Just Turned 1 and Won't Wear Walking Shoes

As the mother of 3 grown children, I recommend no shoes or very soft shoes until she has to walk outside. We had supportive high tops pushed on us for the proper alignment of the feet. Feet develop more normally when they are used normally. Letting the muscles and ligaments (and bones) respond to the stresses of walking, causes them to become stronger and more flexible. A hard high top shoe, doesn't allow for full use of the foot. Listen to your little one. She's telling you something! The exception to this is when there is a diagnosed orthopedic problem that requires the foot being realigned with bracing, casting or corrective shoes.
Enjoy your baby,
J.

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Hi S.,

My son flat out refused to wear shoes as a baby. He hated them. I'm a huge advocate of letting them go barefoot. Their little feet can feel the floor and their toes help them grip.
My son was pigeon toed and he did grow out of it.
P. B.

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How nice of your sister-in-law to buy your daughter a pair of shoes without having the child with her. It is possible that the shoes don't fit either in length or width. I would take your daughter, and the shoes, to a Stride Rite near you and get her properly sized. At the same time, I wouldn't worry about the shoe thing. She is just starting to walk and explore her world. There's really no need for shoes unless you're going out somewhere in public and she's going to be walking.

Try a pair of softer soled sneakers or sandals for the summer. As for the pigeon toe, let her get the hang of walking first and then see where it goes. I'm sure you will be having a 15 mos or 18 mos check up. At that time she will have been walking for a while and the doctor and evaluate whether or not the pigeon toe is affecting her walking and if so, what you can do about it.

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Hi S.,
As a mom of 6, soon to be 7, I've realized that everyone has a different opinion about everything to do with kids! For what it's worth, here's what I've experienced with this issue. I never put shoes on any of my kids except on special dress-up occasions, until they were walking completely independently. I found they were able to balance much better without them. When the weather was cold, I'd put booties or soft-soled shoes on for warmth, but otherwise I figured that it wasn't really a big deal if they went barefoot. Once they were really good walkers, I got them sneakers and would force the issue only when we were going out in public. I'm not a believer of stiff walking shoes, and wouldn't blame any baby for resisting them. I never used the Stride Rites, so I can't give any input about them. But several of my kids fought wearing shoes, and they all wear them now without too much of a fuss. As long as you are firm in your expectations of when your daughter has to wear the shoes, she will eventually get used to the idea. The key is consistently letting her know when she's expected to wear them, and when she doesn't have to. Also, I would say try a different pair -- maybe she just doesn't like those particular ones. As far as the pigeon toes, my oldest is slightly pigeon-toed, and the Dr. actually had us do exercises with him right after birth, which had no effect. He's still pigeon--toed, but it hasn't affected him negatively. He's very athletic and coordinated, and always has been. I would just check with the pediatrician on this, or even a specialist, if that would set your mind at ease, because they can let you know if they think it will be an issue or not. Good luck.

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I too recommend using the robeez (or toys r us has an equivalent that costs $10 vs $30 for Robeez). I started my daughter in New Balance sneakers (I have never tried Stride Rite so I cant comment on those). Some sneakers are really heavy for kids and I cant imagine how uncomfortable they can be. I would pick something very light weight. I have a friend whose son is pigeon toed and he wears reebok sneakers. (we recently became friends so I am not sure how they got to those sneakers).

I waited until my daughter was completely walking before I put her in real sneakers.
Also, my daughter is extremely opinionated (yes at 14 months) - if she doesnt like a pair of shoes or a shirt, etc, she will throw a fit until I take it off and let her pick out something else (its kinda funny when it happens).

Good Luck and give her time.

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Hey S.!
If Lily isn't digging her new shoes - I would just move on and put these new walking shoes away for now. Especially if she cries the whole time they are on her feet. Your sister in law will just have to understand your child is different then hers and yours may just not like "walking shoes". You always hear mixed things about what type of shoe babies should wear. Stride Rite is good about measuring your childs foot and fitting them accordingly- narrow or wide even. The ones she got as a gift just may squish her feet or not feel right to her- you could bring her there yourself and get her sized. But if Lily is all about the soft shoe- go for it. My Lily LOVED to be barefoot. I only put her in shoes when we went out in public. Good luck!

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hi :o) my son is also 6 weeks preemie :o)

dont pressure on have your daughter wear walking shoes. Robeez style shoes works wonders with babies/toddlers. my on wears it all the way until before 20 mos old. he wore Keen sandal sneaker during 17-20 mos over the summer when we went for hiking, out walking, n etc.
he still wears robeez bootiez at night time if we go out. he is 26 mos old now. there is other cute soft sole shoes name Pediped. it is also stylish like a shoes but soft sole.
my son never own any shoes form stride rite.

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Don't put them on her. They aren't good for her feet. Wait a few months. My first wore Robeez until he was almost 2.5.

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I swear by the Robeez - my almost 11 month old loves them! I can even put him down for a nap with them on. My doc said babies learn to walk easier with soft-soled shoes, or barefeet so their toes can grip the surface. Robbez come in many different varieties - some even look dressy!

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soft star is supposed to be a great first shoe. they sell sandals, moccasins. boots and different styles of closed-toe shoes. they have them online: softstarshoes.com you can even "create your own" maybe you can come up with something she loves.
gucio is another brand that makes excellent shoes for kids that need more support. they are a little pricey about 55 dollars but they really last forever. they were designed by a frustrated parent who couldnt find good enough shoes for his kids. you can look at all the colors at imstillme.com there are half a dozen bright fun colors all with the trademark bright yellow sole and laces. i have met lots of parents of kids that LOVE them.
hatched in jamaica plain (hatchedboston.com) sells both soft star and gucios and will even order your size/color if they dont have them in stock (its nice not to have to pay shipping as you would buying them online.)
i once read that some kids love to have animal shoes, like those rainboots with frog, duck, ladybug etc. faces. those are probably very easy to find too. i'm not sure if you want to have her in rainboots all the time but if nothing else works it might be worth it for a while, especially if you need to go outside!
about the pigeon toes, most kids grow out of it. for now the best thing you can do is just provide them with the best shoes for their foot development.

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Hi -
I had the same problem with my 16 month old. His feet are still a bit crooked, and I couldn't get a pair of shoes on him without a fight. Then his grandmother got him a pair of Wee Squeaks, and he loves them. They have little squeakers in the heels so everytime he walks they go squeak squeak squeak. Gets annoying after awhile, but he thinks it's fun and he doesn't fight when I put them on. The company has a website www.weesqueak.com you can check out. Good luck!

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my daughter also did not like the walking sneakers at first, but I put them on and left them on. She got used to them and now does not have a problem. If she knows that she can cry and they will come off then she is never going to get used to the sneakers.

My daughter also loves to play with shoes, so maybe if you leave them out where she can play with them she will grow to like them and want to wear them.

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Shoes should NEVER be purchased for a child without the child trying them on - unless they're a kind where fit isn't an issue...sandals, zorees, slippers. Please don't force them on her feet, they really could be hurting her - Thank the SIL, and wait until your babe can be fitted at a store to know exactly what's going on.

Good Luck!