Toddler walking on tiptoes?

Heather - posted on 10/20/2011

My daughter is now 3 and of course still walking on her toes...She seemed to have stop for a bit and then I put her in ballet and she has started all over again...I spoke with her teacher and she said that when she was a little girl used to walk on her toes all the time too cos she didn't want to get her feet dirty..So knowing this, I started observing my daughter (cos she is a little clean freak) and noticed that she was only walking on her toes when barefoot......Wanted to share cos I never would have thought of that myself.....

Heather - posted on 10/20/2011

Louise, the suggestion of wearing shoes all day is a wonderful idea. However, my daughters feet were too chunky for shoes...She is now 3 and it is just recently that I can put shoes on her.....p.s. she is still walking on her toes.

Tricia - posted on 10/19/2011

In my family walking on your toes is hereditary. Both of my children walk on their toes. It can cause problems with certain muscles shortening up but that only happens if the kids walk on their toes for long periods of time. Knowing our family history about age 4 I put my daughter in high top shoes. That forced her to not walk on her toes as much and helped stretch some of muscles. After about a year she was walking flat footed and on her toes. As long as she walks part of the time flat footed and is stretching out the muscles I don't mind.

Heather - posted on 10/17/2011

When my 3 year old first started wearing shoes, I had a hard time cos her feet were too fat and I couldn't put shoes on her.....I could only put shoes with an open top on her....Great in the summer, not so much in the winter.....My daughter has always walked on her toes. I tried getting her to cut the habit but it started again once she took ballet.....Is there a connection with her having had fat feet and walking on her toes?

Kimberly - posted on 04/21/2010

If your child walks on their tiptoes all the time it might be worth wile to have a doctor look at it. Although quite uncommon I do know that sometimes that is a sign that the tendons/ligiments are tight.

Michaela - posted on 04/21/2010

I am in nursing school, and I believe it is considered normal for toddlers to be walking on their toes until they're are about 3-4 years old. If she continues to do it after she turns 3 or so I would consult with your pediatrician. Or if you believe it is interfering with her gross motor skills. Hope that helps.

Jeannette - posted on 04/21/2010

Have you talk to your MD about your toddler walking on her toes. Has she reached all of the other milestones?

Tammy J - posted on 04/21/2010

My daughter is almost 2 1/2 and is occasionally walking around on her toes. We are thinking about getting her into Ballet or gymnastics.

Chantelle - posted on 04/18/2010

My son is 20 months and he does it alot. I don't think you have anything to worry about when your toddler is walking on her toes.

Danielle - posted on 04/11/2010

Hi erin, my son is 4 now and he has always walked on his tiptoes and still does it sometimes. But he walks perfectly now mostly so i wouldn;t worry yet about your toddler walking on her toes x

Katerina - posted on 04/11/2010

I have the same problem... she is now 20 months and tip toeing... is it normal for my toddler to be walking on her tiptoes?

Amber - posted on 04/10/2010

My kids, who are 20, 17, 8,7,2 and 1, all walked on their toes. My two year old spends the better part of his day prancing around. My one year old however, has mild Cerebral Palsy, and when he would not stand flat, I was concerned. His physical therapist informed me that it's not so much if they walk on their toes sometimes, but if they can stand on a flat foot, and if they ever do, or if it's always toe walking. My baby who just turned one, had so many issues. Hyperreflexive with spacticity at five months. Those things have disappeared! He started walking at eleven months (he is four weeks early), and can literally 'jump' with both feet off the ground! Anyway,,, what I am saying is, if they toe walk for fun, that's totally ok. If they cannot stand flat for a good amount of time, or at all, that makes it a problem. If they can't stand flat, it means their achilles tendon is too short, that the bones may have grown faster than the muscle, and it's tight, causing them to go up on their toes. If this seems to be the case, ask your doctor. ;) I hope this helped, but probably I just went on a rant. ;) Thanks for listening.

Amber

Jatana - posted on 04/09/2010

My 18 month old son has walked on his tip toes ever since he has started walking and he even runs on his tip toes. I don't think you have anything to worry about when your toddler is walking on her toes, she should grow out of it

Maria - posted on 04/09/2010

Here's a twist...I am a mother of 3 boys, ages 11, 10 and 4 and all of them walked on their tiptoes for a good part of their "toddler-hoods" and guess what?? I am 44 and still catch myself walking on my tiptoes when I am lost in thought or not fully awake!! My dad still does it from time to time and he's in his 80s...it is a purely unconscious act and yes, shoes do make it harder to perform this little act! I wouldn't worry about it too much she will probably outgrow it very soon!

Ashley - posted on 04/09/2010

Hi!! My niece, who is 4 started doing this when she was 2. My sister didn't worry about it, but she was doing it more and more. She asked the doctor about it, and he told her that it should stop by 3 years old and if it doesn't, it could be permanent. She is now 4, and does walk on her toes most of the time. The doctor is concerned and may have to do some physical therapy. Now my son, who is 18 months, is starting to do it and it has got me worried!!

JERIKA - posted on 04/09/2010

I'VE RECENTLY NOTICED THAT MY DAUGHTER IS DOING THE SAME THING. SHE TOO IS 21 MONTHS AND I WAS WONDERING IF ITS A CONCERN.

Meghan - posted on 04/09/2010

my son is the same age and he did it alot when he first started walking, but i thought maybe the boucer was to blame since he was in it so much. he still does it here and there but i just made a game of it and said tip toe be very quiet. you know toddlers they get bored quick so he has stopped significantly. Good work!

Colleen - posted on 04/08/2010

My 2 1/2 yr did this since probably 12 months, particularly when she ran.She hated shoes (unless they are my heels) and only wears them to play outside. She now walks fine, foot flat on ground. My cousin commented that both her girls did this when they were toddlers as well, but out grew it.

Ebony - posted on 04/08/2010

We buy Stride Rite shoes for our daughter and they seem to fit better and be more comfy for her. Sandals don't seem to matter as much but the others do.

Stefie - posted on 04/08/2010

My 19 month old started doing this about a month ago. I have found research that suggests it is not only normal, but very healthy part of development. They are developing different muscles, becoming more aware of their bodies, and it is good old play.
Most modern American studies support the idea of having your kid in shoes more to adjsut their feet to the shoes. However, there are other studies that suggest being barefoot more will make the child a better runner and have less foot issues. Of course it is dangerous to walk around barefoot, but softer soled shoes do have advantages.

Louise - posted on 04/08/2010

My daughter does this now and again and I have noticed that she turns her ankel in on her left side as well. This I have been told is because the ligaments in the legs are still weak and she will grow out of it. It was also recomended that she wore her shoes for a short time every day in the house to give her foot and calves the support that they needed. So far so good it seems to have done the trick

Candance - posted on 04/07/2010

I have a 18mos old and walks on her tip toes a few times a day I don't understand it. I had once read that it may become a concern if it conts. but I am no doctor. Ask your doc and let Me know too. Hope it doesn't mess up their development or is it just them playing around w/ their feet

Ebony - posted on 04/07/2010

My toddler is walking on tiptoes too. She is 22 months old.

Shawn - posted on 04/07/2010

My son did this for a while at about the age of 2-1/2. He is now 3 and stopped doing it except for once in a while.

Michaela - posted on 04/21/2010

I am in nursing school, and I believe it is considered normal for toddlers to be walking on their toes until they're are about 3-4 years old. If she continues to do it after she turns 3 or so I would consult with your pediatrician. Or if you believe it is interfering with her gross motor skills. Hope that helps.

Jeannette - posted on 04/21/2010

Have you talk to your MD about your toddler walking on her toes. Has she reached all of the other milestones?

Chantelle - posted on 04/18/2010

My son is 20 months and he does it alot. I don't think you have anything to worry about when your toddler is walking on her toes.

Danielle - posted on 04/11/2010

Hi erin, my son is 4 now and he has always walked on his tiptoes and still does it sometimes. But he walks perfectly now mostly so i wouldn;t worry yet about your toddler walking on her toes x

Katerina - posted on 04/11/2010

I have the same problem... she is now 20 months and tip toeing... is it normal for my toddler to be walking on her tiptoes?

Jatana - posted on 04/09/2010

My 18 month old son has walked on his tip toes ever since he has started walking and he even runs on his tip toes. I don't think you have anything to worry about when your toddler is walking on her toes, she should grow out of it

Ebony - posted on 04/07/2010

My toddler is walking on tiptoes too. She is 22 months old.