My Baby Stands on Tippy Toes
The short answer
Many babies stand on their tiptoes when they are first learning to bear weight, and this is usually a normal part of development. Babies are experimenting with balance and leg position, and most will begin to put their feet flat as they gain experience and strength. If your baby can put their feet flat but chooses to stand on tiptoes, this is less concerning than a baby who seems unable to flatten their feet.
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
By Age
What to expect by age
5-8 months
When held in a supported standing position, many babies at this age stand on their tiptoes. This is extremely common and is considered a normal phase of weight-bearing development. Babies are discovering how their legs and feet work, and toe standing is part of that exploration. As long as your baby can relax their feet when not bearing weight and their ankles do not feel rigid, there is no cause for concern.
9-11 months
As babies begin to pull to stand and cruise along furniture, tippy-toe standing often decreases. However, some babies continue to stand on their toes intermittently, especially when they are excited or trying to reach something. If your baby can and sometimes does stand with flat feet but often chooses tiptoes, this is typically normal. If they exclusively stand on tiptoes and never seem able to get their heels down, mention it to your pediatrician.
12-15 months
Babies who are taking their first steps may stand and walk on tiptoes intermittently. This is part of learning to walk and usually resolves as their walking pattern matures. The key concern is whether your baby can flatten their feet. Try observing them when standing still and relaxed rather than during active play. If their ankles seem tight and they cannot get their heels to the ground even when calm, evaluation is appropriate.
15+ months
Persistent tippy-toe standing after 15 months, especially if your child cannot flatten their feet when asked or when standing relaxed, should be evaluated. Your pediatrician will check ankle range of motion and may refer to a pediatric orthopedist or neurologist. Common causes include tight Achilles tendons (which respond well to stretching), sensory preferences, or increased muscle tone. Most causes are very treatable with physical therapy.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby stands on tiptoes when excited but can and does put feet flat when calm.
- Your baby is under 12 months and alternates between tiptoe standing and flat-footed standing during supported play.
- Your baby stands on tiptoes when reaching for objects but bears weight on flat feet at rest.
- Your baby briefly stands on tiptoes on cold or unfamiliar surfaces as a sensory response.
- Your baby always stands on tiptoes and never seems to put their feet flat, even when calm and relaxed.
- Your baby's ankles seem stiff and resist gentle stretching toward a flat-foot position.
- Tippy-toe standing is getting more pronounced over time rather than improving.
- Your baby has rigid ankles that cannot be gently moved to a flat-foot position, combined with stiffness in the legs or other motor concerns.
- Your baby was previously standing with flat feet and has started standing exclusively on tiptoes, especially if combined with other changes in movement or behavior.
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.