eye roll:::  it was summer when Bella learned so we did bare feet. I am doing just pedipeds on A now.