How do I get my son to wear shoes?

Question

I just got my son his first pair of shoes and he screams and cries everytime I attempt to put them on him....if I can EVEN get them on him. He usually curls his toes so it's impossible to put them on. He's a little over 9 months old and has been walking for about three weeks. Should I just bag the idea of shoes for now?
Any tricks of the trade or suggestions you are willing to share will be most helpful.
Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Maybe you need like an interim shoe which he can wear to get used to shoes before moving to regular shoes. www.robeez.com is a great site for shoes that are soft, they have leather on the bottom and they say they can wear them anywhere, and they can't kick them off.
Especially with winter coming on and most of his walking will be inside (if you live in a cold climate) you could give them a try. They are super cute too.

Answer 2

I say leave the shoes for only going outdoors and let him go barefoot around the house. I don't really know of many children that like shoes at this age. Have you tried Robeez? They are so soft and slip right on. My daughter lived in Robeez for her first 3 years. They say barefoot is best and then if you just have to go outside try Robeez. I guarantee you will not want to go back to anything else. They have a website- robeez.com or also pedoodles.com has soft shoes too. Ebay sells them too. They also have off brands like at Target in the baby section.

Answer 3

First make sure that the shoes are wide enough for your baby's feet. My DD used to complain too and I realized that although the length was long enough she had fat feet. I was literally squeezing her feet into shoes!

After that incident, I turned to soft-soled shoes and never looked back. All the brands that I have tried and liked are:

www.pedoodles.com (love these! Pull-on style until about 12 months. Then you can get flexible rubber soles and shoes that velcro on when baby is really walking and wanting to walk outside.)

www.shooshoos.com (very cute styles, they are currently re doing the US market, but they should be availble soon. Pull-on styles)

www.pedipeds.com (super cute shoes! These look more like kid friendly versions of adult styles if you are not into little pictures on shoes. Most styles have a velcro closure.)

www.wiggees.com (I only had one pair of these, so I don't have a lot of experience with them. Pull on style for younger styles up to about 12 or 18 months. Can get a flexible rubber style for older kids, but still pull-on style.)

Shoes I haven't tried, but still seem reputable.

www.robeez.com
www.seekairun.com

Lots more if you google "soft soled shoes."

If soft-soled shoes are not your thing, I wouldn't press the shoe issue. We went through a period of just lots of socks. There is plenty of time for your child to wear shoes.

For my DD now at 17 months she will go get her shoes and ask to put them on. We love soft soled shoes! (Can you tell?) ;)

Answer 4

If he just learned to walk then he doesn't need to wear shoes unless you are taking him for walks outside. If you are indoors or going somewhere where he will be in a stroller or seat...then socks are fine. Babies walk better on there own barefeet. It gives them a better since of balance. If you put shoes on them too soon then they won't be able to walk very well without them.

Answer 5

Try some soft shoes before going to the "real" thing. My son wore Robeez as he was learning to walk, and the transition to real shoes was easier because he had gotten used to having something on his feet. I'm doing it now with my daughter, and she doesn't object to the Robeez at all.

Check them out here:
http://www.robeez.com/Department.aspx?DeptID=226&PriceCat=2&Lang=EN-US

They're not cheap -- $26 -- but they've gotten so popular that you can now find knock-offs at Target for a lot cheaper.

Answer 6

mine is 13 months and i have essentially the same problem. start off with some velcro shoes - they're easier and faster to put on, i can usually get those on before my son makes me want to tear out my hair in frustration.
only recently am i being a stickler for him to wear shoes because it's starting to get cooler here (in germany), before that i didn't care. if he's not running about outside or if it's not cold i don't think there's a problem with being barefoot. even outside so long as you know there isn't anything he can hurt his feet on.

but if you really want to make him wear them i suggest velcro shoes first to get him used to the idea (while keeping your own sanity).

Answer 7

My little girl did the same thing!! I would put them on her and she would refuse to walk. So i just put the shoes a way and figured she has plenty of time to be requried to wear shoes, now she is 16 months and does great!

Answer 8

At 9 months, your child know what they are doing and if you don't begin by winning this battle you will fight every other battle down the line. He may not be comfortable with them but he knows if he fight long enough and screams enough, he will win and you will lose. This is a test of your authority and as he hits 11/2 or two it will only get worse. He is testing you to see if you will follow through with what you are doing.
You have to win this battle.

Answer 9

get him shoes with nice drawings on it. Buy him something he loves to eat and tell him you won't give him unless he puts on the shoes. Or tell him you are going to a place he loves(tell him a place he loves to go to) but he won't go if he doesn't put on the shoes. and you're done

Answer 10

He just has to get used to wearing shoes:)

Make sure the shoes fit him & are comfortable for him.