Measuring babies feet - where am I going wrong?

[doireallyneedaname]

For obvious reasons I’m not particularly keen on taking him to the shops to be measured so I’m trying to do it myself with no luck!

His soles measure 10cm which google tells me is a 2.5 (he’s 9 months)

Thing is, he has a pair of Vans trainers that measure the same and his feet have outgrown them, especially the width.

I feel like I’m missing something fundamental here. Anyone?

There some good info on measuring and sizing here:. www.happylittlesoles.co.uk/advice

Buy a gauge from Clarks. Much easier.

Is he walking already? If not, get the soft leather ones that don’t need an exact size?

You could buy a foot gauge, they are about a tenner. In all honesty though shoes are a complete waste of money until they are needed for walking outside, and badly fitted shoes are so damaging for little feet, I'd be tempted to just leave it.

Like these
www.office.co.uk/view/product/office_catalog/4,85/3575687187991?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxqmD5rqs7QIVA-vtCh1kuQ1aEAQYCiABEgL8H_D_BwE

Oh that link is broken. Sorry!

A 9 month old really doesn't need 'proper' shoes. Unless he's walking outside, get soft pram shoes to keep his feet warm, or just put a couple of pairs of socks on him.
It's not good to put tiny developing feet in hard shoes if they aren't walking.

Shoes aren't a uniform measurement. Just like clothes, different brands will come up as different fits.

That’s what he’s got as he’s not walking (but trying!) and they are now too small!

I’m aware, however he’s standing by himself already so I’m anticipating walking very soon as he’s trying quite hard. He’s in soft pram shoes or the moment.

I'd stick with something like Poco Nido shoes which come in age ranges until he is walking independently outside for any lengths of time. That's likely to be at least 12/13 months.

The advice on Happy Little Soles’ website is superb, as posted by @ItsAllGoingToBeFine. They are really helpful if you ring them. On their website they give shoe sizes in cm too, to overcome the discrepancies between manufacturers. I think also, length is generally measured diagonally from the centre of the heel, to the top of the big toe.

Please, stick to soft shoes! Realistically he's not going need hard soles for walking outside for a while and will grow before then! Soft ones are fine for learning to walk indoors - even better is bare foot, they'll get a good feel for balance before needing shoes.
The only way to find the right fit is trying them on, whatever kind of shoe. If you can't get to a shop, order 2 or 3 sizes and return the wrong ones. Asda do some nice first walker shoes when he's ready for them.

You need to take into account room for growing - so if the foot measures 10cm and the shoe measures 10cm there is no growing room. Also, the inside space of shoes is different to the sole length. Happy Little Soles is a great website for explaining fit.

Also, there can be quite a gap between standing and walking. He'll likely happily cruise around furniture for a bit!

I find that different shops/brands the sizing is slightly different. My dd was measured as a 6.5 a while ago so I ordered her a size 7 winter boots from h&m and they were huge! she fits in size 6 both from asda and converse no problem. Dont know if thats due to clarks sizing or if the girl in the shop didn't measure them right

@inappropriateraspberry

Also, there can be quite a gap between standing and walking. He'll likely happily cruise around furniture for a bit!

This is very true I've found. DD has been standing and cruising since 9 months old. She's now 15 months, and it's only in the past week or so that she's confidently walking. I only got her some shoes because her nursery asked me to.

Definitely sounds like you need to size up, and factor in some growing room.

It's best to keep them in soft shoes at this stage OP, they have such soft mouldable bones that it's best for them to be as near as barefoot whilst little like this. It will also help spread his feet and toes better and be able to 'feel' the floor so that he finds his balance better.
Inch Blue and Bobux both do soft leather shoes which are ideal for cruising/learning to walk.

My daughter has just turned one and I got her her first pair of shoes last week. I think they are much better barefoot while they at trying to work out walking, it helps them feel the ground and learn to balance better. I've bought her shoes now because she is nearly walking and she's on her feet outdoors.

Leave him with no shoes for now I'd say.

It's worth getting a Clarks foot measure, then following the guide on their website. You'll need it eventually anyway.

For now, I've got some that are a bit like slippers and some that look a bit like ugg boots which are great for keeping little feet warm.

He doesn't need shoes if he's not walking. In fact, generally they recommend no shoes at all for the first 6 weeks of confident walking. Obviously this is more challenging if you'll be outside in the winter, but it's worth just minimising outdoor walking until he's ready for shoes to avoid putting him in shoes that aren't right for him. At that age especially, the sizing is very specific to the brand. I would buy a sizing gauge from wherever you plan to buy shoes from (Clarks, etc.) and then use that to measure his feet when it's time. Also be mindful of the width of the foot. Because a child who measures a 2.5 in shoe size might have wide feet, which means a normal width shoe in a 2.5 won't fit but a 3 or 3.5 might if they don't offer wide or narrow sizing.

Ditto though that walking may still be a loooong way off! My youngest was crawling from 5.5 months and definitely standing/cruising at 8 months. He didn't take his first proper steps until 17 months! There can definitely be a long gap between the two milestones. Even my older one who was standing at 8 months didn't walk independently until 15 months. Factor in an extra 6 weeks on top of that before they need shoes. He could very easily be a 4 by then.

Mine walked at 11 and 12 months respectively and needed shoes immediately as they wanted to walk everywhere in the middle of winter, just to give an opposing view!