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Take Shoes Off Your Infant

pfallerj by pfallerj Proud Parent(January 2007) (rank 12th)
Today's first time parenting tip - Take shoes off your baby while they are learning to walk.

Baby shoes could possibly be everyone's favorite part of a baby's outfit. Everyone oohs and ahhs over how small they are, how feet could possibly be so tiny, etc. etc.

But
putting shoes on your baby while they're learning to walk can make it harder for them to get the hang of taking steps.

Usually, shoes have rubber soles that have no slip or give. That means that an unstable baby who may be shuffling his feet or sliding them around won't have that necessary give he needs to stay up. And that means he's going to bite the dust.

Shoes can also be big and clunky on your baby's feet, making it easier for them to trip themselves up.

So if your infant is walking around inside or doesn't need to be wearing shoes for appearances, make sure you take them off as often as possible. An alternative would be to opt for shoes with a leather sole, so they've got a little slip to them and won't trip up your baby.

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ADVICE RATING
 (Highly recommend) (Highly recommend) (Highly recommend) (Highly recommend) (Highly recommend) 4.76 (Highly recommend) from 14 votes
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wiangube
December 2007 | wiangube
Re: Take Shoes Off Your Infant
Hi pfallerj, I'm not sure if I got it: am I supposed to let my child learn to walk without any safety? I mean, I recently bought some personalized baby shoes from here: www.personalized-baby-shoes.com because one of my friends told me they could protect him from dangers, and now I'm reading they should not wear shoes when talking their first steps?


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mumof1girl
April 2007 | mumof1girl
leather shoes

 

I tried to go for the leather shoes also for my daughter when she was younger so it was softer on her foot



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Tadexpress
5.00 (Excellent) | January 2007 | Tadexpress
Shoes...

The bain of my existance so when the kids were littlies I just didnt bother much against  the "advice" given by those around me 24 odd years ago, years later when I found out that it was much better for babies to walk without shoes and I flashed my printed info to all an sundry who had advised (that my children would grow up to have fat flat feet....which they dont and neither are mine ) I was told it was just a new faze and that people would realise that shoes were necessary, I kept up if we were meant to wear them we'd be born with them and encourages other to let their children run free where possible, I know we have to be careful these days but its still my stand so I am pleased that you have given this advice on Minti!



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OzBinky
5.00 (Excellent) | January 2007 | OzBinky
This is so true...

Shoes can be difficult to walk in for use let alone what it would be like for a baby who is only just learning.......

Great advice....

Cheers Lavinia



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PHOENIX
5.00 (Excellent) | January 2007 | PHOENIX
protect those little feet

Bloody computers lets try that agains

I was given shoes when I had my first. Never used them. Not only for the above reasons but bubs little feet are still cartlidge and wearing shoes can cause damage to their forming feet.  I was told by an Occupational therapist that if you really must have shoes leave it until they've been walking for 8 weeks confidently, but if they aren't necessary don't put them on (they don't need shoes if they're in a pram etc).



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emmysmum
5.00 (Excellent) | January 2007 | emmysmum
Great
This advice worked for me! Well done on such a great article. Keep up the good work!


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