PLEASE HELP! I need advice on shoes good for outdoors for a beginning walker (toddler) Please see details?

Question

My daughter just turned one. She is now walking fairly well (walks around the room mostly avoiding obstacles but still tripping and falling occasionally). She walks just fine barefoot or wearing Robeez (the soft soled shoes that look like ballerina slippers that cinch at the ankle). but every "regular" shoe I've put her in she stumbles around terribly falling over and over. She is starting daycare in August, so I need to find her a shoe because they have daily outdoor playtime. Any help from someone with experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for all the great advise so far. I'm pleased to announce my daughter will not be going to daycare, as we have found a great person to provide in home care for her. She will still need shoes though :)

Answer 1

STRIDE RITE WALKING SHOES. THEY ARE THE WHITE SHOES THAT GO TO ABOUT YOUR CHILDS ANKLES. THEY GIVE GREAT ANKLE SUPPORT TO HELP YOUR LITTLE ONE.
IF YOU GO INTO THE STORE, TELL THEM THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT. THEY WILL TRY TO SELL YOU THE PRE WALKING SHOES BUT THEY ARE NOT WORTH YOUR MONEY.
THEY WILL ALSO SIZE YOUR CHILD UP A SIZE. MAKE SURE YOU TRY THE SHOES ON IN THE STORE AND HAVE YOUR DAUGHTER WALK AROUND HOLDING ONTO SOMETHING TO MAKE SURE THEY AREN'T TOO BIG. A FRIEND OF MINE AND MYSELF BOTH HAD OUR CHILDREN SIZED WAY TOO BIG AND THE KIDS HAD TROUBLE WALKING IN THEM.

Answer 2

One year olds are bound to stumble around wearing shoes for the first time. I would get her a solid pair of shoes with regular soles (not soft ones).

She will learn to walk with practice

Answer 3

Try taking her to a shoe store (Stride Rite, for example) and having her fitted for her shoes by someone professional. It could be that the shoes you're putting on her are too large or too wide.

Also, once you find the right shoes, make her wear them in the house to get used to them.

Answer 4

Stride-rite are ok but very $$$$$$$

We use Robeez Shoes....no arch and super soft leather.

Peds docs rec arch shoes NOT necessary until around 4.

Btw----Robeez are mocassins.

Answer 5

Go to a stride rite store or a children's speciality boutique. They will take the time to measure her foot and have her try different shoes. But rest assured that she will fall, but will not be damaged for it.

Answer 6

Shoes with a hard sole are the best for new walkers.

Answer 7

Shoes are so bad for small feet. Maybe something like moccasins with no hard sole.

Answer 8

my daughter is the same way and the striderite are the best ones i've found...i tried walmart but she couldnt even stand up in them because the soles are so hard...but my daughter is a redneck...she would rather be barefoot!

Answer 9

Try at the Stride Rite store. I had good luck there with my children when they started walking.

Answer 10

I agree with the Stride Rite. They are more expensive but worth it for the developement of your child's feet.