Walking on Toes?

Mainstream medicine might not agree, but I've read (you can google and find articles) that it can be due to a dairy allergy. The protein found in dairy can impact the brain and thus that's why there is this neurlogical impact. Here's an interesting thread on mothering.com on this topic and covers lots of possibilities:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=461333

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M.,
My sister has twin boys, Hunter and Dakota who are now 4. But, from the tim he started walking until about he time he turned 3, Hunter walked on his toes. He, too, is very bright and way above average for his age. I don't know if the 2 things are related, I doubt it, but who knows? Like I said, he did grow out of it with no long term issues and continues to be a highly intelligent sweetheart. I think your son will be just fine, esp. being asymptomatic in all other areas. Good luck!
M.

Both of my boys tend to walk on their toes. Not as much now, they are 3 and 5, but my husband does that and he is 42. So not sure that it is a problem. Makes for very strong calves and butt muscles. ha!

My daughter walked on her toes almost full-time when she was a toddler. She is now 10, and she still does occasionally. Her father's sister, now 38, did the same thing as a kid and still also walks on her toes sometimes! I wondered about it, too, but it turned out to be nothing. My daughter apparently has had no effects from it and is a smart, normal child.

I'd get it checked out anyway, just for your peace of mind, if insurance covers the visit and it isn't too expensive for you. I did, and I felt better knowing nothing was wrong. Otherwise you might get anxious every time you see him doing it. And on the tiny off chance that something is amiss, you'll be catching it early. Just my opinion.

My sister-in-law has 4 children that ALL walked on their toes for at least 2 years. Like you said they had NO other issues. Her doctor wasn't concerned because it was something she herself had done as a child also. The kids are now 4, 6, 8, and 9 and very athletic normal kids. It never slowed them down, just something that that did. I have 4 children as well that never walked on their toes but one of them did crawl backwards only. Kids are all unique. Having said all that, I don't have any medical advice but you may find comfort in knowing my 4 nieces and nephews grew out of it on thier own. Have a great day!

While it is true that this is usually normal--something kids just do for a while, then quit--it can also be the first sign of a neurological problem. If your doctor knows your child, has examined him and feels like you should be referred, make the appt! Rule out the "worst possible scenario" and go from there.

My son, now 4, used to only walk on toes. Grew out of it about a year or so ago. Also one of his little friends did too. I'd probably wait and see.

M., my son who is almost 5 is still walking on his toes. He has done it since he learned to walk. He does it all the time. We saw an orthopedic surgeon and a podiatrist when he was two and they both said it was nothing to worry about, that he will outgrow it. At his four year visit, his heel cords were very tight and his pediatrican could hardly get this foot to bend towards my son. He sent us to a neurologist last summer because he thought our son may have cerbral palsy also. He does not have it. The neurologist did refer him for physical therapy. PT alone was not working, so now he is wearing ankle/foot orthosis (AFOs) every day. They're not sure how long he'll be wearing them. It's really up to how long it takes our son to walk without coming up on his toes. He's only had the AFOs since Oct. and when they're off, he's right back up on his toes. Depending on how often your son does it and for how long, it could be a problem in the long run. That's why I wanted it taken care of now. Basically, the last resort is surgery where they have to cut the heel cords and I do not want that to have to happen. Good luck and if you have any questions, feel free to send me a message. Have a great day!

I'm the mother of 3 and grandmother of 8! I have seen a lot about raising kids!
My daughter walked on her toes until she was over 6 yrs. She would stand on her toes with the big toe out to balance with!! She is now 30 yrs old and does it just to show us she still can. :) It isn't anything to worry about! They will eventually realize that everyone else isn't doing it and with activities such as school and sports, as they get older, it will end. If on the other hand it seems to be getting worse then you might want to consider other steps; but right now to see a developmental child pychologist is just plain crazy! He's a little boy that is living life!!!

My youngest daughter walked on her toes. She would curl them under her feet and walk on the "knuckles". We freaked when she was little. She displayed no other developmental delay signs, however. She's now nine and perfectly fine. My pediatrician never suggested that she see anyone.

I don't want to compare her to your son. I'm not a doctor and can't diagnose anything. Maybe a second opinion would be helpful?

By the way, my daughter is a ballet dancer and the seeming lack of feeling in her feet makes for some great dancing!

M., I am a pediatric Occupational Therapist. I have worked with children in the past w/ this issue. Sometimes it does have to do w/ a sensory issue they have, and i do a brushing program for desensitization. also, the muscles are probably getting tight if she is constantly doing it so i have the kiddo do runner stretches, stand on one foot, or walk on various surfaces. i also manually stretch them or have them lean back on a curb to stretch the calf area. make sure you cue them as well for "no toes" or something to that effect. something to consider...
A.

My son is 6 years old and still walks on his toes from time to time - makes for really strong calves! Doesn't seem to impact any other part of his life - all is great for him. Never hurts to seek expert advice, but wanted to reassure you that just because he walks on his toes, doesn't mean anything has to be wrong.
Take Care.
K.

When my son was about 2 a family friend/neonatologist told me point blank, that my son may have cerebral palsy. I was angered by him being insensitive. I told him, "how about it is just fun to walk on his toes."
Ends up, I am right he is almost 5 and just fine.

I know I walked on my toes into Elementary school. I don't think it should be a big concern. My only advise would be NOT to make it into a big deal for your son (Or you may create a problem).
I have my masters in counseling psychology.

Go ahead and get the consult to make sure everything is ok. I have a friend in the same situation. Her daughter is now in physical therapy and doing well. DO NOT let them scare you with all the things it "could" be. Some kids just do it because they want to be different! If you are really worried, message me and I'll get you in touch with my friend. I'm sure she'd be happy to talk to you.

My daughter walked on her toes until she was nearly 4. She is 5 1/2 and perfectly healthy and neurologically fine. I had several people comment on her toe walking and stated that they did it as well. I believe that SOME children just like to walk on their toes. If you do not see any reason I wouldn't worry. If you are concerned, then have him checked to be on the safe side.

Don't have any advice other than to say that a friend's child was still walking on his toes at 3 yrs. They also went to a neurologist. Not sure on all the details, but they did have to get physical therapy,and that had to be a referral from a neurologist.

Hope that helps.

I don't know about the toe walking... but I went to a neurologist when my son was 8 and he said yes my son was autistic, no they didn't know what caused autism and to work with the school to get him the services he needed to succeed. He said my son's issues were very mild compared to many children he saw.

He didn't refer us to a child psychologist. He did say the Easter Seals does testing for free too and gave me the info.

So, I can say that my experience was positive with a neurologist.

My son (who will be 3 on Sunday) walked on his toes at least 50-60% of the time after he started walking. We never addressed it and never made any mention of it to him. He has since stopped on his own. I never knew it could be considered a "problem" I just thought it was something kids did until one day they just didn't do it anymore. That's how it worked for us. I think the more you draw attention to it, the more they are likely to continue, but that's just my opinion.

My son walked on his toes for many years...I can't remember how long but definitely into Elementary school to some degree. If everything else is normal, I wouldn't worry about it. My son's a normal, healthy 15 year old now.

My DD is 27 months at occassionally walks on her toes. Apparently I did this as a baby/toddler too.

My doctor said as long as she can walk normal too and do so also on a regular basis then nothing to worry about.

DD is on the petite side (neither DH nor I are big/tall people). So sometimes I think it's because it makes her taller and more able to reach things :-)

DD has been advanced motor-wise (walking at 10 months) and average in her speaking, very social, loves books/reading. Doctor laughs when she sees her b/c she always says it's clear she's doing great!

So if there are other things going on, then get it checked out. Otherwise, your kid is probably fine IMO.