My Baby Walks Pigeon-Toed
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, AAOS, Seattle Children's guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about walks pigeon-toed, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Walking with toes pointed inward (pigeon-toed or in-toeing) is very common in babies and toddlers and is usually nothing to worry about. It often corrects itself as your child grows and their bones and muscles develop. Most kids outgrow it by age 8 without any treatment.
Key takeaways
- Walking with toes pointed inward (pigeon-toed or in-toeing) is very common in babies and toddlers and is usually nothing to worry about. It often corrects itself as your child grows and their bones and muscles develop. Most kids outgrow it by age 8 without any treatment.
- Usually normal when: Your child is under 8 years old and walks with toes turned inward, but both feet do it equally.
- Call your doctor if: Sudden onset of severe in-toeing, especially after an injury or with accompanying pain or swelling.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, AAOS, Seattle Children's guidelines, walking with toes pointed inward (pigeon-toed or in-toeing) is very common in babies and toddlers and is usually nothing to worry about. It often corrects itself as your child grows and their bones and muscles develop. Most kids outgrow it by age 8 without any treatment. At 9-18 months, many babies who are just learning to walk have an in-toeing gait. This is often because their leg bones or feet are still curved from how they were positioned in the womb. As long as your baby is walking, bearing weight evenly on both legs, and not in pain, this is typically just part of normal development. Most early walkers grow out of it within a year or two. It is generally considered normal when your child is under 8 years old and walks with toes turned inward, but both feet do it equally. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if sudden onset of severe in-toeing, especially after an injury or with accompanying pain or swelling.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
9-18 months
Many babies who are just learning to walk have an in-toeing gait. This is often because their leg bones or feet are still curved from how they were positioned in the womb. As long as your baby is walking, bearing weight evenly on both legs, and not in pain, this is typically just part of normal development. Most early walkers grow out of it within a year or two.
19 months - 3 years
In-toeing is still very common at this age. Your toddler might trip over their own feet sometimes, but as long as they're walking confidently and the in-toeing is equal on both sides, there's usually no need for intervention. Special shoes, braces, and inserts used to be prescribed for this, but research has shown they don't actually speed up the natural correction process.
4-7 years
Many children gradually straighten out during these years. If your child is still very pigeon-toed at age 6-7, especially if it's interfering with running, sports, or causing frequent falls, mention it to your pediatrician. They may refer you to a pediatric orthopedist to assess whether the in-toeing is likely to self-correct or whether further evaluation is needed.
8+ years
In-toeing that persists beyond age 8, especially if it's severe or causing pain or activity limitations, is worth evaluating. Sometimes older kids with persistent in-toeing benefit from physical therapy to strengthen certain muscle groups, or rarely, surgical correction if the bone rotation is significant and causing problems.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed walks pigeon-toed and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your child is over 7 years old and still has pronounced in-toeing.
- Mention if one foot turns in much more than the other, or in-toeing started suddenly in one leg.
- 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 is under 8 years old and walks with toes turned inward, but both feet do it equally.
- Your child can run, jump, and play without significant pain or constant tripping.
- The in-toeing has been present since your child started walking and hasn't gotten dramatically worse.
- Your pediatrician has examined your child and isn't concerned.
- Your child is over 7 years old and still has pronounced in-toeing.
- One foot turns in much more than the other, or in-toeing started suddenly in one leg.
- Your child frequently trips, falls, or avoids activities like running because of their gait.
- In-toeing is accompanied by pain, limping, or difficulty bearing weight.
- Sudden onset of severe in-toeing, especially after an injury or with accompanying pain or swelling.
- Your child can't bear weight on one or both legs, or there's obvious deformity.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice walks pigeon-toed — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your child is under 8 years old and walks with toes turned inward, but both feet do it equally — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 9-18 months, 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 sudden onset of severe in-toeing, especially after an injury or with accompanying pain or swelling.
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 walks pigeon-toed normal?
When should I call the doctor about walks pigeon-toed?
When is walks pigeon-toed normal?
What causes walks pigeon-toed?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about walks pigeon-toed?
Is walks pigeon-toed normal at 9-18 months?
Is walks pigeon-toed normal at 19 months - 3 years?
Should I go to the ER for walks pigeon-toed?
Does walks pigeon-toed go away on its own?
References
- [1]American Academy of Pediatrics - Pigeon Toes (In-Toeing) AAP
- [2]American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - In-Toeing in Children AAOS
- [3]Seattle Children's Hospital - In-Toeing: When to Worry Seattle Children's
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Walks Pigeon-Toed.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed walks pigeon-toed and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your child is over 7 years old and still has pronounced in-toeing.
- Mention if one foot turns in much more than the other, or in-toeing started suddenly in one leg.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your child is over 7 years old and still has pronounced in-toeing.
- One foot turns in much more than the other, or in-toeing started suddenly in one leg.
- Your child frequently trips, falls, or avoids activities like running because of their gait.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Sudden onset of severe in-toeing, especially after an injury or with accompanying pain or swelling.
- Your child can't bear weight on one or both legs, or there's obvious deformity.
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 walks pigeon-toed are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if sudden onset of severe in-toeing, especially after an injury or with accompanying pain or swelling.
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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