How quickly do a 1-yr-olds feet grow? (should I buy smaller wellies?)

[Elphaba]

It's my son's 1st birthday today happydance and one of our friends bought him a pair of Next wellies. She said to let her know ASAP if they are the wrong size as she has them on account and needs to make the switch soon if they are wrong.

Now the wellies are a size 5 and are definitely too big. But I guess he's not going to be getting real wear out of them until the winter anyway. The other thing is he's actually not yet walking. This means a) I don't know how soon he will be able to make use of the wellies - he may walk next week or not until March! - and b) I have not yet needed to have him measured for shoes so don't know his current shoe size. From measuring the length of his feet and using online charts, they seem to be around 3.5 or 4.

Should I stick with the 5s and hope they will fit late winter - or will his feet not grow that much? Or get my friend to switch them for a 4 and hope he walks in time for them to still fit?

 

[sun]

My LO didn't wear rain boots until just this past spring at 17 months and he was a size 5. Not that that means anything though! lol
I found that my son's feet don't grow gradually in a consistent way - they have spurts just like the rest of him. He was in size 5 for months (4-5 months at least) but in size 4 for less than a month! Now he is just in a size 6 but growing out of them already!

Since your LO isn't walking yet, I would probably go with the size 5s. If he starts walking (and can walk in rain boots right away!) then you can always pick up a smaller size. Otherwise you know the 5s will fit him eventually! xx

 

[Elphaba]

True! I guess I was thinking in terms of them being more useful in winter but of course he could wear them any time it rains, not just winter!

 

[sun]

Oh I wasn't looking at where you live! Rain boots are just a spring/fall thing here. But if he's a 3.5-4 now, I would bet the 5s will fit before winter is over! x

 

[Elphaba]

Thanks! I was thinking in terms of snow in winter (which is generally the only time I wear mine) but yes, we can get heavy rain all year round in the UK. Plus I guess if we were going for a walk anywhere muddy, they would save his shoes.

 

[Mrs Dot]

Could you go and have his feet measured to get a better idea hun? I'd say go bigger - they'll come in at some point even if it's not winter

 

[Elphaba]

Thanks! Think I will keep the 5s - like you say, they will come in useful at some point. If he's walking confidently before they fit, I can buy him a pair of 4s myself and keep the 5s for when they fit.

 

[ellie27]

I would take them back as I am very fussy with footwear - ok, not fussy, I just mean I find it very difficult to get good fitting shoes/boots for LO.

She has very wide feet and I cant get her feet into any wellies!! So I would be convinced they would go to waste..... your LO might never get their feet into them!

 

[Minty28]

I bought some wellies for my son for his 1st birthday and he has worn them loads. Trips to the woods, rainy days or just for throwing on for playing in the garden. I got them a size bigger on purpose so they'd last and got him some nice thick welly socks to wear with them. His feet are starting to get a little bit big for them now but they still fit ok with just a normal pair of socks.

I'd keep them xxx

 

[hattiehippo]

Personally I'd get them swapped for a 4 cos wellies always come up really big. I bought Tom some size 4s nearly a year ago and they actually fit him now although he's a 5 according to clarks. The 5s I've bought for this winter will be fine with very thick socks but are too big.

Or go and get your LO measured so you have a better idea of his actual size.

 

[Elphaba]

Thanks. Think I will keep the 5s as hopefully they should fit him some point next year. I'll get him measured once he's walking and then if he needs a 4 I will buy him a different pair to wear first knowing he will have these to grow into.

Would hate to get my friend to go to the effort of swapping them only for Xavier to end up being a late walker and not getting any use out of 4s.

I guess there's a risk either way of him not getting much wear out of them but there always is with clothes/shoes isn't there.