Hand-me-down Shoes from a Pigeon Toed/bow Legged Child

Dear C.,
It was always advised that you buy new shoes for every child, because using old ones can cause exactly the problem you're describing. They way I handled things was, I would only pass along shoes that my kids have worn fewer than 10 times. Things like formal shoes, that they only wore once for my sister-in-laws wedding. Or speciality shoes like beach/water shoes. All other shoes I tossed in the trash because I knew that no one should wear them. It is a bit easier when you pass the shoes among siblings because there you know exactly how often they have been worn. I hope this helps. A.

We used to let my daughter wear hand-me-down "party shoes" but not the every day shoes. She so seldem wore the party shoes, it wasn't worth buying new ones.

Hi Ihave always heard that you should never have kids wear hand me down shoes for the very reason you are describing. Even someone who walks normally probably walks differently from your child, and therefore wears the shoes out differently.That will affect your child's comfort and the way they walk..
P..

I would definitely get her new shoes.

Look at the soles of the shoe and see how they are warn, also look at the insoles. Variations in our feet and gate makes us wearout shoes in different ways... ie I tend to make my shoes wear out on the outer edge before the inner. If the wear pattern is made from the pressure of a kid with bowlegs or pigeon toes, they've got to cause some undue stress on the legs of a kid with a different gate.

JMO, but hope it helps.

T.

I think I would keep dress shoes--they probably weren't worn that much, and you girl won't wear them that much, either. For everyday shoes, I buy new or close to it, anyway, just 'cause they probably are going to get plenty of wear, anyhow. If the shoe is obviously worn funny, I wouldn't have my daughter (6 weeks older than yours) wear it. For this summer, she'll have tennis shoes, but she still wears the soft leather moccasins some, too, 'cause they're comfortable & easy to make.

They SAY not to put children in used shoes because it can be bad for them, but if the shoes are barely worn, I doubt it would hurt. Before you decide to toss them, I would look at how your daughter walks when barefoot. Sometimes "Pigeon toed" to us is just toddler walk. If the shoes are really worn or totally shaped to the other girls' foot inside, it might be best to get new ones.

I agree with the other posts. I've heard the same about clothes and toys as great hand-me-downs, but definitely not shoes. I highly recommend Pedi Ped shoes. They carry a nice selection of basic shoes that are wonderful for growing feet. The company has its own website and I've also found the shoes at Endless.com which offers free shipping and free returns which is great with little ones. All the best to you and yours.

Hi C.,

I raised five children...and the Ped Dr. said that shoes are the only thing that should not be hand me down...unless there is no other choice...I saved enough on not buying clothes that shoes were then a small price to pay...

My heart to yours,
T.

Clothes are fine, but I would NOT use hand-me-down shoes for a child's developing foot. Our rule for the kids is: cheap clothes, quality NEW shoes.

Hi!
My rule of thumb is to always buy new for your own child unless the shoes were the dress shoe type and maybe only worn once or twice... but for their reg. shoes, I buy new so their feet develop the way they were meant to and not have grooves inside the shoe to force the foot into.
Good luck!

I would toss all of those shoes. Your baby's developing feet and walking is critical now. I would find a shoe store where the people who fit your daughter's shoe are knowledgable and sell you shoes that have 3 months of growth. Children outgrow their shoes every 3 months.

I was lucky enough when my daughter was that age to find a wonderful children's shoe store where the owner recognized that the brand new sneakers that I bought her were too small and causing her to turn in one foot. Their shoes were more expensive, but worth it.

Good luck,
E.

Ive read that you should not use second hand shoes because they will reshape the feet. I would buy new tennis shoes and sandals, but not dress shoes. They only wear those once or twice a year-and if they are like my kids, usually strip dress clothes off within a few hours. That is not enough to make any difference.

Hi C.
I look at it this way, as an adult ever wear hand me down shoes or borrow a friends and you notice that your friend walks a little different than you do? for example they might lean their foot a little more to the right and because of this you try and keep your foot straight but can't because their imprints cause your foot to also lean to the right. same goes with the child and for them, they aren't as sensitive to the difference than an adult might be so they will probably follow the previous owners shoe imprint..
I say no to shoe hand me downs. UNLESS barely barely worn.. I don't like to chance it..

Hi C.,

My sister used to work at a children's shoe store and saw first hand the differences that can happen with cheap shoes or hand me downs. I was always told to buy new shoes for your child, because they are developing their walking skills and muscles. Wearing shoes that are 'broken in' by someone else could cause problems. I know children's shoes are expensive, but one thing that's worth spending the extra money on. There are outlet stores you can go to, just make sure you have your child's feet measured professionally first to ensure the proper fit.

God bless.

N.

If the previous worn shoes have been worn down in a particular pattern your daught will stand/walk in them the same way. Most of the good shoes warn of the label not to pass on as wear pattern vary from children. Not a big deal and most of us generally safely ignore this but in this case you prob should get other shoes.

Hi C.-
Baby shoes are fairly inexpenive, aren't they? And while kids go through them quicker than kleenex, I think if you have concerns, you should def. make that one thing you don't get as a hand me down. My only concern on those shoes is that they are worn in in certain places inside because the previous wearer is bow legged. It puts different stresses on the shoes and different low points. YOur child is still developing her walking skills and should wear shoes that are best for her feet. Check with your pediatrician or advice nurse, and maybe tell your friend thanks for all the hand me downs (they save tons of money!), and while you appreciate all the stuff, the doc says your baby needs her own shoes. OR, you can just toss them when they arrive. I know that shoes were the one thing my parents did not let us share or hand me down when we were younger.
I hope that helps.
-E. Mc.

I agree with the other moms. Shoes wear out the way we wear them. If we roll our ankles out, the other edges wear first. Anyone who wears that shoe will force their feet to roll out.

Buy her a pair or two of new shoes and toss the old ones.
Stephanie

My young school aged son does wear some 2nd hand sandals & sneakers but they do not have any noticable wear patterns to them, so I am okay with them. But if they were causing my young little toddler to stand/walk funny (whether her own or hand me downs) I'd get another pair of shoes on her pronto!

I'd look at how much wear/walking she does in each of them. Definitely get sneakers & sandals for sure. Dress shoes yes if the shoes already show uneven wear on the soles. If they look/feel (and act) brand new, and your daughter only wears them to fancy occasions, for photo shoots and weddings and such, then maybe you can get by. But if you wear the dress shoes every sunday, then go ahead and get new ones.

Look at it this way - you are BLESSED to get 99% of her clothes, so you CAN afford to buy new shoes. Don't feel bad about "splurging" on her shoes - it will save a lot of grief and possibly some big bucks later on to have her feet & walking habits develop normally.

I've heard and read you should not use hand-me-down shoes because they wear a certain way, and provide little to no support for your child.