Son walking on tip toes; just another phase?

[Tee2072]

My 21 month old has just recently begun walking around the house on his tip toes, rather than flat on his feet.

He's been walking very well for about 4 months, runs, goes backwards, all those things. So is this just a new fun thing for him?

Or is it weird?!?!

My ds1 (now 14) walked on his tippy toes for a while and I've noticed many children do it. A friend of mine had a daughter that did it for ever. She took her to an homeopath who diagnosed her with constipation. Something about relieving the bowel by stretching on tip toes ???? Unless there are any other developmental issues you are unsure of, I think it's perfectly normal .. imho.

You might want to check that he does not have tight tendons making it uncomfortable to put his heels down (quite common). However, you say he CAN put his heels down and he does walk around "normally" so this is unlikely. I think children do go through these funny phases but I would perhaps watch how often he puts his heels down when stood still but playing IYSWIM.

My cousin did this for ages and ages! She grew out of it though. I don't think she suffered as a result of it, but I can imangine that it would shorten the tendons at the back of your legs if it went on for a significant amount of time.

I would see it as just a phase, see what he's doing in a month and then perhaps take him to the doc if he's persisting.

I have a friend who's daughter used a baby walker a lot before she was able to walk independently, the little girl is now nearly 3 and still walks on tip toes a lot of the time.

Keep an eye on it. Some kids go through phases of this but my son didn't. He carried on for years and we stupidly didn't really notice it. He us now having physio and may have to have an op. He's 8.

Hi reup my brother and sister both had the op at around 5 and all fine now.

Thanks everyone. He never had a baby walker so it's not that. My husband and I just noticed it the other day. He does stand flat to play and walks flat probably 90% or more of the time.

So I am leaning towards just a phase, but I'll keep an eye on it!

DD does this too. She walks flat much more often than on tiptoes, so I think just a phase as well.

My son does this as a fun thing - like walking backwards, trying to jump or stand on one leg. If he is walking flat on his feet most of the time I'd assume he was fine.