When to start wearing shoes?

Did not use actual shoes on dd1 until she was about 16 months and needed them to play outside more. She was in Robeez until then.

DD didn't wear any shoes at all until she started learning to walk (around 1 YO). At that point, I bought her some super soft soled shoes to protect her feet and she only wore them outside. Now she's 2 YO and still doesn't really ever wear shoes inside the house.

DD wore shoes when they looked really really cute with her outfit (I know I'm going to get yelled at for that), but not full time until this week. She' learning to walk and always wants to walk when we're in public so shoes it is.

We don't use shoes (unless needed for warmth- rare in Houston) until they are walking enough that they want to walk in places you shouldn't walk barefoot lol

THEN the shoes should be soft enough to crumple in one hand.

-Angela

Both DS and DD were more stable barefoot, too. I loved the Soft Star moccasins for both of them... they are like a really high quality Robeez that is "street safe" because the leather soles are tougher... kindof like a roomy glove for your feet. They are lined in sheepskin but according to them the sheepskin is fine in warm weather and the main function is for keeping sweaty feet dry and not stinky! I bought a pair for myself (they come in adult sizes, too) and have to say I agree with them on that point. I love mine. Their website is www.softstarshoes.com... really nice people. For me I feel like this is the best compromise when they can't be barefoot.. and now at age 6 and 2 they still prefer their Soft Star mocs to any other shoes when it is time to hit the road.

P.S. you can crumple them in your hand... but they are very protective of sharp objects for when you are in town.

More stable? She's walking?

I say, a baby is ready for very soft soled shoes (Robeez, Pedipeds) when she is walking outside in good conditions or inside public places, if you are concerned. Baby can have the flexible "hard" soled shoes (Robeez Tredz, for example) when she starts, say, wanting to walk outside in less-good conditions.

Babies who are not walking outdoors do not need shoes, except possibly booties to keep their feet warm in very cold conditions, or for a medical condition.

http://www.padraigcottage.com/store.aspx

I love, love, love these slippers. I have some that I wear constantly around the house (even in summer). It get cold here in the winters so my nieces wear these around. They are great and cute (and natural!) for a non-walker to wear, and also durable enough and not slippery for a walker to wear. They are pricey, but in my experience with them they last FOREVER.

As far as WHEN to start wearing shoes, I think needing to keep warm and/or learning to walk (esp. outside) are some natural guidelines of when to start shoes.

DD is 9mo and walking (sort of) and pulling herself up all over the place. She doesn't wear shoes, infact, she HATES wearing shoes, and will curl her toes up so it's impossible to put shoes on her. I figure once she's walking by herself, then we'll put shoes on her more often.

tivi - thanks for the link! I'm going to suggest to DP about getting DD a pair, or two, of those mocs....and maybe a pair for the both of us, too! They look very comfy, and I'll need something to keep DD's feet warm now that the weather is getting cold.

I'll do the same that I did w/ dd. Mine wear shoes only when the ground is not something I'd want them crawling on....in that case, they wear Robeez moccasin type shoes ONLY. Then when they are running, jumping & climbing (around 2 yrs), then it's See Kai Run, Pedipeds or Preschoolians.

Flexible shoes for kids are recommended until at least 2 yrs old last I knew. DD1 is 5.5 yrs old and still wears only flexible bottom shoes, lol!

We started out with Robeez only. Around 18 months we started trying other shoes but DS would sit down and cry and try to get the shoes off, so we stuck with Robeez. At 2 he started wearing See Kai Run, as well as Robeez.

Ds1 walked at 9 months but just wore Robeez until 18 months. Actually he had rubber boots which he wore at 12 months but that was just for rain. (we are in rainy Vancouver)
I'd stick with Robeez as long as possible then move to Robeez Tredz or See Kai Run.