Walking Problems That Toddlers Have

Add as a preferred source on Google

Most toddlers start walking around their first birthday. There are upstarts and also slow walkers. It is alright for your child to start walking later than expected. You need not get hyper about it. However, if you notice any problem with the way your toddler is walking then you must be concerned. Many children have problems with walking. These walking problems could either be birth defects or just a peculiarity that your child displays.

Here is a list of common walking problems that toddlers have and how you can rectify them.

Walking On Toes: Firstly you have to notice if your toddler is walking on his/her toes consistently or just once in a while. If it is a one off thing then you can brush it off as mischief. But if it is a regular affair, then your child may have a short Achilles tendon that does not allow him/her to stand on a flat foot. You need to go to a physiotherapist and put the child through some stretching exercises.

Knock Knees: This is a condition in which your child's legs are slightly bent at such an angle that the knees knock against each other. Normally, most toddlers have knock knees while growing up, so you can know for certain only when the child is 4 years old. It does not mean that your child cannot walk but it will make him/her prone to injuries. This condition doesn't allow the child to be sure footed. See a doctor and find out if its a permanent problem.

Bow Legged: Most kids appear bow legged when they first start walking. By the time your baby is 2 this problem should be discernible. If the child stands with the toes forward and yet, his/her ankles remain apart, then it is bow leggedness. As the the process of the toddler's development goes on, the problem can correct itself. However if it doesn't, then a minor surgery may be required to set it right.

Lack Of Balance: This is a tricky walking problem because it can have many causes. It may or may not be a physical problem with the toddler's walking. Sometimes a child's head is too heavy and that is why the child keeps losing balance. At other times, the leg muscles can be weak. Even one leg is marginally shorter than the other, so the child will have difficulty in finding balance. There could also be a problem with the motor skills or hand-eye coordination of the child. In either case, you need to determine the cause of this lack of balance in depth and then treat it accordingly.

These are some of the common walking problems that toddlers face. Has your toddler faced any unique problem while walking? Do share with us.