Toe Walking

It sounds totally normal. Both of my kids did it. My son is 4 and ocassionally does it still. It drives my husband nuts since he looks funny, but just like you said it seems like when he is excited. It is probablly just learning something new. It is not uncommon at all!

My 2 1/2 year old daughter walks on her toes all the time when she does not wear shoes and socks. And it is only at home that she does it. I have never seen her do it anywhere else. I think it is just a stage. I have seen lots of girls and sometimes boys do that. More girls though.. I think they are just getting the feet ready for when they wear heels later in life!!!! he he

My daughter is 2 1/2 yrs. old and she walks on her toes every once in a while also. I wouldn't worry about it...she's just experiencing with balance. She will eventually grow out of it. I think it's cute how my daughter walks on her toes, but it's usually for a few minutes and then she walks normal.

I am a pediatric PT. If she is otherwise developing normally, and the toe walking just started and she's not tripping or twisting her little ankles, probably no need to worry. Just keep an eye on it and periodically make sure she has good motion in her ankles (for pulling the toes/forefoot back/up) so her heel cords don't get tight. A good sign is if she can squat down to pick up toys and her heels stay on the ground (adults usually can't do this anymore! but toddlers can!) Hope that helps.

my daughter did that around 1 1/2 - 2 years old. we later discovered that her shoes were too small. maybe the same case with you daughter. good luck.

My son did the same thing when he was about your daugher's age. He eventually out grew it with out problems. I did try to cue him when he was doing it so I would say "Down on your feet". It seemed to make him more aware. I wouldn't worry.

I wouldn't worry about that at all. I think it's very common. I remember my youngest doing that and wondering if she was going to walk like that forever! She'll be 6 in september and I can't even remember when I last saw her walk that way.

My son used to be toe walker. He has no physical problems. I would suggest not to worry.

A friend of mines little girl walked on her tippy-toes forever (it seemed like). She eventually grew out of it. Don't worry =)

One of our neighbor girls, (who is 4+) walks on her tippy toes EVERYWHERE she goes and has for years. The mom says she doesn't have anything wrong with her feet, it's just comfortable that way. Not sure if there is a long-lasting effect...other than super strong calf muscles.

Like most of the other Moms said it is probally normal ~ Just wanted to add that if you are seeing any other odd behaviors you may want to have it looked into.

My Daughter went through a toe walking phase, but she also had some other issues. She is very sensative to the feel of clothing. She wont wear jeans, courdaroy, most things with large seems on the inside. We noticed her toe walking happened mostly on hard surfaces, the hard wood floor for example. She was already being evaluated by an Occupational Therapist ~ We think her toe walking was to avoid the feel of the floor.

Just wanted to put that out there to keep in the back of your mind if there may be other issues.

My daughter is 18 months and does the same exact thing! She really does it when people are watching to be cute! Don't worry about it! She's just exploring new ways to walk!

My daughter walked on her toes for years! She could actually curl her toes under and walk on the "top" of her toes! Ouch! I don't know why she did this...she just did. She's nearly 14 now, a runner, and has had no problems because of her years of "toe walking". I would assume that as long as your daughter has full range of motion in her ankles and can fully flex her foot, she should be fine.

J. - My daughter did this as well. We used to laugh at how defined her calf muscles were at that age. She also walked very early (8 months). For us it was just a phase that she did for a few months, as she has always walked and ran without any problems and now at age 7-1/2 she is just fine. I would give it a little time before getting too concerned especially if she does not do it all the time.

my son just turned two and still walks on his toes...shoes on or not...

I don't think you should be worried, she is still finding her balance, once she figures out she can use her whole foot...she'll be fine

J., my son is 17 months old and at times he walks on his toes but its totally normal cause he doesnt do it all the time. If your daughter did it all the time then it would be a concern but if its just for a short time once in awhile and to be cute or when she is excited I wouldnt be concerned. It sounds like she is doing very well for her age! L.

be absolutely sure to talk to the dr. about this at her 18 mo well child visit. Both of my nephews do this walking and it is because of their calf muscles. The 1st grader may even have to have surgery. Both boys CAN walk on their flat feet, but subcons. they prefer to walk on toes.

If you take a look at the potential reasoning by neurologic assessments, there could be a potential hyperexciteability of the extensor muscles stemming from the posterior section of the brainstem/upper sinal cord. Why children would 'grow out of it' would simply by by means of growing since the skull and verterbra start enlarging at a greater pace than the brain/spinal cord creating essentailly more space. As an infant, the brainstem actually will extend down to the second verterbra (C2) and any interference in the upper cervical area will affect the nerve function of the body which then will make your child adapt to the misalignment pattern. I am not saying this will have a great impact on the childs short-term growth and development but I make sure that my children are taken care of by being free of nerve interference. My husband and I are upper cervical specialist and we take great care in makign sure all the kids in our practice are functioning as balanced as possible. We see them having greater ability for their immune system to operate with less need for any other intervention.
To sum it up, it may be a 'normal' adaptation, but could be linked with long-term restrcited development. Only time will say. If you need a referral, let me know.
Blessings,
C.

My daughter is(was) the same way, she is almost 20 months now. My daughter was an early walker too and then about 14 months she started the tip toeing. I think it is a phase because now at 20 months she hardly does it; when she dances she does it occasionally and if she is trying to see something really high up she walks around awhile like that.

I am only 5'3" so I am always on my tip toes reaching for a book on a high shelf or when cooking half the items I need are just out of my reach so I stand on tippy toe to get them. I think my daughter likes to imitate me so when I do it more then likely she will do it.

I don't think you need to worry about it. More then likely she will out grow it or only do it in situations that call for it (like reaching for something high up or dancing). At the 2 year check up if she is still doing it all the time (or if it worrying you) ask your pediatrician about it. They can give you more insight about if it is no biggy or when she might out grow it or on the slight chance you might need to do something.

I have a 19 month old that is very bowlegged like his father. I thought this was related to his toe walking - somehow. It seemed like a stretch, but I asked the orthopedic we took him to, just to make sure everything was fine. He not only reassured us that his bowlegged-ness (is that a word?) can easily go away or not be noticeable at all, he also told us that his tip toe walking is just something kids do and not to worry.

He was also an early walker/talker and doesn't always walk on his tip toes, but like your little girls, it's much more frequent when he gets excited or happy.

My words are to not worry... I'm sure she's perfectly fine.

Very normal! I would be worried if she could not do it.

As far I know, your child should be fine! My 16 year old son did the same thing when he was about your childs age! That's funny, I had forgotten all about that until I read your bulliten! We used to call him "Twinke Toes"! Thanks for bringing back that cute memory! Hope all goes well with your child! Angela

Totally normal! some kids walk on their toes for years! I have a cousin who used it as his preferred method, and both my kids (4 1/2 and 23 months) did it to some extent. I wouldn't worry.

My two oldest kids have both gone through this stage. I think it is something most kids do at some point. I wouldn't worry if I were you. I am sure my third will go through it too once he gets to that age! God bless you and your little one, being a mommy is such a delight!

My daughter who is almost 2 used to do this quite a bit also. It seemed like she was doing it to be cute. She rarely does it anymore, but I don't think you have anything to worry about.