15-month old standing on tippy toes

[Jerlin]

I just noticed that my 15-month old DS started walking on his tippy toes. He does it more so on his right foot. Is this normal? My MIL said that he just learned something new and is just doing that because it's new. I'm a first time mom, and I tend to freak out over everything. lol Thanks!

[tzs]

i only know specifically for older toddlers around 2 years b/c i taught that age and had a couple that did it. it can be a sign of some things but most often it is totally normal. but even if it is normal, it IS something to work on or contact a ped or EI about just because it can end up being painful for them (if they continue to walk that way). i can't remember exactly what the problem could end up being but it was something with muscle, tendon, or ligament pain. if it were me i'd wait on it and see first.

[blessedwithboys]

Your MIL could be totally right, but if he's still doing it in a month, ask the doctor.  If that gets you nowhere, in 3 months get him looked by an OT.  All of the tow-walkers I have known have done so due to sensory processing issues.  Does your LO have any other (for lack of a better word) quirks?

The trouble with toe-walking, as far as I have heard, is that it can cause the muscles or tendons or whatever to shorten.  I could be way wrong, of course, and if he just does it for a short while it's no big deal.

[Jerlin]

What do you mean by sensory processing issues? I'm confused. He seems to be walking on his toes (right foot mainly) not all the time. I just see him doing it some of the time. The toes on his is right foot seems to spread out while he's tippy toeing. Not sure if it's a balance thing, new thing and he wants to keep on doing it, or there might be something else. But I'm not sure what you mean about sensory processing issues. Please clarify, as I am curious and freaking out now. Thanks!

[tzs]

don't freak out!

sensory issues are either where someone has difficulty processing certan senses and engages in avoidance behavior (loud noises, fabrics touching bodies, i personally hate touching sand or sandy things, etc...) and are just more "sensitive" or the opposite, where they engage in sensory seeking behaviors (excessive water play, daredevil behavior, inappropriate mouthing, etc,....) 

i would guess, if it's the case, that tippytoe walking would be sensory seeking.

even if it is the case, which it may not be, there are lot's of other reasons why kids walk tippy-toe in addition to just plain trying it out, sensory issues are very easily worked with.

but what the pp said does now ring a bell. if tippytoe walking continues it's the shortening of the tendons that you have to watch out for that could develop into something painful. i've personally seen several kids with the walking issue unrelated to any other issue and have it resolved through various means (if, and only if, it continues!)

p.s. supposedly squeeker shoes were made to encourage heel-to-toe walking if you'd want to try some out. even if it just resolves itself, most squeeker shoes i've seen have been good quality on terms of flexiblility and just plain fun so it wouldn't be a waste of money. my dd has a pair...just because.

[pbjmama]

and all children (and adults) have some sensory issues. it plays out in all sorts of ways such as liking or not liking food textures, feeling of clothing, all sorts of things. sensory issues does not equal a horrible diagnosis of a problem. my almost 3 yo walks on her toes occasionally. when she was doing it alot i put her shoes on to decrease the behavior. she also craves swinging. she is a totally typical to advanced kid.

[crunchy_mommy]

Don't freak out!! My DS did the toe-walking thing sometimes... for maybe a month or two, I really don't remember... and then lost interest and walks normally all the time now. I'd take a 'wait & see' approach (unless you have other reasons to be concerned) and not worry about it unless it becomes more constant and/or is still happening in another couple months... It does sound like he could just be trying it out, but you never know...

[blessedwithboys]

Sorry, OP, didn't mean to freak you out.  :)

Toe-walking is actually more an "avoiding" thing rather than "seeking".  It tends to happen because the child does not like anything to touch the bottom of the foot.  Often, a toe-walking child will also avoid letting anything touch the palm of the hand, too.  If it is a seeking behavior in a particular child, you will likely see them crashing and smashing into things (both beds and walls!) and being the proverbial bull in the china shop.  If that's not your kiddo (it wasn't mine) than it may be avoiding.

If you aren't seeing any other "sensory" bevhaviors, the toe-walking is probably totally benign.  Check out this page, but don't freak out.

And the PP who said everyone has sensory "issues" to one extent or another is absolutely correct!  I didn't realize I had some little teeny tiny seonsory quirks until I recognized them in my then-2yo ds and got him evaluated.  Trust me, they don't rule my life one bit.  If anything, they make me neater, cleaner, and more organized.

Now if it's not sensory for your dc, then could it be sore muscles?  Really, just wait and watch and if it doesn't stop ina reasonab;e amount of time, have it looked at.  Best wishes!

[redpajama]

I'm not highly-informed on this subject, but to explore another possibility, my niece (now 23) walked on her toes from an early age, and it was because the tendons in the back of her leg (I don't know if it was her Achilles, but it was where the Achilles is located) were too short.  She had surgery when she was in middle school (I think they waited until she appeared to be done-or-nearly-done growing) to lengthen the tendons.  Now she walks heel-to-toe, "normally."