Watch out world… he’s gonna walk any day now!

This post about shoes for early walkers is brought to you courtesy of pediped. Opinions are my own. 

He’s taken his sweet time… crawling around eleven months… cruising (holding on and side stepping) around twelve months. As his thirteen month approaches he has yet to stand unaided… but he isn’t concerned at all. And neither am I.

This being my second go-round with a walker-in-the-making I am more relaxed. I know he’ll get to it when he and his body are ready. In fact, I’ve changed my tune a bit… I was so anxious for our first son to walk, but now I’m ready to trust our baby’s instincts and let him develop this very important milestone on his own.

I don’t have him using a walker toy (unless he feels like playing with something on his own in that fashion). I don’t “walk” him by holding his hands up (wow, that seems super uncomfortable for his arms and armpits to be stretched like that. And I’m guessing it can’t be good to put pressure on little bones that might not be ready for the full weight of his body).

I do let him lean against me and use me for support if he chooses. I let him feel his way through the steps he takes from one side of the couch to the next.

Slowly but surely he’s becoming confident in his own skills. He’s building up his muscular strength, as it is needed.

As he grows, (especially as he explores rougher terrain and the weather gets colder), he’ll need supportive shoes. Shoes that flex with his steps. Shoes that let his toes curl to grip the floor. These are important factors in helping babies develop a healthy stride.

pediped® shoes like the Joshua Grip n Go have Memory Foam Technology (TM) to act as a custom insole, shaping perfectly to your child’s foot. This technology absorbs shocks from walking, and keeps the heel secure to prevent slippage. I actually think my son is still in the VERY early phase where pediped Originals do well – because he’s still not walking on his own yet, but he loves to side-step in his new shoes!

Shoes from pediped® are made with natural rubber and leather, both very flexible and cushioning materials (not to mention I don’t think they chafe as much or “smell” as bad when little feet get sweaty … but that’s my own opinion!).

For our older boy – he needs a full range of shoes now. Everything from athletic to dress to casual / play shoes. (Can you believe he wants to run the mile race next week?). I feel confident putting pediped shoes on him knowing the quality construction and materials of these shoes.

We do try to live as naturally as we can around here… and letting our children’s feet develop naturally and healthily is a part of that lifestyle. Check out our two boys running around (at high speed!) in their pediped shoes!

pediped® has been awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for the promotion of healthy foot development! Don’t forget to shop their 130+ styles for back to school footwear!

And, if you like pediped® check out Brian James Footwear, www.brianjamesfootwear.com, the new women’s footwear line from Angela Edgeworth founder of pediped®.

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Thanks to pediped for sending samples for my use in creating this post. All opinions are 100% my own.