Up until now (son is 30mos), all of my son's shoes have been hand-me-downs or second-hand-purchased, so he's used to putting on shoes and them being broken in. I recently bought him 3 pairs and he tries to walk in them, but its "ow ow ow" with each step and he takes them off after a few steps. I'm guessing I need to break in these shoes somehow, but have no ideas on how to do it! I've tried 'curling' them, so the soles get more pliable, but I'm at a loss. Any tips would be appreciated!
EDITED to add (thanks Mitzi for reminding me!): He was fitted for all of them and they fit fine in the store, but I didn't have him walk in the shoes. I thought it might be the first pair, but it happened with all 3 and only with the brand new shoes (all diff types - sneakers, boots, hikers).
Thanks for the replies everyone, I'll be returning the shoes. I was replacing ones that he'd had and loved (a pair by Stride Rite, a pair by Buster Brown and a pair by Skechers - none of them hard soled or dress shoe). The only differences were size and that they were brand new as opposed to used. I did have him fitted/sized for these new pairs, but didn't have him walk in them since they were styles/types that he currently wore (not thinking that taking 3 steps would make a difference). I checked his feet for blisters/bruising (in case his smaller shoes had injured him) and didn't find anything. Back to square one.
The answer to your question is in your EDITED portion of this message!!! You tried the shoes on, but you did not have him walk around in them!!! And whoever sold you those shoes, didn't know what they were doing. My grandma (God rest her soul) always told me to try the shoes on, and walk around in them like you would normally walk - not as if you are trying on a pair of shoes. I really hope this helps, and good luck!!
I believe that it's very important to buy good quality shoes for little ones - the soles need to be flexible when you buy them and they need to be cut for the right shape foot. I buy mostly Stride Rite (there's an outlet in Grove City and one in Washington) for this reason, and I've never had complaints from my guys about their shoes. I also found some nice dress shoes at Kohl's that have an Osh Kosh label. We've gotten shoes with stiff soles as hand-me-downs and they never got comfortable... just my two cents, but good foot support is much more important than cute blue jeans ;)
Are you using soft soled shoes. Stride Rite has a line of softer soled shoes (I think it's their 1-2-3 step or something like that). See Kai Run is another brand with flexible soles. I would return the ones you have if he hasn't 'worn' them, just tried them on. If he has worn them, I would go back to the store with DS for some explanation of why they hurt now. If they hurt now I don't think they will get better. Perhaps your shoe fitter was inexperienced.
Good luck,
D.
I would imagine if they hurt his feet that they do not fit. Did you have him fitted and walk in the store with them? I have used both hand-me-downs and new shoes (lately more new, but clearanced) and never had my children complain that they hurt or struggle to walk in them. That is the same for my 2 year old and 4 year old. It could also be the kind of shoe. I usually just get Target brand sneakers and they are pretty pliable from the start. I have seen some that are more dressy that have huge, hard bottoms, and I can't imagine a child would find them comfy. Poor kiddo...hope you can get something to work out.
Oh, and I've only had my kids "fitted" once that I recall, I usually either bring them and try things on them or take a paper cut out of their feet to slip into the shoes. That has worked well for sizing for me.
Does he have wide feet? I think if he does at all that is why they bother him when he walks. They probably feel tight across the middle of his foot. I would take some newspapers and stuff them in the shoes until they look stretched out. If they are leather you could take some alcohol and rub some across the middle of the shoes. I would leave them like that for a few days.Good luck
I have never had to break in shoes for any of my 3. I've bought from resale shops and brand new alike as well as had some handed down between my kids.
If they're hurting his foot they're never going to get any better.
Sometimes it's not the size but the cut of the shoe. The kids have tried on shoes that look fine in the box and should be the right size but when they put them on they hate them.
I try to naver buy shoes without them trying them on.
