Baby/toddler shoes

jackyann

I may be a bit late for OP, but would add (ex-health visitor here & was taught by an excellent chiropodist) - but consider my advice carefully as it does depend on individual circumstances.

ITA do not scrimp on children's shoes - do get them properly fitted. Watch the fitter so you can replicate it yourself later.
HOWEVER: do not buy shoes when they are very young - none for babies.
When beginning walking, consider deferring - they should walk barefoot inside unless you have problem floors (if it is cold, look for slippers or socks with non-slip soles) and can be barefoot outside if you think it is safe. Consider sandals or wellingtons (as appropriate) for short periods.
Don't buy until they are walking out of doors enough to warrant it.

Clarkes are very good indeed, along with Start-Rite & 1 or 2 others, but they do milk their position.

pigpen

My childrens podiatrist have all told us not to have anything like wellies or sandals as neither provide support and wellies are impossible for tiddlies to walk in and due to their height they restrict ankle movement so should not be worn unless necessary, the feet also marinate in their own sweat which is really good for fungal infections.

clairec79

Any reason why you can't have them measured in Clarkes and then buy the right size somewhere else

Xaniwoop

Sizes vary from shop to shop (Start rite are generally half a size bigger compared to the same size in Clarks) and fashion shoes don't have width fittings. Also fitting is about more than size its about a fit that can vary from style to style in the same size and brand. Having said that the Start Rite website has some good videos showing how to fit children's shoes, so you could use a combination of those and shop measurements to check the fit of cheaper shoes/shoes bought online if you wanted to. But I'm firmly in the good fitting shoes for growing feet camp myself.

balletshoes

even Clarkes shoes, brought out to you in the correct size and width fitting, vary from shoe style to style - last year my DD was measured, 3 pairs of the correct size/width brought out, but only 2 fit her, the others were too narrow.

jackyann

pigpen wrote: »

My childrens podiatrist have all told us not to have anything like wellies or sandals as neither provide support and wellies are impossible for tiddlies to walk in and due to their height they restrict ankle movement so should not be worn unless necessary, the feet also marinate in their own sweat which is really good for fungal infections.

Just to clarify: I am not talking about kids wearing these for any length of time. I did think that I made that clear, but maybe not.
I am talking about a typical 11-14 month old (and am very aware that some don't walk & some walk a long way!) who toddles down the garden & back, but doesn't walk more than a couple of hundred yards or so. Protection, rather than support is the issue here.
Some kids, as soon as they walk at all are up for walking everywhere, in that case: shoes without a doubt. Observe your child - if it looks like they are not doing well in wellies or sandals, then either barefoot where safe, or shoes.
Also: good socks, washed properly should prevent any infection.

One of the problem about a lot of childcare advice is that aiming for the gold standard is very expensive. I am trying to say, this is "silver" advice & better than scrimping on the shoes when they are really needed.