When do you start using shoes?

At 8 months, I haven't bought shoes for the boys yet. I figured they didn't need them until they started walking. But the other day, a friend of mine asked me if I had shoes with that critical "raised eyebrow". Am I totally out of touch? Are they supposed to be in shoes even when you just carry them around? When did you start putting shoes on your babies? Does it help them start walking earlier or better? And do they wear them indoors or just outdoors?

 

Barefoot is best when they are learning how to walk....some of the newer types of soft-soled shoes, like Robeez, would be a good choice if you are outside, and their little feet need some protection.

 

I don't use shoes for kids when they are first walking as long as they are home. If we are going out, I had first walking shoes for them. But when they are home, I don't make any of the kids where shoes if they don't want to.

 

We are 10 months and just bought our 1st pair of shoes. Gabe has started walking, but the only reason I got shoes is because this past weekend we were playing outside - Anthony was pushing Gabe in one of those little push car things and Gabe ended up taking the skin right off the tops of his feet!! OUCH! poor little guy. I decided they needed shoes for playing outside. But we usually go out barefoot. heck, I dont wear shoes (just sandals) so why should they?!

 

quote:
Originally posted by JDMummy:
I don't use shoes for kids when they are first walking as long as they are home. If we are going out, I had first walking shoes for them. But when they are home, I don't make any of the kids where shoes if they don't want to.

That's exactly what I do.

 

I bought them their first pair at 13 months because the weather was changing and I didn't want them walking outside with bare feet in the cold. DH's grandmother asked me every single time she called from 7 months on if the boys had shoes yet because it really, really bothered her. I just didn't see the point. Now that they are running around the yard more, they always wear them outdoors (we have a lot of rocks, acorns, etc) and if we go somewhere. Around home, we all go barefoot or wear socks.

Their arches look great, BTW... and they started walking at 10 months.

 

I just bought size 6 Thomas the Train velcro shoes for the babies yesterday. With the nice weather we had yesterday I wanted something on their feet while we were out. So almost 11.5 months.

 

We have shoes that have all been given to me. Right now they wear Robeez and they are a great help at keeping their socks on. We don't really put them on for any other reason.

 

I like for them to wear socks to keep their feet warm and we started putting shoes on their feet as soon as they were able to pull their socks off. But we only have the robezes/bobux or the target knock offs. I need to look for a sandal version for the warmer months.