Infant shoes

[Mamabear04]

Do you think it's important to have proper shoes once they have started walking? Do you buy good brands ie clarks? Which brands do you think are good?

I would wait until they stop scrunching their toes when walking before getting shoes. I would go and get their feet measured before buying shoes. I would avoid buying pre loved shoes as the child before would have worn the shoes in differently to how your child walks. In regards to brands it is up to you. I brought startrite but have also brought clarks

We've always bought Clarks for their main shoes and school shoes and then supermarket wellies,sandles etc. Now they're a it bigger (6&7)I also get them walking shoes from Mountain Warehouse.

You only really need shoes once they’re walking lots outside - inside the house it’s better for them to walk barefoot because it helps them to learn how to walk properly with their feet in the correct position, and to take proper steps.

Once they’re walking confidently and are walking outside you can get shoes. Definitely get them fitted properly in a shop.

I think it's important that they fit well and have flexibility in the soles. You can buy foot measurers from Clarks and start rite (but bear in mind that the sizing varies between brands).

We recently bought these - they're ridiculously expensive though.

www.clarks.co.uk/c/Roamer-Craft-Toddler/p/26142286?cm_mmc=PPC_SHOP_SMART_GOOGLE--G_UK_PS_dA_SHOP_SMART_Babies_Shoes--Smart+-+Babies+Shoes-_-PLA&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-NaJBhDsARIsAAja6dM1VLGdDx_CRIEh6QesGo3AsERq7mgr3dh2VwaDXlyw5VTX5JDrqKIaAiG4EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

When mine first started walking, they were
barefoot indoors. For when we were out, I bought Daisy Root (soft leather) shoes.
Only when they were confident walkers I got their feet measured and shoes fitted.

I wouldn't buy proper shoes until they are wanting to walk outside for reasonable periods of time. Until then soft shoes - they used to be called pram shoes when mine were little - are fine. Barefoot, or socks with grippers if its colder are fine indoors.
I don't think Clarks are good shoes. That said, it's a long time since I was looking at shoes for young children so I guess they may have improved, but when mine were at this stage I found Clarks to be clunky shoes made from stiff leather with very inflexible shoes. I've always bought European brands like Geoxx, Ricosta, Elefanten etc. They seem to be much better made, with nice, soft materials and, in my personal opinion, they look nicer too. I still buy Geoxx or Ricosta for my teenage son's school shoes as even at those sizes they seem lighter and more flexible than many other brands.

I read somewhere that they should be confidently walking around for about 6 weeks before proper shoes. You can buy 'pre-walkers' that are really soft with no support if you want something.

Tbh though (and if you're like me), shoes are only really worn outside. Id wait until your little one is confidently walking enough to be walking outside.

In answer to your second question, yes I always buy good quality shoes. Their feet need to be measured properly and shoes fitted accordingly. Bones are so soft at a young age and shoes need to be measured properly to avoid any damage. I go to Clarkes.