First shoes

[purpleme12]

Can you only get shoes for really little feet, ie first pair of shoes from clarks? Can you get them from supermarkets too? I thought I'd heard someone say they had but I looked in sainsburys and couldn't see any little ones. Does everyone go to clarks?

Clerks or Startrite for us as I wanted DD feet measured. When she gets older she'll end up with supermarket ones, etc. if £30 a pair makes you cry at the thought try the clarks outlet or get measured in store and source some online. I got a pair recently of Startrite on John Lewis sale for only £6.50.

I think getting their feet measured is important. I know it can be difficult when shoes are so expensive though. Remember they don't need shoes at all until they're walking outside.

I'll get her feet measured anyway but I haven't even seen any really little sizes in the supermarkets. Do they do them?

Supermarkets normally don't start until size 4/5. You really need to get a proper pair of shoes for the first ones. Cheap ones don't have the appropriate support for little feet learning to walk. They are also a standard width, which may not be suitable for your child.As others have said, plenty of bargains to be had!

mothercare sell them much cheaper. I got my DD some (size 2 for her tiny feet) and got two pairs for less than I would have paid for one had I gone to clarks.

Are the ones in mothercare clarks or srartrite or their own brand?

Mothercare are own brand.lots are plastic tho

own brand and as pp said lots are plastic. you just have to check what you're buying first.

Do you think it's worth getting pre-walkers? Do they need them? I've heard and read both for and against

I never bothered with any of mine. I dont see the point in them tbh.

They should only have 'proper' soled shoes once they are walking heel to toe. Before that, they should be soft. I used to have to turn away many an eager parent!

I would always get them properly fitted, I know too many people with foot/knee/back etc issues linked to poorly fitting shoes as children.

mmm perhaps i'll wait til she's really proper walking til I get her feet fitted then. All I have are pram shoes at minute which of course don't have any grip because they're not meant for walking at all so I don't put her in them (also she just pulls them off so I've given up most of the time) she'll just have to not walk outside at all til she can walk properly I guess and we can get some shoes

You can get soft shoes with grippy soles to encourage her to get the motion right, just keep it soft until.she's cracked it.

Pediped do lovely 'little' shoes but again not cheap. You can find barely worn shoes on eBay in small sizes if you have the patience

I've found Livie and Luca to be the lightest, softest most appropriate shoes for little ones.

I used these socks with a rubber sole for my kids. I found them in the pharmacy. I think they are called skidders.

Purple pre walkers serve little purpose. Bare foot is best for development. Well fitted shoes when properly walking all the time

Mine had this kind of thing until they had been walking confidently for a couple of months.

You might also want to check out Happy Little Soles.

Agree with livie and Luca and happy little soles.
Clark's are very stiff and narrow for developing feet I can't understand why they have the market share

You don't need shoes until they are actually walking outside properly. Shoes do not help learning to walk. Bare feet does. For example you are less likely to trip on bare feet on stairs or slippery floors.

Save your money really.

Ok I think I'll save my money til it's time to buy proper shoes

I waited until my DS was walking properly before purchasing his first shoes. I didn't see the point in them before then. I took him to get measured and bought Bobux first walkers. They fitted great and where quite light for him to get used to walking with before going on to a heavier shoe.

If you're interested, in H&M they have little canvas shoes, with proper grippy soles, for £8. They were not dissimilar to the ones my mum bought for my little brother from Clarks.

I am not sure what they had in the little girls' section, but it might be worth a look.

Hth

She is sometimes taking a few steps by herself (this seems to be only a few every so often at the minute) and sometimes walking with you holding her hands and most often bum shuffling still. How long from doing this did it take your child to walk?

Also I am now considering getting shoes/cruisers because to go in the garden or the playground. Would real shoes be ok for now or does she have to get cruisers because she's not walking properly yet?

Bump