I have a 12 1/2 month old that has been walking for about a month. He is barefoot all the time. I had heard that it's best for him to be barefoot while learning to walk but now that he is a full-fledged walker, does he need shoes for support? I don't want to damage his feet either way.
You're probably going to hear lots of different opinions on this. My ped told me that they don't need shoes unless they are outside. Even with that, I don't put any shoes on my daughter unless we are going to a place of business. If we are just playing outside, none of us wear shoes.
I echo the reccomendation for Target - they are called Ministar shoes (the Targ. brand of "Robeez" - sometimes you can find used pairs online, etc.) and my daughter totally dug them. They're just nice protection for a little foot without adding extra wait or unexpected traction before she was too sure on her feet. It gave her feet time to "flatten out" before we tried hard soles too. Good luck - now that he's on the move!
I don't know of any health reasons that your child needs shoes on, but you should put them on him every once in a while so that he gets used to wearing them.
Our ped (and mother of 4) said children don't need shoes but when you do buy them for them, they don't have to be expensive to be good- Target shoes are fine.
I reccomend that you go to Target, they have shoes for your little walker with a totally soft sole that will help your baby's developing feet. In the baby section. Also, if your little guy has been walking for a while, he can wear regular shoes. These are for newbie walkers. Good luck! Your gonna need it! Trust me, I know.
When my son started walking, I put shoes on him every other day or so for a little while just to get him used to walking in them. He loves walking outside but doesn't like to go barefoot outside.
