Mothers attack high heels for babies that turn infants into 'sex objects'

They come in pink satin, black, even leopard and zebra print - high heels designed for babies aged up to six months.

The U.S. manufacturer describes them as bringing 'fun, hilarity and glamour'.

But horrified mothers see them as a new low in the campaign to sexualise infants not old enough to know what is happening to them.

'Ludicrous': A publicity shot for the Heelarious range of shoes for young babies



Priced at £19.99, the Heelarious range are being sold in Britain by 36-year-old Julia Taylor, from Bexley, Kent, who has struck an exclusive deal with the makers.

Mrs Taylor, whose daughter Bethany is 14 months old, discovered the shoes through friends who had spotted the website and thought they were 'fun'.

She admitted the shoes were very 'American' but feels there is a market in this country and is selling them through her website.

Its blurb reads: 'Your little one will look fabulous in these soft crib shoes designed to look like high heels!



'Each pair of Heelarious heels is packaged in a darling purse-shaped gift box, complete with a rhinestone closure.'

Mrs Taylor has already exhibited the collection at a London baby show but admits the feedback was 'mixed'.



She added: 'There is the odd negative comment from mums who think the shoes are dangerous.



'Most change their mind though when they see that the heels aren't solid but soft and perfectly comfortable.

'Then there are the people who say heels aren't for babies but, at the end of the day, they're just meant to be a bit of fun - a pretty finish to a party dress.

'If you think about it - some mums think it's pretty to get their baby's ears pierced and that can be painful.



'These shoes are nothing like that - they're completely soft, comfortable and safe.'

Party wear: The leopard print and pink vinyl high shoes for babies sell for £19.99



Mrs Taylor added: 'People who buy the heels are perfectly normal mums who are either interested in fashion or just recognise how fun the shoes are.'

Michele Elliot, founder of the children's charity Kidscape, said the heels were ludicrous. 'High heels are meant to be sexy, and are definitely for adults not children.

'They are not cute or cuddly. It is absolutely disgusting to market them for babies. Parents should let babies be babies.



'It's completely ludicrous for any parent to consider buying them for their children.'

Katharine Fey, 32, mother of an eight-month-old baby, said: 'These shoes are completely inappropriate and unnecessary.

'Babies have very soft bones at that age and their feet are still growing. They shouldn't be wearing shoes anyway, let alone something this overtly sexual.'

Claire Aldwood, 35, and a mother of two, says the shoes make sexual objects of children.

'They're making them look like little women - and loose little women at that. Why do these designers want our children to grow up so quickly?

'Not only are the heels distasteful - and no good for a child trying to pull themselves up or begin to toddle - but pink PVC and leopard print are not appropriate fabrics for a baby. All that matters at that age is that they're warm and loved.'