My son started walking in his 12th month, but now he's 14 months and sometimes walks on his tiptoes, why?

Question

is this?

Answer 1

if he doesn't do it all the time, it's unlikely that it means anything at this age. Most children "toe walk" occasionally when they're cruising (moving around a room using various objects for support) and when they're first starting to walk, especially if they're walking on a bare floor. Some kids keep doing it, off and on, just for fun — the same way they try to walk along crosswalk lines or step over cracks in the sidewalk.

If your son is toe walking consistently, however, talk to his pediatrician. Frequent toe walking can signal several different problems, the most serious of which is cerebral palsy. (If he was born prematurely, you'll want to keep an especially close eye on him because preemies are more prone to the form of cerebral palsy called diplegia, which involves the bottom half of the body.) The problem could also be physical: It's not common, but some children have short Achilles tendons, which means it's difficult or impossible for them to walk flat-footed without help. This problem is generally easily treated, either with surgery or with non-surgical approaches to stretching the Achilles tendons.

Toe walking with no accompanying physical problems is called idiopathic toe walking, and is frequently seen in children with language or other developmental disorders, though we don't know just why. If your child has this condition, your pediatrician will want to do an evaluation, including a neurological exam, looking for language and other developmental delays. If the results of this exam are normal and your child does not have any significant delays, however, he won't need therapy and will most likely grow out of the condition on his own.
hope that helps!

Answer 2

Walking on tiptoes that early is normal... my son did the same thing! My doctor told me that it is because they are so excited to be mobile. I would only worry if he is still doing it around a year and a half to two. Good luck!

Answer 3

I'm not sure of the reasoning, but one of my best friend's son did the same thing at about that age. By age 3, all he did was tippy toe, and his pediatrician fitted him with special shoes, so that he couldn't walk that way. He had concerns that constant walking on his tip toes would harm the muscles in his legs, and give his feet problems in later years. If he starts to walk on his toes more and more, please take him to your pediatrician for evaluation. Who knows - it may just be a passing fancy as he discovers what his feet can do!

I wish you well!

Answer 4

Alot of toddlers do this. I think it's just a way of exploring new things and movements. Some will do it for a few weeks, others may do it for months. I wouldn't worry about it...it's good for their balance

Answer 5

both my brother and i walked on our tiptoes as babies. i grew out of it, but at 15, he still kind of does it. i think its ok for now, but try to correct it as he gets older. i think it's a balance thing.

Answer 6

this is normal. My daughter does too sometimes, she also walks backwards sometimes, and bounces sometimes. They are just checking out new stuff mommy. If he ONLY walks on his tip toes then you need to consult the pediatrician.

Answer 7

Cause he can...lol...it's nothing to worry about, I have seven children and most of them have done this, I think they think its fun, my two year old is doing it still, just enjoy him its a great age where he is discovering things

Answer 8

i'm sure there's some real reasoning for it...but every little kid i saw does this..i babysit my nephews..and the one is 21months and still does it when he runs nothing to be concerned about..my family just laughs and calls it their "twinkle toes" ..it's just how they balance..dont worry they'll grow out of it! lol. it's cute anyways :)

Answer 9

Its just a new thing he learned how to do. They go from one thing to another. He will eventually get tired and move onto something new! Everyday is something new to them!

Answer 10

I think he's just trying out the equipment.