Taking those first steps is a major milestone for kids and a wonderful life event to celebrate for parents. Once your child starts walking, there is usually no stopping them, and you probably enjoy watching each and every step they take. When you’re watching your child walk, it’s common to wonder if some of those traits like toe walking or having flat feet are just a part of life, or if it’s something you should keep an eye on.
In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some normal walking milestones and explain when it may be time to talk to your pediatrician or a foot specialist about your child’s gait.
Walking Problems In Children
Before we dive into the nuts and bolts of this blog, let us just preface this by saying that the majority of the time, the walking traits that you see in your child are little more than a passing phase. It’s wonderful that you are observant and alert of potential walking issues, but try not to get worked up about anything until you’ve had a potential issue confirmed by a specialist. We’re not saying that gait abnormalities do not exist, but oftentimes they are minor traits that your child simply grows out of. With that in mind, here’s a closer look at some common walking milestones in children.
Toe Walking – One common concern we hear about a child’s feet is that they are a toe walker. Toe walking is incredibly common in children, and it’s really not something to get worked up about while the child is learning to walk. If they are still doing a lot of toe walking after the age of three, it may warrant a conversation with their pediatrician.
Out-Toeing – This occurs when the child’s toes point outward when walking. In most children, any out-toeing resolves by the 18-month mark, and even after this point the only treatment may be watchful waiting unless the doctor feels that’s it’s being caused by something that warrants treatment.
In-Toeing – Conversely, in-toeing occurs when the feet point inwards, and again this is a common condition that most children simply grow out of. Like out-toeing, even if it’s not resolved by the 18-month mark, hands-on treatment may not be warranted for years or unless there is a serious underlying issue.
Flat Feet – Children don’t come out of the womb with a perfectly formed arch, so it’s common for infants to have very flat feet (and it’s also common for parents to be concerned about them). These “flexible” flat feet usually resolve by the time the child is six years old.
Limping – The only real issue on this list that warrants attention sooner rather than later is if your child is walking with a limp and didn’t just hurt their foot on the playground. A limp, especially if there is no obvious cause, could be a sign of an underlying disease or condition that is best addressed with professional medical assistance. If you notice that your child is limping or walking with a hitch in their step, reach out to their doctor.