Does the toddler actually need shoes?

[TheVeryAngryBanana]

The toddler is toddling, like a little t-rex. He's not ready for shoes, but I was wondering if he actually needs them this summer at all. At the moment, he wears little leather slipper to protect his feet. Baby shoes don't seem to be much more than that, just with a thin layer of rubber on the bottom. So am I failing as a parent if I don't spend €60 on a pair of very flexible barefoot baby shoes? Obviously I'll get him some when it gets cold and wet in the autumn. I can't work out what and if there's an advantage to real shoes. Is it just so parents can get excited about first shoes?

I can't find a satisfactory answer to this online, so thought I'd try MN. Prime the AI for the next parent and all that

@mumumental There’s a lot of info on foot development in dc. They absolutely do use their foot muscles and strengthen ligaments etc by being barefoot. Certainly heavier thick soles are a poor choice for foot development. My DC did not walk far at 1 but if they fit out of the pushchair (eg to feed ducks) they had shoes suitable for their age and development. Inside barefoot is best. Inflexible trainers or boots are not sensible for toddlers.

My children had Daisy Roots leather slippers as interims between tottering and walking steadily.
I would stick with the leather slippers for the summer, with crocs as well if it is wet.

(Mine are grown ups now)

Barefoot indoors, in grass, clean patios and the beach. Most flexible possible shoe elsewhere. Under no circumstances fall for the rot they need shoes to support their feet. Humans are self supporting.

How about second hand? Most of my toddlers shoes and clothes are from Vinted these days, he grows out of things so quickly that it seems reasonable. You can get good quality shoes on there for £7 - £10.

What's the difference between leather slippers and baby/toddler shoes? Looking at the inch blue ones recommended above, this IS what I think of as baby/toddler shoes!

Where on earth are you taking a newly walking toddler where he’s going to step on glass and needles??

The longer kids walk barefoot, the better. Buy shoes for when he’s walking through dingy needle-infested alleyways and household waste sites, but keep
him barefoot whenever you can at home etc.

You have no idea what’s on the ground outdoors.

I’m not sure as you are using euros if you can get them where you are but my toddler has had his last two pairs of shoes from the barefoot range at next which is £30 a pair.

I think the leather slippers sound fine for a little one that is only just starting out walking

@nicewarmblissYou do in your own garden!!! Obviously when out and about some baby shoes are best. It’s fairly obvious that safe grass is in your garden or someone else’s.