Do babies need shoes?

I don't think babies need shoes. They don't walk, they don't need shoes. I always put socks on their feet, and shoes just for the fun of it. But if I wasn't in the mood for shoes, they didn't wear them. I still see older kids, like 10 year olds that run the stores bear foot. That bothers me because they could run something in their feet. Babies are fine. Besides, I like to see their tiny little toes. It's fun.

Are they walking on the ground where they have a chance of stepping on something? If so they should wear shoes in public places. Not only for their safety but for sanitation. Now if they are being carried, in a stroller or something like that then why bind their little feet up into uncomfortable shoes.

My 18 month old daughter is obsessed with her shoes, so she will not go outside without them on. Half the time in the house she will put them on herself. BUT, when we are in the car she will take them off almost every time. I used to always put them back on her before I took her into a store, but I stopped doing it recently. I figure she is not going to be walking in the store, so why bother putting them back on when she is going to take them off again as soon as we get back out to the car. To her taking them off is as much fun as putting them on. So, no I do not think it is necessary for a child who will not be walking around a store to have shoes on. If they are going to be walking that is a different story.

If a baby is too small to walk, then no, they don't need shoes and it doesn't bother me at all to see them barefoot. But a child who is old enough to walk should have them in public because even if they walk for just a short while, their feet need to be covered to protect against germs and who know what else may be on the ground or floor. I have heard lots of snide remarks and been given dirty looks for a number of reasons. After a while you get so it doesn't bother you as much. Strangers for some reason feel a need to stick their noses into everyone's business. Mothers need to develop a tough skin to survive these days. Here is an article I wrote on the subject. http://www.helium.com/items/263222-how-to-face-critics-when-you-parent-differently

I think most of us love to see baby feet. As an old timer myself, I would never let my childs feet touch a dirty floor. That is where bacteria and illness come from. That is what older people know. The dirt these days are full of chemicals and who knows what. I wouldn't think the no s-s-s applies to children, but I am not sure. We had a little boy that would come in our business in the summer pull his shoes off and place them on the air conditioner vent to cool while we waited on his mother. That was so cute.