Lara Thomas
and Finn, our Product Tester says
 "A
baby who has just learned to walk takes around 176 steps a minute and
since their feet contain no fully formed bones at all, it's essential
to kit them out with shoes that offer maximum comfort and support."
Feet pass through several stages of development
and it can take up to 18 years before the cartilage in the feet fully
harden into the 26 bones that make up an adults foot. Ill-fitting shoes,
tight socks and sleepsuits can push your child's feet out of shape and
any damage will be evident in their adult foot. To avoid this, let them
walk barefoot as much as possible and look for a good shoe-fitting service
that offers the best quality footwear throughout all stages of your child's
development.
In a nutshell, first shoes are designed to:
- Offer support & protection without restricting natural growth
- Be lightweight, flexible & comfortable
- Provide a perfect fit
- Have supple soles to aid walking development
- Leave plenty of room for movement
What do I need
to know?
 To
ensure you choose the right shoes for your baby, look for a store that
provides fully trained fitting experts and a detailed and thorough service.
Clarks stores are widely available throughout the UK, but there are many
other great fitting-services available including Russell & Bromley, John
Lewis, Buckle My Shoe and Start-rite.
 Which
type of shoes you buy depends entirely on your child's stage of walking.
If your baby has started toddling around the furniture, they may be best
suited to a 'cruising' pair of shoes which tend to have softer soles and
greater flexibility to aid early walking. More confident walkers will
be ready for their 'first shoes' which have stronger soles and fully adjustable
fastenings for an ultra-comfy fit.
If you're not sure which style is best, the fitting advisor
will monitor their walking in-store and advise on the correct style of
shoe for their current stage of development.
 It's
also important to let your child walk around as much as possible in the
store so you can check that they provide a good fit. As Start-rite Fitting
Services Manager, Charles Boyce advises: 'Never compromise on fit, because
a toddler's nerve endings are not developed yet and they cannot always
tell you if their shoes are uncomfortable.'
Meet
our panel of parents
 Clarks
have been making shoes for 150 years, so we thought it would be rude not
to try out their reputable service! We sent North London mums Louise,
Gaby and Sue with their 16 month old babies to test the fitting service
at Clarks in Brent Cross. Jessica and Georgia enjoyed comparing shoes
and trying out the various styles whereas Jacob was more concerned with
the free lego collection! To find out how they got on, click on the parent
panel link below.
Where to next:
Useful websites
| 
