If there is one piece of parenting advice that I could give you, it’s about the importance of quality, fitted children’s footwear. I firmly believe that kid’s shoes are one thing that you should not scrimp on! Their little feet are constantly developing and growing in those first few years, so it is important that they have comfortable shoes that fit them properly.
When Aidan was starting to toddle about, I ordered him his first pair of proper shoes straightaway. It’s best for babies and toddlers to remain barefoot when they’re starting to walk, but obviously when out and about that’s a bit difficult, so kid’s shoes were a must! I’ve continued to buy him quality shoes ever since – I measure his feet every few months so he always has the correct size.
Aidan has had a growth spurt (no surprise there – at 3.5 he is constantly growing), which meant yet another new pair of shoes! He is a kid that is constantly on the go no matter where we are – at preschool, days out on the weekend, etc. – he gets a lot of steps in every day. So it’s vital that his shoes fit properly and are comfortable and easy for him to walk in. The Enigma Shoes from Start Rite are a firm staple in his day to day wardrobe. Made from soft leather that moulds to the shape of the foot, and a lightweight and flexible sole, they are easy for him to move in while also aiding in healthy foot development. They also have velcro fastening, which is perfect for little fingers (though he still makes mummy put them on!).
It is so important to make sure that kid’s shoes fit properly. This can be hard sometimes, especially when so much of what we purchase is online. If you don’t live near a Start Rite, they have a super handy online sizing tool that is so easy to use. You simply print it out, measure you child’s foot and input the measurements online and it calculates your child’s perfect shoe size and width.
In addition to great kid’s shoes, Start Rite also makes great shoes for pre-walkers! I know what you’re thinking…”babies don’t need shoes”. Well, technically, no, but there’s no harm starting them off young! These Fable pram shoes that I have for Ewan are not only gorgeous, but also great for little feet. They feature a breathable, lightweight suede sole which offer barefoot comfort…so just “one step” above being barefoot.
The boys have been wearing their Start Rite shoes nonstop, and I love them. Start Rite has put so much research and rigorous testing into their kid’s shoes, which gives me comfort as a mum. They put just as much thought into our children’s feet as we do. It makes me feel great knowing that their feet are protected and can develop normally, thanks to shoes that are literally backed by years and years of research and innovation. It’s definitely feels like a mum win!
