My Baby Is Walking on Their Toes
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.
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
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 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.
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.