Walking on tiptoes, 14 months

[MrsMong]

DD has been taking steps since around 10 months and properly walking since 12 months. She's always walked on her tip toes, which I've never been too worried about.

A couple of people mentioned it recently, so I commited that cardinal sin of googling, and it says lots of scary things.

I'm not too worried, but would like to know what point I should start worrying - 15 months, 16, 17???

I've no other concerns about her development, so no real reason to worry.

Anyone got any experience?

Walking on tiptoes is really common and there isn't a lot you can do about it. The important thing is that she can get her heels to to floor if she wants to.

The scary conditions on the web have other symptoms other than walking on tiptoes. The fact that the rest of her development is fine, probably means she is OK. However if you have any worries then talk to your GP/ health visitor.

My son walked on his toes and had 18 months of physio because his tendons were so tight that he could not get his heels to the floor. He is fine now and you would never know he had a problem.

My son also walks on his tip toes from learning to walk until now he is 5.5 yrs.. He was not referred to anyone till he was 3 as until then they may grow out of it, Its very common and most of the time children grow out of it.. Just keep an eye and if she is still doing it in 2 years then bring it up with your GP

Thanks everyone.

DD can get her heels to the floor, and when standing has her feet flat. As soon as she starts taking steps she's on her tip toes.

I'm not too worried about the moment, so will just keep an eye on her for the next couple of months. If no improvement, i might give HV a ring.

I walked on tip toes as a child, I can remember it I was about probably 5 or 6 when my mother first noticed. I could not put my feet flat to the floor first thing in the morning and remember thinking it was quite normal. I went to a physiotherapist who used to do exercises with my legs. I apparently had a problem with the tendons in the backs of my legs tightening up in the night. I am fine now (although I cannot and have never been able to touch my toes). I would get it checked out it may not be as bad as you think.

i still do this often in the morning and im 28! i have got tight tendons, always have and when my DS started doing this with his first steps i got worried too, but he can put his foot down and the GP checked him over and he hasn't got a problem anymore.

My mum said we all did it and there are 6 of us, so i think its common at a stage for a while, but would be concerned if it lasted more than a few months.

My DS has always tiptoed as well (currently 2.4 yrs). Referred to podiatrist but she just checked that he can put his feet flat (he can) and sent me on my way with ideas to encourage flatter feet - such as using trampolines and encouraging play such as making paint footprints.
We have had a couple of follow up appointments but podiatrist says that there is really not much they can do and their "walk" is still developing up until around 3 anyway.
I wont say don't worry because naturally you do - i know i do, more from the point that he may be a target for teasing if it continues.
I would raise it with HV if still around by two year check and get yourself "in the system" with a foot specialist.

My son has never been teased for toewalking. He has never been teased for wearing hearing aids either. I found it best to ignore my son's toe walking.

I think we as parents worry too much.

I'm starting to worry about this a bit more... DD is 16m now, and this shows no sign of stopping.

She stands with her feet flat on the floor, but always walks on tiptoes.

Been googling which is says scary things

All the experiences people talk about tend to be children who do it through choice (ie they discover it and walk that way for a few weeks / months), rather than always walk this way like my DD.

Planning on phoning HV on Tuesday, but would love to hear your thoughts before then....

Is your DD very tall? My friends little boy had this and basically the bones grew quicker than the tendons so it hurt to walk flat footed and he walked on tiptoes so didn't need to stretch the tendons - think about all those stretches at the gym which stretch your tight ligaments. He had his legs in casts for about 6 weeks which sorted it. Sounds awful but in fact it was just down to his ankle so he could still run around just got a bit itchy.

For other scary stuff I guess you have been googling autism, which my DS has. If you are in the least concerned about this you should look up MCHAT including the parent questionnaire which sets out all the warning signs. But if the toe thing is your only worry its likely its just tight tendons / ligaments.

Autism / Cerebal Palsy seem to be the worst case scenarios that are mentioned a lot...

Autism - no other symptoms I can see, except perhaps some sensory issues. Can't stand her feet being touched, gets upset if she has to walk without socks on, and can't stand sand. Hard for me to know if this is within the normal spectrum, or if it's tipping into the ASD world. Eye contact is good, pointing is there, pretend / imaginative play is there (e.g giving toys drinks from her cup etc)

Cerebal Palsy - not really sure what else to look for...

DD isn't particularly tall.

Unlikely to be cerebral palsy as can put to floor.
Try getting well fitting full on shoes with laces (like piedro boots) They encourage heel to floor walking. www.gilbert-mellish.co.uk/products/footwear/Piedro/rehabilitation/firststep.php Piedros are v expensive but the website will give you the right idea for suitable shoes.
Don't worry,sounds fine to me