My Toddler Falls Down a Lot
The short answer
Falling is a completely normal part of learning to walk and run, and most toddlers fall frequently in the first 6 months after they start walking. A new walker may fall dozens of times per day and that's expected. Falling typically decreases significantly by around 18-24 months of walking experience. It only becomes a concern if falling increases over time rather than decreasing, or if it seems out of proportion compared to peers.
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By Age
What to expect by age
12-15 months (new walkers)
New walkers fall constantly - research shows that toddlers who just started walking may take 2,000+ steps and fall 17+ times per hour. Their wide-based, stiff-legged gait is normal for beginners. Every fall teaches their brain about balance. This is absolutely expected and not a reason for concern.
15-18 months
Falling should be gradually decreasing as your toddler gains experience. Their gait is narrowing and they're getting better at navigating obstacles and uneven surfaces. Falls still happen regularly, especially when they're tired, excited, or on unfamiliar terrain. If falling seems to be increasing or staying the same, mention it at your next visit.
18-24 months
Most toddlers are fairly steady walkers by now, though they still trip and fall, especially when running or climbing. If your toddler is still very unsteady at this age and falls much more than peers, or if they seem to fall in unusual ways (like their legs giving out), it's worth discussing with your pediatrician.
2-3 years
By age 2-3, children should walk confidently and fall only occasionally. If your child still falls very frequently, seems unusually clumsy, or has difficulty with stairs, running, or kicking a ball, an evaluation can help determine whether there are balance, coordination, or muscle tone factors that would benefit from physical therapy support.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your child just started walking in the last 3-6 months - frequent falling is completely typical for new walkers.
- Your toddler falls more when tired, sick, or in a new environment - situational falling is normal.
- Your toddler falls while running or climbing but walks steadily - they're pushing their limits, which is how they learn.
- Falling is gradually decreasing over weeks and months - the trend is what matters.
- Your toddler trips on uneven surfaces, carpet edges, or going up/down slopes - these are tricky for everyone at first.
- Your toddler has been walking for more than 6 months and is still very unsteady.
- Falling seems to be increasing rather than decreasing over time.
- Your toddler falls much more frequently than same-age peers.
- Your toddler seems to fall in unusual ways - legs giving out, falling backward, or falling only to one side.
- Your toddler was walking well and has become suddenly more unsteady or has started falling frequently - any regression in motor skills warrants prompt evaluation.
- Frequent falling is accompanied by complaints of leg or foot pain, limping, or refusal to walk.
- Your toddler seems dizzy, has changes in eye movement, or falling is accompanied by other neurological concerns like headaches or vomiting.
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
Worrying about your baby means you care. That is a good thing.
Related Physical Concerns
My Baby Seems to Use One Side More Than the Other
Babies should use both sides of their body fairly equally during the first 18 months of life. While slight preferences can be normal, a consistent pattern of favoring one side - using one arm much more than the other, crawling with one leg dragging, or turning the head predominantly one way - should always be discussed with your pediatrician. Early identification of asymmetry leads to the best outcomes.
My Baby Only Army Crawls
Army crawling (also called commando crawling) is a completely valid and normal way for babies to move. Many babies army crawl for weeks or even months before transitioning to hands-and-knees crawling, and some skip hands-and-knees crawling entirely. What matters is that your baby is independently mobile and exploring their environment.
One Side of My Baby's Body Moves Differently
Babies should generally use both sides of their body equally. If one side consistently moves differently, is weaker, stiffer, or less coordinated, this warrants evaluation. Asymmetric movement can indicate hemiplegia (cerebral palsy affecting one side), brachial plexus injury, or other neurological conditions that benefit from early therapy.
My Baby Crawls Unevenly
While some variation in crawling patterns is normal, consistently favoring one side or dragging one limb while crawling warrants attention. Babies should use both arms and both legs relatively equally when crawling. Persistent asymmetry could indicate muscle tone differences, hip issues, or neurological concerns that benefit from early evaluation.
My Baby Still Has the Fencing Reflex (Persistent ATNR)
The asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR, also called the fencing reflex) causes your baby to extend the arm on the side they are looking toward. It should integrate between 4-6 months. If the ATNR persists strongly beyond 6 months, it can interfere with bringing hands to midline, bilateral hand use, and rolling. Evaluation is recommended.
Signs of Ataxia in Babies and Toddlers
Ataxia refers to wobbly, uncoordinated movements that result from problems with the cerebellum (the brain's coordination center). Signs include an unsteady, wide-based gait, difficulty with precise hand movements, and intention tremor (shaking that worsens when reaching for something). If you notice these signs, evaluation by a pediatric neurologist is important.