1. What are pre-walking shoes?
Pre-walking shoes are typically a baby's first pair of shoes. They are generally soft-soled, flexible and lightweight, as recommended by podiatrists. Pre-walking shoes should be completely flat, without a groove or arch support, while your baby learns to walk. Keeping your baby's feet completely flat helps stimulate neurones in the brain which aids cognitive and motor skill development.
2. When to buy pre-walking shoes?
Typically, babies start standing, crawling and 'cruising' around furniture (walking with the aid of chairs and tables) around the 6-8 month mark, though this does vary child to child. You can typically start wearing pre-walking shoes any time from the age of 6 months. Many parents like the idea of keeping baby's feet warm, protecting little toes and offering a non-slip grip during the 'cruising' phase.
3. What are the benefits of pre-walking shoes?
Wearing pre-walking shoes, as opposed to any other type of shoes, support your baby in taking their first, unaided steps. This is because pre-walking shoes are designed with a soft, flexible sole that allows babies to 'feel' the ground, developing cognitive and motor skills. Pre-walking shoes also offer added support and protection for little toes, including during the heat (think hot concrete), cold (babies lose heat through their feet), unsafe terrains (rocky or sharp surfaces). Wearing pre-walking shoes also keep little feet clean and avoids cuts and infections.
4. Where can I buy pre-walking shoes?
Many podiatrists stock a variety of pre-walking shoes for babies, however, my favourite pre-walking shoes for babies are Attipas. Attipas pre-walking shoes for babies slip on like a sock but support like a shoe. They also have a big toe box which allows free toe movement, helping with cognitive and motor skill development. Attipas are highly flexible and have a soft sole, making them the best pre-walking shoes for babies on the market.
5. Where to wear Attipas shoes?
Indoor:
- Your baby can use Attipas as slippers when wearing them at home, especially if you have a cold or slippery floor.
- Attipas are very easy to put on and take off, which makes them very comfortable for nursery or kindergarten. There is no need to tie laces or zip up them. Your baby can wear them as regular socks.
- Attipas is the best footwear for indoor public playgrounds, gaming facilities, labyrinths, children's rooms, Lego Lands and many more. You can leave them on even if there is a sign saying “no shoes”, as Attipas are not classic baby shoes, but rather sock-shoes. This makes Attipas shoes convenient from a hygiene point of view, because the baby’s feet do not touch dirty surfaces, especially in public places where there are many other children going barefoot.
- They are an excellent choice for shopping centres, especially in the winter. When wearing heavy winter shoes, little feet may overheat, but Attipas shoes will keep your child comfortable and you will be both able to enjoy shopping.
- They are great as spare shoes for children's parties when visiting relatives and friends’ houses. They take up very little space in a mother's bag and they can be put on really quickly.
Outdoor:
- Attipas make ideal kids’ shoes for taking walks out on the street when the weather is warm and dry. In Attipas shoes your child feels comfortable when climbing, jumping and running, as their sole does not slip and is very flexible. Depending on the outside temperature Attipas can be worn either on bare feet or with an additional pair of socks.
- Attipas footwear is great for walking in nature, whether on grass, small stones, ground, sand etc. Little feet will feel as close as possible to barefoot, while at the same time being protected from injuries and cuts.
- Attipas baby shoes are suitable for walks on the beach or near water, at pools and so on. It is absolutely fine if they get wet, as you can dry them as fast as you would regular socks.
- Attipas is the best option for outdoor kids’ playgrounds, because they are lightweight and flexible, so the child’s feet can move freely and not grow tired.
Shop Our Attipas Collection
