We really think barefoot or soft soled shoes are they way to go when babies are learning to walk.
With Andrew we discovered Robeez shoes, and they were great! They were so cute and comfy for his little feet.
Then when we had Abigail we could not find a decent price on Robeez, so we tried out Pedipeds, and I love them even more! They are so well made and hold up very well! We've bought all ours second hand and still been able to resell them and get most of our money back!
We started with the Isabella
then moved on to the Abigail
and now we are loving the Caroline
According
to the American Podiatric Medical Association, "Allowing the youngster
to go barefoot or to wear just socks helps the foot to grow
normally and to develop its musculature and strength as well as the
grasping action of the toes." Doctors also recommend that children
first learning to walk go barefoot or wear soft flexible shoes. Walking
around barefoot is not always practical, as little feet need protection
from rough surfaces and dirty floors. Soft-soled shoes provide the
health benefits of being barefoot, with the added protection of a
padded sole.
"
As babies' and toddlers'
feet begin to develop, a soft, pliable shoe, such as pediped™ footwear,
is essential to not only provide the foot protection, but also enough
mobility for the foot to properly form. pediped™ Footwear has been
awarded the Seal of Acceptance by the American Podiatric Medical
Association because of the product's high podiatric standards."
