shoes for babies - advice pls?

[Saila]

i have an 11 month old who's been cruising for a few months now

is this the time to get shoes?

if so, where's the best place to get their feet measured that doesnt' involve going into town (west end)

[snowboarder]

I got my little cruiser his first shoes at about 10m just after he took his first steps. Got them from Biff in the village (little start rite ones). Since then have sampled John Barnett on Lordship Lane for Clarks and Kickers and the amazing can't remember name shop in Crystal Palace - on Westow Street - maybe Merlins? They have some more unusual spanish brands and very good.

Not that I'm into shoes, or anything like that, you understand...

[Mook]

Hi Saila, if your little on is quite steady on his feet (not doing elvis hips when standing holding on to couch/baby walker) then yes I reckon he is ready. I got little Mook his shoes from Clarkes and I found them to be brilliant - gave us a "first shoes" photo. That shop in Crystal Palace is called Merlin Shoes and it is close to the Sainsburys. Also i think Biff in Dulwich Village does cruisers.

Good luck

[snowboarder]

Just also to say - I know there's all kinds of advice about exactly when in development terms, you should buy shoes, but frankly at this time of year if they are going to the playground and wanting to stand and hold onto things you need to protect their feet. I reckon anyway!!

[alieh]

We always end up at John Barnett on Lordship Lane, and have gotten Clarks each time because they seem to be the only brand that do different widths and my son has very "strong" (read fat) feet. We got him a pair of "cruisers" at a similar age - they are just like regular shoes but with a much softer sole. They would stand up to some walking outside, but not loads of stamping in puddles or snow.

[Saila]

great! i'll nip down tm on my day off - thnx for the advice

[BellendenBear]

There's a Clarke's factory shop on Rye Lane. Saves at least ?10 each time you need to get new shoes.

[GinaG3]

My daughters Clarks cruisers were brilliant. She really learnt to keep steady and move up to 'big girl shoes'. They were used quite a lot as she loved running round inside with them on (of course!) and they are still in really good nick in her baby box. You do get your moneys worth with Clarks, although they can be quite expensive.

[Saila]

so.. what's the difference btw cruisers and normal shoes?

i went to clarks today and bought a pair :)

here's what happened

feet measured - size 4 width G and i bought a pair the size up too, for a few month's time (working-mum-time-saving-thought)

I didn't try them on (stupidly) cos it's a battle getting him changed let alone trying on new shoes.

Got home - couldn't get them on his feet ... grr

are cruisers different? are they softer? easier to put on?

[Mook]

Saila, cruisers are softer, provide more cushioning, but aren't ideal for outside, but are great for whilst babies are learning to walk, and falling over a lot.

Almost all babies curl their feet when they first have shoes on, if you can put the shoes on you baby's foot and then stand them up so they take the weight and they should flatten their feet out inside the shoe, making it easier to fasten the shoe.

Would also recommend you get their feet measured every 6-8 weeks as they can grow quite quickly, I left little Mook 2.5 mths and he had grown a whole shoe size.

Hope this has been of some help

[Saila]

thanks mook - really helpful

i hope i've not screwed up and bought normal shoes too early...

[ljs]

Cruisers tend to have amore flexible sole to them. I think the softer shoes are much easier for them to walk in for their first pair of shoes.

See how he gets on with wearing them inside for a while, then maybe you could always take them back if he's struggling.

I always got o Merlin shoes in Crystal palace as they have a much better choice for "first shoes"... Also, they have lovely

European makes which are IMO a little nicer than the Clarks..