Advice History

Do you have any advice for when all the other parents start talking about their baby's walking?

Walking is one of those things parents love to compare. As your child reaches walking age, other moms and dads on the playground will begin to ask, "Is she walking yet?" and then follow-up with, "My precious walked right out of the uterus!" Good for them. Don't let anyone around you let their comments bother you or concern you when it comes to when your child begins to walk, everyone does it on their own time table. Let your excitement come from the moment you see them stand, let go of the thing they are holding onto and finally take that first step. It's more amazing than you can imagine and one of the many joys of the year ahead.

When you think they're about to start, always have a camera ready. They don't announce when they're ready to try those first steps - they just do it. And once they start, they never stop. Soon they'll be running, and before you know it, moving away to college. Treasure all the wobbly leg time they give you, and try not to feel bad when they start becoming more independent. It's all part of growing up (for them and you).

Should babies wear shoes as they start on their walking adventures?

There are thousands of cute baby shoes out there, but the best shoe for new walkers is none at all. A baby's foot is still developing at the time he begins to walk, and shoes that have inflexible soles or constrict the feet can interfere with proper foot development. Problems with this early development can lead to foot problems throughout life.

But while being barefoot is best, there are many times when it simply isn't safe to let your baby walk without protection, like when walking outdoors or when its cold outside. If the area is free of sharp objects, a soft-soled shoe provides a cover for the foot without disturbing foot development. If there is the risk of stepping on something sharp, a shoe with a sturdy yet flexible sole works best. To know if the sole is flexible, try this test: bend the shoe in half so that the toe touches the heel of the shoe. If it is difficult to flex or won't flex at all, find a better shoe.