tippy toe walking

NBirdy

My DD (now 2) was exactly the same - cruised quite early but always on tip-toes. Started walking on her own at 16 months but still on tiptoes.

I took her to the GP who referred her to a paediatrician. He diagnosed a very very mild cerebral diplegia (cerebral palsy affecting only the legs) as her reflexes are a bit quick and the left foot doesn't flex upwards (toe to ceiling) as far as it should. Honestly it's so mild no-one would ever know and it barely affects her life at all.

She has physio (about 3 visits a year), we do some stretches at home and have to be careful what shoes we buy her (Clarks) or she sometimes gets boots free from the physio (really cute pink ones, normal except the sole doesn't flex much so prevents her tiptoeing). That's it.

Having said all that, I was told that some kids tiptoe for reasons like my DD, others do 'habitual toe-walking' and it's just a behavioural thing which they grow out of. The fact your DD CAN put her foot flat is a good sign Wishing you all the best tomorrow.

Sami_Bee

aww mother/daughter posting - sorry I find that "sweet"

glad you've decided to make an app, it could be something she grows out of but as others have said could be a prob that needs an op to fix.
there was a girl at my school who got teased a lot for walking like that and I'm sure you don't want that for your DD, good luck x

sarymclary

Hi,
a couple of my sons have done this. I was told it was a sign of slight hyperactivity. My eldest was the worst and seemed to do it all the time. He never sat down, even when watching TV he was tottering around on his tiptoes constantly.

As your child has only been walking for a month or so, it's is very early days anyway. I would consider having her fitted with her first pair of shoes, and see if that has any impact on how she places her feet to the floor. If there is a genuine medical issue, I would think it would be very apparent if she's unable to walk in shoes, and then you could present that info to your GP too.

Loz01

My oldest brother apparently did it for months/a long time when he was little :rotfl: but he obviously grew out of it, being a fully grown man now, so maybe dont worry too much

dixxi30

anguk wrote: »

I would go and see your GP about it, sometimes I think the child needs to be taught how to walk properly (sort of like physio) and also I'm sure I've read that sometimes the tendons are too tight or something like that and they may need a little op. Also, and I really don't want to worry you, but my friends son can only walk on his tiptoes and he has cerebral palsy. He was about 20 months when he was diagnosed, he was making no attempts to walk other than around furniture and always just on tip-toes. He's now taking a few steps on his own but still just on tip-toes, he's just been measured for splints and he's getting physio so hopefully that should help.

If you're worried about it I would ask your GP.

spot on anguk.my daughter walked on tiptoes .it was due too being in a baby walker,her ham strings tightened up so she was unable too put her feet flat on the floor she was in splints for 6months and lots of physio.glad you have made an appointment with your g.p

shirlgirl2004

It is quite common for children that have used baby walkers to then walk on tip toes because that is what the walkers encourage them to do.

anguk

shirlgirl2004 wrote: »

It is quite common for children that have used baby walkers to then walk on tip toes because that is what the walkers encourage them to do.

My health visitor hated baby walkers and wished they were banned
, she said they were an unnecessary expense and were terrible for causing walking problems because they didn't strengthen baby's legs and because of the design the baby's walked on tip-toes.

shirlgirl2004

anguk wrote: »

My health visitor hated baby walkers and wished they were banned
, she said they were an unnecessary expense and were terrible for causing walking problems because they didn't strengthen baby's legs and because of the design the baby's walked on tip-toes.

I know. I have a friend whose child is the same age as mine. I tried to warn her when she started to use one but she wasn't interested. Now she moans her child walks on its toes :rolleyes:

Nicki

Tiptoe walking can also be an early sign that the child is on the autistic spectrum. Not all ASD children do it, and not all children who do it are autistic, but like hand flapping and obsessive play its one of those little signs which are often there.

If your HV is suggesting that you keep an eye on her, then I would suggest that you do just that, and perhaps request a developmental check (physically and for her milestones too ) when she is 2 if it hasn't been offered, just to make sure everything is on track.

Cinny91

I find myself walking and standing on tip toes. I have no idea why either, I do remember walking on my tip toes alot when I was younger though. (Saying that I do also stand ostrich like when i'm stood for too long. One led straight, the other leg bent to the side with my foot on my knee. My brother and sister do it too )

shirlgirl and auguk's points seem right, I had a walker when I was a wee nipper and that might explain me still walking on my tip toes?

Have you tried making walking on her flat feet sort of a game? You could put some rope on the floor and tell her the point of the game is to walk all the way around the rope on flat feet.