Independent Shoe Shops - Shoe fitting - hoorah! :) and oh :(

[hockeypuck]

Took DD and DS to the only independent shoe store left in the area yesterday.

DD has very narrow feet with a high instep and Clarkes and even most Start-Rite dont fit.

Lovely sop, we were the only people there, lady measured her feet and brought over about 6 pairs to start us off, all different manufacturers, continental ones and start-rite, found a choice (choice!!! never had that before with her shoes) of 2 pairs that fitted well. DD chose her favourite.

Totally happy, very good shop. (If anyone is in South Wales, then go to Ogam Igam in Penarth) New school shoes sorted in July, hoorah!

BUT, when she measured DS's feet, she said she doesn't think he'll be able to easily get shoes at all. He is 15 months and has hypermobility in his joints so needs some shoes with ankle support in order to teach him to cruise. He is a C width in a 2 1/2 to 3 size.

Does anyone have any experience of this? What do you recommend?

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No experience of this but my DSs first shoes were little boots that came in size 18 (3 i think)...they were high enought o support ankle and had a soft sole they were made by Elefanten (italian i think). Might be suitable.

Is DS mobile? 2 1/2 is quite a small size for proper shoes, but you do mention cruisers.

Ricosta do infant boots under their Pepino range , in narrow width too (Schmal), dd had a pair as her first shoes . Elefanten is no more sadly , replaced by UMI which just aren't the same. Otherwise maybe you'll need some prescribed specialist made ones (perhaps try posting under the Special Needs topic for advice).

Love independent shops, have already booked our Back to School fitting appointment

bozza - no DS is a bottom shuffler and beginning to pull himself up on one foot and one knee. He has hypermobility so his joints are too wobbly. His physio thinks he'll benefit from walking boots before he can cruise to give his ankles some stability. In normal children obviously it's best they are bare foot until walking outside regularly, but obviously in his case he needs some structure and support for his ankles.

LIZS - will try the SN topic group - thanks for that

In that case definitely agree with liz regarding the special needs topic. Good luck