First shoes

[CharlieMouseWillDoIt]

I'll need to get first shoes for DD soon. Only Clarks and StartRite are on my radar at the moment. Are these still the best places to get baby/toddler shoes or are there other places? Obviously I'll want to get her properly measured and in a shoe that fits.

I take mine to Clarks and judge parents who don't

I take DS to an independent shoe stop which stocks startrite and various other brands. I don't know anyone who has a good word to say about our local Clarks tbh.

a good clarks, make sure the child is wearing decent thick socks that are not to tight , small socks are just as bad as small shoes.

oh and if you do get a correctly fitted pair and want some more, these are always good value,

www.shoesforkids.co.uk/

Also, make sure you get 'pre-walkers' at first. The soles are much softer to help with keeping the feet mobile and as an extra bonus, they tend to be cheaper too . Current advice is the child should have been walking for at least six weeks before getting shoes, and shoe use should be limited to outside the house if at all possible.
Second TSP's independent shoe shop recommendation too - much wider choice.

Thanks for all your good advice. I'm not sure where my nearest independent shoe shop is, but I'll try to find one.

So to clarify MoonlightandRoses point - should the "pre-walking" shoes be worn for the first 6 weeks or so once DD has started to walk?

DD is almost 15 months and has never worn shoes. She's been cruising along the furniture for a few months, but has only recently started to stand independently for a few seconds at a time.

I got ds s from Clarks they do softer per walker cruising shoes. Health visitor advice was to wait until they were steady on their feet before buying them but ds was walking everywhere steadily or not his feet needed some protection. I left it a little late and had to suffer the embarrassment of 11 month ds who refused to go in pushchair walking into shoes shop in his socks

charlie it's pre-walkers after 4-6 weeks of real walking. Being barefoot as much as possible helps their balance, which in turn helps them to learn to walk. Its also cheaper to boost. I assume he 4-6 weeks is how long it will take for them to actually walk confidently in a park or on the street?

Mine is just cruising and standing, so not et in any state to go for a walk outside yet.

another one that goes to independent shoe shop, clarks are crap.

if you want something for inside and she isnt quite walking yet, those little leather slip ons are good, daisy roots or inch blue, lots of other makes as well, they are lovely, great for little feet and come in lots of lovely designs :)

Try happylittlesoles.co.uk

Wonderful independent online retailer who stocks lots of different models. The owner Is fab with advice and I trust her.

www.Happylittlesoles.co.uk

I go to Clarks, get him measured, come home and buy the same pair on ebay 2nd hand. Ds goes through so many shoes and i couldn't before Clarks new.
Or Jonathan James, but have to check fit yourself, so not ideal to start with.

Afford not before, sorry.