Soft soled shoes or Robeez?

The lady at Stride Rite (they sell robeez shoes also) told me today that Robeez shouldn't be used for early walkers (she called them a "slipper")? I always thought they are perfect for early walkers so they can "feel" the floor. Right now, my babies are barefoot all the time, and are kinda getting ready to take first steps soon and with fall/winter approaching, I'm wondering what is best to invest in...keeping in mind, they are not walking yet (and may not do so well enough to walk outside for for a few months). What is best in the house? A soft soled shoe or Robeez (or Robeez knock offs)?

 

Barefoot is best when they're just starting to learn to walk because they need to be able to 'feel' the ground and use those muscles in their feet. This is how they learn to walk. If you really need to have shoes on them when they do start walking robeez would be best with the soft sole on the bottom. When they are full blown walking you want to get them something with a grippy, flexible sole on the bottom. Good luck!

 

Both my girls pedi and the developmental specialist told me that it is best for them to start walking in soft soled shoes. My girls wore Pediped's until they were around 18 months old. Once they had mastered walking fairly well, we moved on to hard soled shoes.

I wonder why she told you that when they sell soft soled shoes at stride rite? Regardless, I highly doubt that she is an expert.

 

I would say barefoot in the house and soft soled out in public. Robeez would be fine on carpet but I would think they would slip a little on some floors. When mine started pulling themselves up, their feet would slip on the tile/wood floor. Stride Rite actually has early walker shoes that are very flexible and mine did very well with them.