It was apparent she realised those few steps are a big achievement as her face lit up with a smile to show how happy and proud she was. Immediately, baby Clarisse felt so enjoyable she walked to and fro between me and my husband repeatedly until she tires.

She likes to push a chair around the house for the pass 2 weeks. I guess that helped her a lot in gaining enough confidence to let go and take the few steps forward unaided.

It’s a farcry from one month ago when she would downright refuse it whenever I wanted to put on baby shoes for her. Very peculiar her dislike for wearing baby shoes and I really don’t know why. Somehow, I managed to break down that barrier by constantly tempting her to walk on her own two feet, she’d have to wear shoes like everyone else. I know she likes to walk on the floor very much. I am sincerely hoping that when she gets a taste of what it feels like walking around, she would grow fonder to wearing baby shoes. Eventually, baby Clarisse gave in, wore the pair of new shoes and walked everywhere holding onto things along the way.

Nowadays baby Clarisse love her shoes so much that she wanted to wear wherever we go.  She will always ask me to put on the shoes for her before we get down from the car.

Which brings us to what I looked into when choosing a suitable pair of shoes for my baby Clarisse:

1) It is common to find older folks sharing their wisdom to always go for a looser fit for toddlers. Just like my mother-in-law, upon seeing the new pair of shoes I bought, she told me to return it and change for a bigger one for baby Clarisse because she think the size is too small for baby Clarisse. Although it can’t be denied that toddlers can outgrow their shoes very fast, it is advisable to go for a perfect fit. Not too big or too small to help your toddler walk with ease.

2) Easy on and easy off shoes are best for a new walker. This is very much depend on the toddler’s foot shape as well as on the fit of the particular pair of shoes.

3) Make sure the shoe is light weight, so that will not put unnecessary extra weight for a new walker when walking.

4) Non-slip and non-grip soles are more suitable for a new walker so that it will not be slippery or so ground-gripping until it’s hard to lift a foot.

5) Flexible soles are best for a new walker, this can make them easier to walk.

6) Heels are definately not suitable for a new walker,  even slightly raised heel will cause imbalance.

Finally, of course before buying a pair of shoes, do consider if its reasonably priced.  It will definately need replacing four to five times within a year. As long as the shoes are reasonable priced and is well made for the sake of comfort and safety, it should be worth buying.