Baby Shoes or Barefoot?

Question

I have heard both ways, but my fiancee thinks it will help our son to walk if he's wearing his flexible shoes. I always heard it's better to have your child barefoot as much as possible. I know he'll walk when he's ready, and we're not pushing him at all, but I'd like to know if shoes are better then him being barefoot?

Answer 1

barefoot- absolutely.Barefoot allows thier feet to grow and function properly without restriction. Of course in public that is hard. I always put my daughter in Bobux they are fairly inexpensive and have the cutest designs. You can order online or find a retailer near you. www.bobuxusa.com. hope that helps!

Answer 2

When your son is staying indoors, you should let him go barefoot as much as possible. Letting him touch and feel the ground restricting his feet movement is important for the development of muscles and body posture. But when he’s outside he needs the protection that shoes offer. However, it is recommended to use barefoot or minimalist shoes. KidOFit (www.kidofit.com) offer shoes that mimic the barefoot experience with thin, flexible sole that works like a second skin, and include many other unique ergonomic features.

Answer 3

I did both with my kids - they were usually barefoot in the house. Put shoes on when outside of the house, just for safety, but I don't think it necessarilly makes a big difference. They are learning to balance - sometimes shoes could help, sometimes it's easier for the baby to be able to move his toes freely. Shoes are a different surface to deal with. I think using shoes sometimes and bare feet sometimes is the way to go. I want to say all of mine took their first steps barefooted.
Hope that helps!

Answer 4

Barefoot is better. Even in flexible shoes, your baby cannot feel the ground or grip it as well as he would barefoot. My daughter is usually barefoot still at 17months, unless shoes are absolutely necessary. Most babies prefer being barefoot anyway. It is ok for him to wear shoes occasionally though, it's not going to hinder his walking any.

Answer 5

When you are at the house, then put socks on, if you have carpet then go barefoot, when you go out put shoes on, i did this with my son so he can get use to wearing shoes. And not being barefoot all the time.

Answer 6

barefoot :) im not exactly sure why except for learning to balance on their own feet and not the shoes, but i've always heard that barefoot is better :)

Answer 7

Aside from the obvious they have to wear shoes if they are walking someplace unsafe for bare feet, it is always best to have bare feet. If it is just cold loose baby booties are best, even stretchy socks can put too much pressure on the feet.

http://www.babycenter.ca/toddler/caringfor/feet/
A baby who's just started walking takes 176 steps a minute!
Experts say that the longer a child is allowed to walk without shoes, the better as this will allow their feet to develop naturally. Certainly when your toddler starts learning to walk indoors, let her walk barefoot as long as the floor is clean and safe, as this allows the feet to develop and strengthen without restriction.

Once your baby can take a few steps confidently and may be walking outdoors on rough surfaces, protect her feet with early first shoes made of flexible, lightweight and natural materials, such as soft leather, with flexible soles and non-skid bottoms.

http://happyfeetz.com/category/how_to_choose_shoes/
Shoes are not corrective and the foot does not need support for normal activities. The foot requires mobility to function normally. It has been demonstrated that populations that are predominantly bare foot have better feet than those that wear shoes.

Children’s feet grow and develop rapidly. So choosing an appropriate child's shoe is a very important task. While at home bare feet are fine.

http://www.pediped.com/Home/Whypediped.aspx
pediped™ footwear are designed to be ‘the next best thing to bare feet’

http://www.footankle.com/pdf/Your_Chilren_s_Shoes.pdf
There is controversy regarding the appropriate
shoes for children to wear as their feet grow and
develop. Barring such problems as severe flat
feet, or excessively flexible feet, it is perfectly
appropriate to allow your child to be barefoot
much of the time. Certainly while in the home
environment, bare feet are fine. The goal of children
wearing shoes is primarily to provide a protective
covering for the foot. Once protected,
the foot can develop into a healthy, functioning
structure.

http://www.oxpod.nhs.uk/childrensfeet.asp
Footwear and Shoe Fitting

Children should not wear shoes at all until they can walk, so avoid pram shoes. For babies, avoid tightly wrapped blankets that prevent kicking and leg movement and avoid baby-grows (unless you cut the foot out).

Walking bare foot, where it is safe, is good for feet. Children's feet are vulnerable to deformity from any ill-fitting footwear/hosiery until the bones are completely formed at about 18 years of age. Fitted socks made from natural materials are much better than stretch-fit socks.

Answer 8

When he is inside the home barefoot is best. Shoes are mainly for fashion and to protect their feet outside.

Answer 9

My son goes barefoot...Ive heard and asked doctor if its better and she said yes until they are about 2 years old. Then they need support for the ankles.

When I do put shoes on him to go outside and play, he wears soft sole shoes like Robeez or sandals.

Answer 10

I used to work in pediatric orthopaedics and our dr's suggested Robeez there are some knock off's too, at target and bobux and such shoes, they are great my little one wore then and still does. and the plus of them besides of them being so darn cute they can't get them off. Barefoot is fine too, but get him some soft soled shoes. Believe me when he starts walking you will be wishing he was still crawling or laying on the floor rolling around. LOL enjoy it is such a great time!!!!
P.S. you can also wash them too! nice feature