12 answers

How to correct a tiptoe walking toddler?

My daughter has been a tiptoe walker since she could walk at 9 months and she is now 27 months. Most kids outgrow this. But I've been noticing more and more lately (now that the weather is nice) that she always walks on her tippy toes. We walked for about a mile today and the entire way she was walking on her tiptoes. People are always commenting about it too. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Is it some thing I should be concerned about? She doesn't have her next Dr. appt until she is three, should I call?
Thanks in advance for your help.
T.

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Summary

Toe walking can be benign, a habit formed from trying to see up on higher surfaces or extended time in a jumper or activity center. Even though it is a habit, it must be broken, as muscle imbalances will become more pronounced. Consult your pediatrician.

So What Happened?™

Thank you all for your advice. I did take her to the pediatrician and he prescribed physical therapy for her. He feels that she only does it out of habit, and advised that he doesn't think there are any further concerns.
Thank you all again.
T.
Now the real challenge begins...finding a Pediatric Physical Therapist in my area.

Featured Answers

I would definately call the doctor. Tiptoe walking can be a sign that the muscles are developing properly in her feet, especially if she has been doing it for so long! I read about it in an article in Parenting Magazine.

More Answers

I would definately call the doctor. Tiptoe walking can be a sign that the muscles are developing properly in her feet, especially if she has been doing it for so long! I read about it in an article in Parenting Magazine.

My husband is a tiptoe walker. My in-laws said they took him to doctors & nothing stopped him from walking that way. My daughter walks on her tiptoe and i never bothered to check it out because i feel as though nothing can stop a child from walking the way they are used to. My left leg & foot is curved in, & I had special shoes when i was a child, & im still this way. so I really wouldnt pay mind to it.

I have a 6 yr old toe walker. Some kids do not grow out of it. Follow your instincts. Look into PT, starting early makes it much easier for the kids to get used to. My daughter HATED!!!!! it, they wanted to put her in full leg orthopedics. At that time she was in Kindergarten and I didn't want her to be teased. Good Luck. If you have any other questions you can email me at ____@____.com.

I would recommend talking to your pediatrician sooner rather than later to discuss pursuing a physical therapy consult. If there is a problem, the fix may be something as simple special exercises if caught early enough.

My son is currently going through PT to stretch the muscles in his legs to help him walk. He is almost 3 and reactions to medication he is taking has affected his mobility. We are told if this isn't successful (he is responding well so we think it will be) other corrective measures include night braces, casts or surgery as a last resort. I don't offer these corrective measures to worry you but rather to encourage you to seek help now to hopefully avoid them.

I remember doing this when I was little. I don't know how old I was, but I remember my mom trying to teach me to step with my heals first.... heal toe heal toe.

My son did this also. He grew out of it when he was three or four years old. He gradually stopped doing it. My nephew is also at that age and he does it occasionally. I wouldn't worry about it. My son is an active 7 year old with no problems walking, running or jumping. But if she is never walking any other way a phone call to the doctor can't hurt.

hi T.,
my son was a tiptoe walker to. he ran n stood on his tiptoes to. u may wanna check her shoes and make sure they suport her feet right. make an apt wit her doctor . my son had to end up seein a peds. bone dortor. he had to wear braces on his feet and legs for about 14 months. they said the problem was his musles was pullin to tight and was hard for him towalk flat on his feet. these braces sstreghted out the the musles and and he would walk flat on his feet. he is 15 know and he is like 5'7 and he has strong legs and a very fast runner. good luck and ill say a pray for yall.
L.

I would definitely check with your pediatrician. If there is a problem, it would be better to find out how to deal with it now - rather than wait. I've read that this can be a sign of motor problems, etc. Or it could just be something she'll grow out of - but, again, better to find out now.

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