Walking on tiptoes??

Question

My daughter is 16 months old. She started walking when she was about 13 or 14 months old. Thing is.. she's walking on her tippytoes. She won't walk flat. Is this normal? I tried putting shoes on her, but they always find a way to come off. What should I do?

Answer 1

I've seen a lot of children who walk on their tip toes and they usually grow out of it by the age of 3 or 4. I wouldn't be worried about it right now, if she were to continue I would bring it up with her doctor. It's not good for anyone to walk on their tip toes for long periods of time, a friend of mine had to go to physical therapy when he was in college because he had always walked on his tip toes and it had caused him to have problems with his calf muscles. He had therapy as well as having to do exercises at home like standing on the edge of step with his heel hanging off the step to stretch out the calf muscle and get it used to being elongated. Not to worry you, but just to let you know it can have long term effects.

Answer 2

Walking on her tippytoes isn't good for the muscles in her legs. My friend has a son who was still walking on his toes at 3yrs. old and now he has to wear braces on his legs to train him to walk normally. I would bring this up with your Doctor so if it can get fixed now it shouldn't take as long to correct.

Answer 3

My neice was the same way. She is now almost 13. She still does the same thing. She will walk flat footed, but says it's more comfortable for her to walk on her tippy toes. As long as she is walking well and doesn't seem unconfortable don't worry about it. Good Luck .

Answer 4

This is very very normal, my oldest daughter done this for a while. Kids enjoy different sensations and she is probably enjoying the experience she gets from walking on her toes. Let it be don't nag her for it and it will pass. If she is still doing this by 24 months then maybe see your health professional but other then that I would just leave her be

Answer 5

Most of the time they will grow out of this , If you think it is hurting her then contact your doctor for a chat. It never hurts to be too careful where children are concerned. Good Luck and my youngest walked on toes for 3 months until she discovered her heals

Answer 6

Let her do it, all kids do, it's how they strengthen the calf and foot muscles, and the arch in the foot. she will stop and walk 'regular' when she's ready. Trying to make her stop will actually do more harm, because she needs to strengthen muscles that have never been used before. Keep her barefoot as much as possible, they 'grip' the floor with their toes, and wearing hard soled shoes makes them clumsier because the muscles don't properly develop.

Answer 7

My advice for this is to let her walk on her tip toes because it seems like you cannot find a way to stop her from doing it. Like any other thing, this is just a phase and she will grow out of it. All I want to say is that if she has any pain in her toes, that is your sign to make her stop doing it.

Answer 8

My little cousin did this and is now seven, it never went away. He now has to wear braces on his feet at night to straetch out the muscles and stuff in his legs. You should get this checked early so it doesn't get as severe as his did.

Answer 9

My daughter did that & is still does (she's 4 now). She only does it occasionally now but when she was younger she constantly did it when she was barefooted. Her feet are fine & nothing to be concerned about. If you're still concerned you may want to talk to her pediatrician.

Answer 10

My cousin used to do that when she was a baby shes 14 now and still does it when shes barefoot