Son Just Started Toe Walking

Hi A. -

I know how you feel about being concerened. My 23 month old walk on his toes every once in awhile and he has been walking since he was 12 months old. I called the pediatrician and they seemed to think that it was fine he was just feeling thins out. I am sure that your little guy is just fine, but if it would make you feel better call his doc and ask about it. I think they do it just because they can and it is fun.

cheers,
M.

It's probably nothing urgent if he is still developing normally in all other areas. Worth mentioning to the pediatrician next time you take him in though. My son did this off and on for years now, I still catch him doing it sometimes and he is 7. He doesn't realize he is doing it, but he has been checked a few times by his ped and a neurologist and there is nothing wrong. He started this around age 2, and it was def. more constant at that age, now it is very random. I wouldn't worry, good luck to you!

Hi A.,
My son occasionally walked on his toes a little while after he started walking. From all the books I have read this is fairly normal and they are just trying out something new. My nephew walked on his toes forever and there was nothing wrong with him either. If he starts doing it predominately then you should probably have it checked out. My son is 26 months and now only does it very rarely.

A.,
My son also did this for a while, too. It's probably just something novel that he is trying out for a time. When I saw my son doing it, I just said "heels, please." After a while, he just stopped walking on his toes.
B.

Hi! I think this is actually an activity that builds up the arches, so some of it is good. If he does it all the time, though, you might want to see someone about it. One of my third grade students (who was incredibly gifted academically, by the way) used to walk this way almost all the time, and her mother said it's a habit some kids get into, and then the backs of shins shorten or become less flexible or something and it's hard to get out of the habit.

Unless your son has other "red flags" for neurodevelopmental disorders, then I wouldn't sweat it. Toe walking is part of normal development as the other mammas here have stated. It may go on for as long as a few months because of the novelty of it. You also might check to see if he needs new shoes. I noticed my daughter would toe walk in her shoes when they were getting tight. If you do see other signs of a neurological problem, then by all means take him in for an evaluation. The earlier a problem is caught the less impact it will have in the long run with treatment. My stepson is autistic, and has made great progress due to the early intervention services we got for him. This is probably just a case of either novelty or shoes that are too tight.

That's funny my daughter did that too. It was like she discovered...hey I can walk on my toes too! She did it off and on for about a month. I asked the Doc at her 18 month checkup and she said not to worry since she had a normal full term birth and that she mostly walks flat footed. It alarmed me too though. She hasn't done it in a while now. (18.5 months old now.)

Don't worry! If by "toe walking" you mean he's walking on his "tip toes," then it's perfectly normal and is actually a positive developmental sign. He's probably just doing it a lot lately because he can. If after a few weeks it looks like that's the only way he walks, then maybe you can talk to his pediatrician, but otherwise. Don't sweat it!

A.,
My youngest did the very same thing. I think he just liked the bounce so to speak. He looked like he was just trying something else he'd figured out. He's 15 going on 16 now and perfectly healthy. If it worries you then by all means schedule an appointment. I'd give it a little while and see what he does. Now that I'm a member here it sure brings back alot of memories :) I had most of these same questions myself and the site sure would have helped put my mind at ease a bit. Best of luck to you

My son just turned 8 and he still walks on his toes some of the time. When he was young he was diagnosed with mild sensory integration issues. You might want to ask your doctor if this is something to explore and there are whole books on the subject. The explanation I was given is that it's a way of avoiding direct contact with the earth. I have no idea if that's what's happening with your son but if it is, don't worry, there's lots you can do for him. In my son's case, as he's gotten older, the sensory integration challenges haven't been much of an issue. The only bad thing about the toe walking is that he wears out shoes unbelievably quickly!

I'm 34 years old and have toe walked my whole life. My family has always considered it amusing that I walk on my "tippy-toes," but other than being something that people muse over or remark about in passing, it has never caused me any problems. Actually, I was an extremely gifted athlete (runner and swimmer) until I stopped competing in college. I have noticed that my calf muscles are shorter than normal, so I cannot stretch them as far as is normal, but otherwise nothing noteworthy. I have read many different theories on why people toe walk, ranging from possible developmental disabilities (autism, etc), to digestive problems, to brain wiring. I guess the bottom line is that I have never had any of these, I was always a gifted athlete and student (4.0), and it has never in any way negatively effected my life. I would say that unless you notice some other signs of developmental problems, I would not worry yourself over the toe walking. Many people outgrow it anyway (my daughter did), and if they don't (like me), it probably won't be a problem.

Both my daughter & her daddy walk on their toes & they are both fine. I would not be to concerned since he is developing normally.

Hi A.

My son did the same thing after walking for a little while. I as a child didn't it as well. My son has developed normally in everyway as well. Brandon is now 2 1/2 and just the other day I saw him walking on his toes. I really don't think you have anything to worry about at this time. when Brandon was in a walker he would be up on his toes alot. But once he started walking he really didn't do it anymore except once in awhile. Hope this helps to know that others do this little trick too.

A., not sure if this will help, but if it gives you any comfort, I'm 30, have been walking on my toes all my life -- I swear my daughter's doing it when we practice walking w her (she's only 10 months though -- but from my own experience there's been no neurological affects. I pray and believe all will b well w your lil bundle.
Also my hubby's brother walked on his toes, however they got him braces and he stopped, but while any other time I'd say my in-laws are crazy, he doesn't seem to have any neurological affects from it either. If nothing else I hope you smiled :)