Shoes

We didn't do a soft sole shoe, just went straight for the first time shoes in Clarks, they have a great selection. Her shoes are first shoe, walking

The longer you can stay barefoot friendly with shoes the better really! Soft flexible soles are best for the development of their feet. Avoid trainers etc which are for adults and just scaled down for children. We get our shoes from Clark’s/ start rite. Get their feet measured and you can get on Vinted brand new or barely worn for 1/4 of the price! x

We've just moved from Clarks pre-walkers to Clarks first shoes last week x

When walking became her way of moving As at first she was still crawling a lot and walking a little

@Leanne might sound silly but what’s the difference between the Clarks first shoes and a normal shoe from a supermarket? X

Generally supermarket shoes for kids aren’t the right shape so doesn’t allow for them to property spread their toes out to balance and encourage good foot growth development. Clarks and some other good children’s brands allow for this, however I have found Next seem to have the right shape and do a wide fit so we have bought a couple from there before as well as Clarks

Just be wary of how they measure at Clarks. I went back 2 weeks later and he measured half a size smaller! This was by the same person as well x

I went to happy little souls for some barefoot trainers and sandals for my daughter, they weren't too pricey but are designed to give the same experience as being barefoot and are meant to be better for development of their feet

@Tia I think Rhiannon probably summed it up for me, but our LO also has very wide feet which Clarks cater for. I also know an orthopedist who said they would only recommend Clarks. They are obviously at the more expensive end though, so we may look at other options if our LO's feet start growing super quickly!

I highly recommend STONZ!!! They are the best and podiatrist recommended.

Also stonz works well for wide feet

The way it was explained to me at clarks when I wasn't sure what lo needed was that if they are still unsure and walking holding on to things should be in prewalkers once they are confident walkers and no longer seeking comfort in holding on to things should progress to first shoes. My lo didn't really do the holding on to things or first steps just one day started walking confidently so we went straight to first shoes and she seems to be happy in them.