When to buy first shoes?

[OpheliaBitz]

DD (14mth) is walking fairly confidently indoors now, but has not tried outside yet. Is it best to buy her first shoes now, or to give it another month or two? I'm aware of the need to let baby feet grow uninhibited as much as possible, so don't want to get her into shoes until I need to, but am also conscious of her rapid progress in walking and that she will need to get used to having shoes on her feet probably fairly soon (she rebels against socks, so not sure how she'll take to shoes!)

Also, can anyone recommend which shop is best, both for service and advice, and also decent quality shoes? We're within reasonable distance of most places like Clarks, Mothercare etc.

Thanks in advance!

When she's walking confidently. I'd always go with Clarks.

At that interim stage I used moccasin shoes eg snuggle feet brand. Almost like bare feet. I got Clarke when she was walking a lot and climbing around in the play park.

Wait as long as possible and then get cruisers or crawlers or doodles the specialist I saw (erm foot consultant) said soft shoes for as long as possible. They love wearing wellies when it's too wet for the soft shoes!

Thanks all! I might hold off on the proper shoes until she's properly walking, and get some snuggle feet moccasins for now.

And some wellies

Clarks Crawlers are amazing and much cheaper and better for their feet than hard leather shoes, start rite do something similar. Rubber soles and suede uppers just so supple with grip, weather resistant and so so soft for their feet.

Sadly my dds had huge feet so they didn't get to wear them for long enough!

Soft shoes are perfect until walking properly. Although lots of people live Clarks, their shoes come in a narrow range of sizes and are generally quite rigid. We have always gone to an independent children shoe shop which sells a range of brands. While DS may measure to a certain size, particular brands and styles usually vary a bit in size, so the assistant can usually find something that fits the size and shape of his foot. Many of the brands sold are also much softer and some have what are called 'barefoot soles', which aid natural foot development etc. these shops tend to be more expansive than Clarks but we've found the two near to us offer a much better service and DS has always had lively, comfortable shoes.

Bear in mind the fastenings - my Dd loves to undo her velcro ones and chuck them! I have only found velcro ones in Clarks so need to look somewhere else for her second pair!

Mouseymum, we found metal clasp ones in clarks for dd last pair.

I suspect DD would make short work of Velcro straps too!

Thanks for the tip about trying different makes to see which fits best; I can't think why it didn't occur to me that different brands would have differences in fit. I have tracked down an independant shop not too far away, so will take DD there when she's too big for soft shoes.

Metal clasps? Bliss! I must find these!