On tiptoes

Q: My 18-month-old daughter constantly walks on her toes. Could this be doing damage and is there a way to get her to stop?

A: Many children do some of their early walking on their toes. The concern is that your daughter constantly does it. If she can stand with her feet flat when still, it is probably a habit and not a cause for worry. However, I would mention this to her doctor to make certain she doesn’t have tight Achilles tendons or any other tight muscles or tendons or neurological problems. If this is the case, therapy to address the problem is in order. This may be done by a number of specialists, such as an occupational therapist or a physiotherapist.