My Toddler Falls Down a Lot
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC, AAP guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about my toddler falls down a lot, here is what you need to know.
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.
Key takeaways
- 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.
- Usually normal when: Your child just started walking in the last 3-6 months - frequent falling is completely typical for new walkers.
- Call your doctor if: Your toddler was walking well and has become suddenly more unsteady or has started falling frequently - any regression in motor skills warrants prompt evaluation.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC guidelines, 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. At 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. It is generally considered normal when your child just started walking in the last 3-6 months - frequent falling is completely typical for new walkers. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your toddler was walking well and has become suddenly more unsteady or has started falling frequently - any regression in motor skills warrants prompt evaluation.
Normal vs. Concerning
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 to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed my toddler falls down a lot and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your toddler has been walking for more than 6 months and is still very unsteady.
- Mention if falling seems to be increasing rather than decreasing over time.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
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.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice my toddler falls down a lot — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your child just started walking in the last 3-6 months - frequent falling is completely typical for new walkers — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 12-15 months (new walkers), focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Provide plenty of supervised floor time and tummy time to support your baby's physical development.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your toddler was walking well and has become suddenly more unsteady or has started falling frequently - any regression in motor skills warrants prompt evaluation.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is my toddler falls down a lot normal?
When should I call the doctor about my toddler falls down a lot?
When is my toddler falls down a lot normal?
What causes my toddler falls down a lot?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about my toddler falls down a lot?
Is my toddler falls down a lot normal at 12-15 months (new walkers)?
Is my toddler falls down a lot normal at 15-18 months?
Should I go to the ER for my toddler falls down a lot?
Does my toddler falls down a lot go away on its own?
References
- [1]American Academy of Pediatrics - Movement Milestones: 12 to 24 Months AAP
- [2]CDC Milestone Tracker - Important Milestones: Your Child By 18 Months and 2 Years CDC
- [3]Adolph KE, Cole WG, et al. How Do You Learn to Walk? Thousands of Steps and Dozens of Falls per Day. Psychological Science. 2012. AAP
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Toddler Falls Down a Lot.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed my toddler falls down a lot and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your toddler has been walking for more than 6 months and is still very unsteady.
- Mention if falling seems to be increasing rather than decreasing over time.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- 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.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- 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.
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
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Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of my toddler falls down a lot are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your toddler was walking well and has become suddenly more unsteady or has started falling frequently - any regression in motor skills warrants prompt evaluation.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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