My Toddler Has Poor Balance
The short answer
Toddlers are naturally clumsy - learning to walk, run, and navigate the world is hard work, and falls are a normal part of the process. Most kids take months to walk confidently and years to have truly good balance. However, if your toddler falls constantly, always to one side, or seems much more unsteady than other kids their age, it's worth having their pediatrician take a look.
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By Age
What to expect by age
12-18 months
Brand-new walkers are supposed to be wobbly. Your toddler is still building the muscle strength, coordination, and confidence needed for smooth walking. Falls are expected and frequent - sometimes every few steps. As long as your child is making progress (walking more steadily over weeks and months) and can get back up and keep trying, this is all part of normal development.
19-24 months
Your toddler should be walking much more confidently by now and starting to run (even if it's more of a fast, stiff-legged trot). They'll still fall sometimes, especially when tired, on uneven surfaces, or when trying something new. If your toddler is falling multiple times every single day, can't walk across a room without losing balance, or seems to be getting worse rather than better, mention it to your doctor.
2-3 years
At this age, your child should be able to walk and run fairly well, climb stairs with support, and start to jump (even if it's more of a hop). Some kids are naturally more cautious or less coordinated than others, and that's okay. But if your child seems dramatically more unsteady than other kids their age, falls constantly, or avoids physical activities because of balance issues, ask your pediatrician whether an evaluation with a physical therapist might help.
3+ years
By this age, most kids can run smoothly, go up and down stairs, pedal a tricycle, and balance on one foot for a second or two. If your child is still falling frequently, has trouble with basic activities like walking across a room or climbing playground equipment, or seems to tire very easily from physical activity, talk to your doctor about whether physical or occupational therapy could help build strength and coordination.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your toddler is a new walker (under 18 months) and falls often but is making steady progress.
- Your child falls more when tired, rushing, or on uneven surfaces, but can walk steadily when calm and rested.
- Falls are getting less frequent over time as your child gains experience and confidence.
- Your child gets back up after falls, doesn't seem hurt or scared, and keeps moving.
- Your toddler is over 2 years old and still falls multiple times every day even on flat, familiar surfaces.
- Your child consistently falls to one particular side or in one direction.
- Balance seems to be getting worse over time rather than improving.
- Your child avoids running, climbing, or other physical activities that peers enjoy.
- Falls are accompanied by other concerns like delayed speech, difficulty with fine motor skills, or low muscle tone.
- Sudden onset of balance problems in a child who was previously walking well - this needs immediate evaluation.
- Balance problems are accompanied by weakness, difficulty waking up, severe headaches, or vomiting.
- Your child loses consciousness during or after a fall, or seems disoriented and confused.
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.