OT: The Best Walking Shoes

[Amirah95]

Who makes or where do I get the best walking shoes for my baby? My baby turned seven months old on the 7th and she's already in the walker moving forward and backwards. I notice her feet is slightly slanted and not flat on the floor fully. I think it's time for walking shoes. There is a 12 year difference between my DDs so I have been out of the loop for a long time.

My oldest had those old fashioned white, hard shoes with the lace bells...I can't find those out in the stores anymore. I went looking this past Monday. I've been to Stride Rite too, but the shoes don't look too hot as far as support...I think. The kids that work there couldn't really answer my questions.

Enough of my ramblings. Help!

 

[oldbay]

I liked the Robeeze shoes for my DD when she began walking. They are not for the pavement outdoors but great around the house and to wear out in the stroller and light walking out. They have a soft leather base, like a slipper and are soft on top. They slip on but do stay on well since they have elastic around the top opening. It is more like barefoot. I always understood that barefoot is the best way to learn to walk.

Good luck finding a shoe you like!

 

[frtchr]

I love Robeez for the crawling/indoor walking stage. I found some really great shoes with great support at Stride Rite when my DD started walking well enough to be outside. Right now, the best fitting shoes I found are from JCPenney.

 

[lilybrooke14]

I used Pedipeds when DD was just starting out, and switched to See Kai Run now that she's running around outside.

 

[sohappy]

We loved Robeez too. We used them for a loooonnngg time. After that, we went to stride rite and new balance (for tennis shoes).

 

[holden]

Our FD sees an occupational therapist for some foot issues (she was born with clubfoot - her foot is straight now but she's a bit behind with walking). She said the best thing for babies is to be barefoot whenever possible. They use their toes to help them balance and shoes inhibit that. So our FD is barefoot indoors and a little bit outside (depending on where she is).

 

[3goofyboys]

I agree with PP on keeping kiddos barefoot for as long as possible, but when you're ready for shoes we've had great luck with Preschoolians. You can get them brand new on Ebay for about half the price as the Preschoolians web site, they are super flexible, and part of the sole of the shoe is clear, so you can see for certain that the shoes are fitting properly. My older DS had several pairs and when my younger DS is ready for shoes, it's what we'll put him in.

 

[mamaLori05]

I agree with babies being barefoot. However I do put shoes on my ds when we are out and about (dd too when she was a baby). They are just tooo cute not to!! I have used Nike, Adidas, Keen, striderite, gymboree, gap, target, pedipeds, roobeez shoes and probably others that I can't think of right now. (what can I say, my kids have a lot of shoes, they are just sooo darn cute!) Anyway, my point is that I have never seen a real difference between any of them as far as how they make the kids walk....even the ones from Target. My kids have never complained about any of them being uncomfy, never have had blisters from them, nor have they had any foot problems. My advice is that if you would like your little one to have a pair of shoes, find a pair you think is cute, try them on, and if he's not trying to pull them off, then they are probably fine. Even better yet, if he tries to pull them off, but can't.....buy those shoes!!!!! I wouldn't worry too much about it. I think the whole "buy a first walking shoe with the right support" is just a myth...or made up by the shoe companies trying to get you to buy their shoes.