My Baby Is Walking on Their Toes
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 is walking on their toes, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Toe walking is extremely common when babies are first learning to walk and is usually nothing to worry about. Up to 5% of children toe walk at some point, and most outgrow it by age 2-3. It only becomes a concern if it persists past age 2 or if your child seems unable (rather than unwilling) to put their feet flat.
Key takeaways
- Toe walking is extremely common when babies are first learning to walk and is usually nothing to worry about. Up to 5% of children toe walk at some point, and most outgrow it by age 2-3. It only becomes a concern if it persists past age 2 or if your child seems unable (rather than unwilling) to put their feet flat.
- Usually normal when: Your baby just started walking and toe walks intermittently - this is part of learning to walk for many children.
- Call your doctor if: Your child was walking with a normal heel-toe pattern and has started toe walking - a change in gait pattern warrants evaluation.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
“Supervised tummy time is recommended daily from the time the baby comes home from the hospital to help prevent flat head syndrome and to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles.”
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC guidelines, toe walking is extremely common when babies are first learning to walk and is usually nothing to worry about. Up to 5% of children toe walk at some point, and most outgrow it by age 2-3. It only becomes a concern if it persists past age 2 or if your child seems unable (rather than unwilling) to put their feet flat. At 10-14 months, toe walking is very common in new walkers. Babies are experimenting with balance and figuring out how their feet work, and walking on toes is part of that exploration. As long as your baby CAN put their feet flat when standing still, occasional toe walking at this age is completely normal and expected. It is generally considered normal when your baby just started walking and toe walks intermittently - this is part of learning to walk for many children. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your child was walking with a normal heel-toe pattern and has started toe walking - a change in gait pattern warrants evaluation.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
10-14 months
Toe walking is very common in new walkers. Babies are experimenting with balance and figuring out how their feet work, and walking on toes is part of that exploration. As long as your baby CAN put their feet flat when standing still, occasional toe walking at this age is completely normal and expected.
15-18 months
Many toddlers still toe walk intermittently at this age, especially when excited, walking on new surfaces, or moving fast. If your child walks flat-footed some of the time and on toes other times, this is typical. If they exclusively toe walk and never seem to walk with flat feet, mention it at your next well visit.
19-24 months
Most toddlers have settled into a heel-toe walking pattern by now. If your child still toe walks most of the time, your pediatrician may want to check their Achilles tendons and ankle range of motion. Many children who persistently toe walk have "idiopathic toe walking" - meaning it's a habit with no underlying cause - and they respond well to stretching exercises or physical therapy.
2-3 years
Persistent toe walking past age 2 should be evaluated. Your pediatrician may refer to a pediatric orthopedist or neurologist to rule out tight heel cords, cerebral palsy, or sensory processing differences. The good news is that most causes are treatable, and early intervention (stretching, serial casting, or physical therapy) is very effective.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed is walking on their toes 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 18 months and toe walks the majority of the time.
- Mention if your child seems to have difficulty putting their heels down even when trying - their ankles seem tight.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby just started walking and toe walks intermittently - this is part of learning to walk for many children.
- Your toddler can and does walk flat-footed but sometimes goes up on toes when excited, running, or on cold/unfamiliar surfaces.
- Your child toe walks occasionally but has full ankle range of motion - they can easily put their feet flat when asked or when standing still.
- Your child is under 2 years old and the toe walking is intermittent rather than constant.
- Your child is over 18 months and toe walks the majority of the time.
- Your child seems to have difficulty putting their heels down even when trying - their ankles seem tight.
- Toe walking is getting worse over time rather than improving.
- Your child has other motor differences alongside the toe walking, such as stiffness, clumsiness, or frequent falling.
- Your child was walking with a normal heel-toe pattern and has started toe walking - a change in gait pattern warrants evaluation.
- Your child toe walks on only one side, or one leg seems stiffer or weaker than the other.
- Toe walking is accompanied by leg stiffness, pain, or your child seems to be losing motor skills.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice is walking on their toes — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby just started walking and toe walks intermittently - this is part of learning to walk for many children — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 10-14 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 your child was walking with a normal heel-toe pattern and has started toe walking - a change in gait pattern warrants 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 is walking on their toes normal?
When should I call the doctor about is walking on their toes?
When is is walking on their toes normal?
What causes is walking on their toes?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about is walking on their toes?
Is is walking on their toes normal at 10-14 months?
Is is walking on their toes normal at 15-18 months?
Should I go to the ER for is walking on their toes?
Does is walking on their toes go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Is Walking on Their Toes.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed is walking on their toes 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 18 months and toe walks the majority of the time.
- Mention if your child seems to have difficulty putting their heels down even when trying - their ankles seem tight.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your child is over 18 months and toe walks the majority of the time.
- Your child seems to have difficulty putting their heels down even when trying - their ankles seem tight.
- Toe walking is getting worse over time rather than improving.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your child was walking with a normal heel-toe pattern and has started toe walking - a change in gait pattern warrants evaluation.
- Your child toe walks on only one side, or one leg seems stiffer or weaker than the other.
- Toe walking is accompanied by leg stiffness, pain, or your child seems to be losing motor skills.
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 is walking on their toes are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your child was walking with a normal heel-toe pattern and has started toe walking - a change in gait pattern warrants 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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