Why Barefoot is Best for Pre-walking and Walking Babies

Myth: Babies need shoes on when they are learning to walk

Fact: Barefoot is best for babies who are learning to stand and walk

Ditch the shoes and allow your child to use their feet to learn to stand and walk! For typically developing children it’s not necessary to utilize shoes unless the child needs protection from the elements outdoors.

Bringing awareness to your baby’s feet early on can help them with milestones down the road! Feet play a big part in rolling, pivoting, crawling, standing and walking. Touching, massaging and playing games with baby’s feet can be a great way to give input and bring awareness to them. You can also use rattle socks as a fun way to add extra motivation.

When your little is ready for shoes, check out my tips for winter shoe buying:
❄️Good traction is a must!
❄️A wide toe box so their toes don’t get squished especially with thick winter socks
❄️Velcro for an adjustable fit (you don’t want their fit sliding around inside the shoe)
❄️Higher top shoes can keep little ankles warm
❄️Something cozy that they’ll want to wear!

The shoes in the photo (from @tenlittlekids - not sponsored!) fit the bill perfectly for everyday winter shoes. If you live in an area that gets snow/ice you’ll want to also have a pair of good snow boots. Click the link in my bio to get my downloadable fall shoe guide for more tips and examples of PT recommended shoes!

If you find yourself questioning if your baby is learning how to walk properly, book a free consultation appointment with me!

P.S. Grab my walking course to learn more! This course is great for pre-walking babies: all the ingredients you need to get baby moving!