Toddlers Keep Falling a Lot – Why and When Will the Balance Improve

Toddlers are still learning to control their muscle movements, get a good balance and coordinate movements between their brains and limbs. It is a development phase and they will fall frequently in this stage. Very rarely these falls could be due to a health issue that requires medical intervention.

What Causes Frequent Falls in Toddlers?

If your toddler is falling frequently, it need not be a serious or a neurological issue, it could also be due to any of the following reasons-

1. Ill-Fitting Shoes

If their shoes are too tight or even just a little loose, it can affect their balance while running. Wrong-size shoes can trip your toddler and make them fall frequently.

2. Growth Spurt

When a toddler is going through a growth spurt, they may need some time to develop their center of balance according to the changing weight and size. They may fall a few times until they learn how to balance their changing body.

3. Misstep

Toddlers are not cautious like adults. They don’t fear falling or getting hurt. If you notice, your toddler’s body alignment while running will be very different from your body’s alignment when running. So, they tend to move their little feet very fast and trip over their own feet.

4. Misjudgment

Another reason why toddlers keep falling is that toddlers’ sense of distance, proximity, and spatial awareness is just developing. As a result, they cannot judge the proximity of the objects around them. They may run and bump into multiple surfaces and fall repeatedly. It is just a misjudgment of the distance between them and the objects around them.

5. Vision Issues

If your toddler seems to run into things frequently, it could be due to an issue with their vision. It is essential to check with an ophthalmologist to rule out any vision problems. Some babies are born with vision issues which become evident only when the baby starts moving around.

6. Ear Problems

The inner ear is responsible for maintaining a sense of balance. A problem in the ear can affect the signal transmission between the brain and muscles regarding balance. If your toddler is pulling on their ear, or complaining of ear pain along with a lack of coordination or balance, it could indicate an inner ear problem.

When Do Toddlers Start Falling?

Sometimes you may notice the lack of coordination in your baby at a very young stage. The clumsiness or the falling frequently part starts only when your toddler starts moving. All toddlers fall a lot before they learn to walk and move well. Their bodies are learning to use the limbs and muscles to maintain their balance and support their weight. So, if your toddler starts falling around the 18 months mark, you need not worry unnecessarily.

What to Do When Your Toddler Falls?

The most natural reaction when a toddler falls is to panic and rush to their aid. It is important to let your toddler explore their surroundings and develop an understanding of their own body and surroundings.
Next time your toddler falls, try the following-

• Just wait and let them pick themselves up and move again
• Baby-proof sharp edges to prevent injuries
• Keep the floor clear of things they can trip over
• Acknowledge the fall and encourage them to get up and move on
• Reassure your toddler they can do better next time and it’s okay to fall

Top 5 Tips to Prevent Your Toddler From Tripping and Falling

No parent wants to watch their toddler fall repeatedly. Here are 5 tips to effectively prevent your toddler from tripping and falling regularly-

1. Buy The Right Shoes

Ensure your toddler is wearing shoes of the right size. Even a size smaller than their actual size can trip them. Invest in shoes with adjustable closures, you can ensure the shoe is tight and not loose at all times.

2. Let Them Run Free

Let your toddler run around and develop both balance and awareness. They are not going to move better by just sitting safely. Let them run around in open spaces where the dangers of getting hurt are lesser.

3. Encourage Movement

Don’t ask your toddler to sit in one place at all times. Encourage them to move around on different surfaces, to help improve their sense of balance.

4. Check Their Eyes and Ears

Check if their eyesight and ears are okay. A specialist can rule out any issues in either of these body parts.

5. Rule Out Deficiencies

Vitamin E deficiency can affect your toddler’s sense of coordination. If your toddler is a premature baby, has low birth weight, or is below average on the growth chart, you may want to rule out deficiencies that might affect their muscular development.

When Do Balance Problems Improve in Toddlers?

A toddler’s balance will improve as they grow and get familiar with the movement. The more they move, the more their center of gravity will develop. Over time, they will learn to move steadily without tripping or falling even during their growth spurts. Toddlers will have a better balance and control over their movements when they are around 5 years of age.

When to Consult a Doctor?

Though a toddler falling repeatedly is nothing to worry about, you may want to consult a doctor if you notice the following-

• Your child seems to favor one side with their movements
• They tilt their heads to one side when they walk or run around
• They are reluctant to try new gross or fine motor skills like buttoning their shirts or riding a bike like other kids their age
• They keep pulling at their ear or crying in pain
• They seem to struggle with their vision (difficulty in seeing bright lights, intricate patterns, and depth perception)
• Seems very clumsy, complains of pain, or starts vomiting after a fall

A toddler falling repeatedly may be nothing. All toddlers go through a stage of imbalance and lack of coordination. However, if your toddler seems to have difficulty in doing other physical activities for their age, you need to pay closer attention and might need to visit a doctor to rule out an issue, at the earliest.

FAQ’s

1. What Deficiency Causes Clumsiness in Toddlers?

Hypothyroidism or Vitamin E deficiency can affect your toddler’s coordination. Vitamin D deficiency can impact bone formation or even cause neurological disorders which can in turn affect movement.

2. Is Dyspraxia the Reason For My Toddlers’ Repeated Falls?

Dyspraxia is a rare genetic disorder. Unless you have a history of this disorder in your family, you need not worry about your toddlers’ falls. If you notice any red flags, check with a doctor before concluding anything.