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at what age (or when) should I be getting Amelia's feet measured for proper shoes?? she is still wearing pram shoes atm... she can't walk but can stand holding on... She is 1 a week on thursday. My mum said that proper shoes will help her walk. Is this true or do I just wait till she 'is' walking before buying some?
Okay having worked in a shoe shop and being trained by Clarks on how to measure childrens feet, its important that you DONT but your child in proper shoes yet, when tots are crawling their feet need to be able to flex, which solid soled shoes do not allow for. You should not get proper shoes untill they have been walking for 6 weeks, that is the recomended time. Also because proper shoes are a lot heavier so untill they can walk confidently you will hamper walking.
If in the mean time you want to put her shoes for going out, or crawling round in the garden etc you can buy what are called 'crusing shoes' they are light weight and have flexibility to the sole and a turned up front with added grip to stop them scuffing when on all fours and give them grip.
I agree with Cat. The best thing for babies feet is to walk barefoot as it helps them to develop their foot muscles and balance. Hard soled shoes can cause problems. However when they are walking there are going to be times when they need shoes to protect their feet. Seren only got shoes when she was walking confidently, and even now she only ever wears them when we are outside, the rest of the time she is either in her shooshoos (leather shoes with very soft soles which are fab for growing feet) or barefoot. I am a bit of a fanatacist when it comes to shoes, blame my mother who always made me wear Clarks shoes when I was younger and would never let me wear high heels.
Ella got cruisers at 8 months old as she was walking around the furniture and walking holding my hands, then when she started walking properly and she's gone up a size I got her proper walking shoes at 11 months. xxx
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