Shoe recommendations?

[PenguinLover24]

Hi all! I have an 18 month old and I'm looking for shoes that support the ankles? She's been walking around furniture since she was 12 months, she took independent steps when she was 15 months and since then she refuses to walk unless she is holding on to something/ someone (even if it's just the top of one finger!) I think it's a mix between stubborness and a confidence thing and also that she's such a fast crawler why walk? 😂 She's been barefoot the entire time, socks when out in the pram and only recently pre walkers from Clarks for going to groups. We went to a farm the other day and she had wellies on and she walked the best she ever has and I'm not sure if it's because the wellies supported her ankles more? I have noticed that she is a bit wobbly and me as her mum is Hypermobile (and casually almost fall over nearly every time I stand up as my balance is awful!) so I'm unsure if she is the same! Any recommendations for good ankle support shoes would be very welcome! X

Well it won't be the wellies as wellies are notoriously lacking in arch and ankle support. Also it's important for her to find her balance points, so I'd stick with first walkers for now.

I did think this! So first walkers rather than pre walkers?

Physios often recommend shoes with ankle support for toddlers with hypermobility or hypotonia so they might be the right option for your daughter. I don’t have recommendations for good ones, we usually buy from Clark’s as they are one of the only local places that fit children’s shoes but I do find them hit and miss. The other place John Lewis refused to sell us shoes with ankle support for my daughter before she was walking despite it being a direct request from her physio so we don’t go back there.

Try an independent children's shoe shop if you can find one near you. They should have some wee ankle boots in different brands that will give a bit of ankle support to stabilise hyper mobile ankles whilst still having the flexible soles and zero heel that little ones need. Not cheap, though.

If there's nothing nearby, happy little soles online might be an option - they're usually happy to discuss what shoes might suit an individual child.