FIRST SHOES QUESTIONS
Barefoot is best for babies who are crawling and in the early stages of learning to walk, so don't be tempted to get shoes too early. Little feet are very delicate, and toes need room to wiggle to allow them to balance and develop naturally. However, to keep feet warm when your child is outside and to protect toes against bumps and scrapes from hard floors, fitted pre-walkers are a good option. They allow plenty of room for feet to grow, while providing protection and therefore confidence.
First shoes should be considered once a child has been walking unaided for around 4–6 weeks, or when they are walking more than crawling. This can be anytime between 9–18 months. Never push your child to walk if they are not ready.
When your child is ready for their first proper shoes, our expert team at W.J. French & Son in Southampton are here to help. We've been professionally fitting babies' and toddlers' first shoes for generations, and we stock a carefully chosen range from trusted brands including Start-Rite, Ricosta and Bobux all fitted by our trained staff to ensure the perfect fit for your little one's individual foot shape and width.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET MY CHILD'S SHOES CHECKED?
0–3 years old – A child can grow, on average, three sizes in their first year, so their feet should be checked every 6–8 weeks, as children’s feet grow erratically and sometimes very quickly at this age.
Ages 3–5 – A child will normally grow two sizes a year between the ages of 2 and 5, so come and see us every 8–10 weeks.
School-aged children grow, on average, about one size a year, but watch out for growth spurts — girls between the ages of 7 and 12, and boys between 10 and 14.
Most girls’ feet stop growing around the age of 14 and boys’ around 16. However, every child is different, so it’s important to get their shoes checked and feet measured regularly by trained fitters.
We will never sell you a pair of shoes if your child hasn’t grown and doesn’t need them.
WHY ARE PROPERLEY FITTED SHOES SO IMPORTANT
Children's feet tend to grow rapidly in the first 4 years of life, but can take up to 18 years for the foot's bones muscles and ligaments to harden into adult form. Properly fitted shoes play a vital role in helping to safeguard the healthy development of your child's feet
When your child is very young the bones in their feet are made of soft spongy cartilage which can be pushed out of alignment by shoes ( and even sleepsuits and socks) which don't fit properly.
The nerve endings in babies' feet also take time to develop, so your child may not be able to let you know if their feet are sore or squashed by theirs shoes.
As best, poorly fitted shoes won't wear as well, so never settle for anything less than a perfect fit. It is essential that children's shoes are always fitted by an experienced shoe fitter.
W. J. French & Son is a multi-award-winning footwear retailer in Southampton, which has been run by the same family for over 200 years.
Our trained shoe fitters have, on average, 20 years of shoe-fitting experience and are passionate about finding the correct fit and style of shoe for your child, giving you a stress-free personal shopping experience.
We offer a large selection of brands, as you will often find your child walks better in a particular one.
We aim to provide excellent customer service.
We take a Polaroid photo of your child in their first shoes to mark this big milestone.
