Baby’s First Walking Shoes

Stride Rite – Upper East Side, Manhattan

With the exciting milestone of Chase walking on MLK Jr. Day came a special and memorable rite of passage: shopping for his first walking shoes! Since Chase was born he hasn't worn shoes. Oh mind you, he's had shoes. At our baby shower he received at least six pairs of teeny sneakers and sandals. And they sat there, just as cute as they wanted to be, right in their little designer boxes until he outgrew them. And people still continued to give him shoes, despite my reminders that he didn't need them.
I don't believe in shoes for babies. I feel that babies need to be unrestricted and free to roam about in their socks or bare feet. But aside from my own philosophical standpoint it simply isn't practical to buy shoes for a baby. They're inside all the time, crawling or being held… and besides, who wears outside/walking shoes in the house? On top of that, pediatric research has indicated that wearing shoes too early can affect a baby's developing mobility. Shoes become more of a hindrance than a help when it comes to practicing walking skills. Allowing the feet to feel the floor actually helps tots develop their balance, strength, and coordination. On occasion Chase would wear booties or soft-soled baby shoes for warmth, and this was with our pediatrician's consent. However he indicated that, once Chase takes his first steps, it's time for that first pair of real shoes. Unlike "baby shoes," which are more like slippers, they'll have a supportive sole (rubber) and more substantial upper.

So this past weekend, following Chase's momentous walk, we headed to the Stride Rite on the Upper East side. When we arrived at the bright, gaily decorated kids' shoe store Chase was right in his element! There were other tots milling around, and he met a new friend right away. Then he walked around and checked out the scene a bit while we waited to be helped.

Enjoying the fun, soft Stride Rite furniture – perfect height for some cruisin'!

We waited patiently for our turn, while Chase danced, crawled, and walked about the store. When Chase's name was called the sales associate walked over and introduced herself to us.  She was so tickled that she'd be helping us pick out Chase's very first walking shoes.  She first got acquainted with Chase (who was taken with her immediately) and then we talked with her about our needs.  I explained that Chase was a new walker, and would thus be transitioning from the Red Room to the Purple Room at day care, and that he'd need shoes for walking. 

She then proceeded to measure Chase's foot.  He measured a whopping 6.5 wide, but she informed us that we should buy a size 7 so he could have a bit of room to grow.  Sounds good to me!

After we had learned his shoe size she directed us to the selection of walking shoes. She told us that we could choose any pair from the top two rows. She did indicate that he needed high tops, and that shoes that laced up were better as they offered more ankle support. We chose some basic walking shoes.

After we picked out our shoes our sales associate went to retrieve the correct size. Chase stared after her suspiciously – I'm pretty sure he sensed something life changing was about to occur. 

Chase continued to giggle and be silly while we waited for her to come back with the shoes. He didn't know what was going on, but knew that this new place was fun!

Our sales lady returned with both a white and brown pair of walking shoes.   The white only came in size 6.5 but the brown came in 7. Although I had initially wanted to go with classic white I really liked how the brown looked on his feet. I think brown is the better choice, as he has more clothing to match them and also they won't get dirty as quickly. The brown walking shoes look more like big boy shoes than the white ones, actually (maybe that's why I resisted them initially).

He attempts to stand in the shoes – something he has been doing easily since around 7 months old – and he is shocked by how heavy and cumbersome they feel. He can barely stand up straight!!

At this point he's trying to straighten up a bit and attempts to walk forward. However, he finds that he's having a difficult time lifting his feet. These things feel like lead weights! I know he is wondering why mommy and daddy have put these heavy torture devices on his feet!

At this point many parents in the store are standing around clapping and smiling. Folks have been listening to what's going on and realize that Chase just tried on his very first pair of shoes. He was so cute as he gingerly stood and felt his way around.

Unfortunately, he seemed very confused and disillusioned – this bright, happy store had seemed so fun and promising in the beginning! But the longer he stood the more comfortable he began to feel in his new shoes.

Finally, Chase standing tall and confident, taking ownership of his new walking shoes!!!

Time to pay for our shoes!

As another sales associate packed his shoes and rung us up, he explained that we should bring him back in two months for another fitting. He signed us up for the mailing list so we can receive coupons and other special offers.

"Daddy, do you think he has a snack back there for me?"

After shoe shopping we went to Pizzeria Uno's for a late lunch. For the first time we ordered Chase food from the menu. He got a kid's mac and cheese. He wore his new shoes the entire time and seemed content. By the end of the meal, however, he had begun to grow agitated with them, pulling at the laces and trying to put his foot in his mouth to taste the rubber sole. He glared at us accusingly as he tried to yank them off his feet.  I think we may have overdid it for Day 1.

Once we got home we encouraged him to practice walking. But the poor thing was so awkward and uncomfortable in his shoes. He could barely stand and definitely wasn't doing any walking. We then just took the shoes off him. He had never looked happier or more relieved! I knew we needed to let him practice wearing them in moderation. When we took the shoes off he danced and flitted around the house so joyously.

After I put him to bed I came back out to the living room to straighten up. After I had put all his toys away I saw Derek glance at the ottoman near his toy chest. He stared at the ottoman for a while, his head titled curiously. Had I missed one of Chase's toys? I followed his glance to see what had caught his attention. He finally crouched low and stuck his head under the ottoman. He pulled out a pair of little brown walking shoes, that had been knocked onto their side and wedged under the ottoman, seemingly discarded. It was as though they'd been dumped for trash.

I took the shoes from Derek and brushed them off. Then I packed them gently away in their box. We'll save his walking shoes to practice for another day. But just one tiny step at a time.