My Baby's Joints Click and Pop
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, NIH, CDC guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about joints click and pop, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Joint clicking and popping in babies is very common and usually harmless. Baby joints are surrounded by developing ligaments and tendons that can create sounds as they move. The most important clicking to report is hip clicking, as it can indicate hip dysplasia. Other joint clicking is almost always benign.
Key takeaways
- Joint clicking and popping in babies is very common and usually harmless. Baby joints are surrounded by developing ligaments and tendons that can create sounds as they move. The most important clicking to report is hip clicking, as it can indicate hip dysplasia. Other joint clicking is almost always benign.
- Usually normal when: Painless clicking in various joints.
- Call your doctor if: Joint swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, NIH, CDC guidelines, joint clicking and popping in babies is very common and usually harmless. Baby joints are surrounded by developing ligaments and tendons that can create sounds as they move. The most important clicking to report is hip clicking, as it can indicate hip dysplasia. Other joint clicking is almost always benign. At 0-6 months, hip clicks are screened for at every well visit because they can indicate developmental hip dysplasia. Knee, ankle, wrist, and other joint clicks are very common and almost always normal in this age group. It is generally considered normal when painless clicking in various joints. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if joint swelling, warmth, or redness.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
0-6 months
Hip clicks are screened for at every well visit because they can indicate developmental hip dysplasia. Knee, ankle, wrist, and other joint clicks are very common and almost always normal in this age group.
6-12 months
Joints may continue to click as your baby becomes more mobile. As long as there is no pain, swelling, or limitation of movement, clicking is benign. Report any hip clicking to your pediatrician.
12-24 months
Active toddlers may have clicking joints, especially knees and ankles. This is normal. If clicking is accompanied by pain or swelling, evaluation is needed.
2-4 years
Joint clicking remains common and harmless in most children. Very flexible (hypermobile) children may have more frequent clicking. If any joint swells, locks, or is painful, see your pediatrician.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed joints click and pop and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if hip clicking, especially in newborns.
- Mention if clicking with loss of range of motion.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Painless clicking in various joints.
- No swelling or redness around joints.
- Full, pain-free range of motion.
- Clicking is intermittent, not constant.
- Hip clicking, especially in newborns.
- Clicking with loss of range of motion.
- Clicking that seems to be increasing.
- Joint swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Joint locking or inability to move a joint.
- Pain with joint movement.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice joints click and pop — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that painless clicking in various joints — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-6 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Provide plenty of supervised floor time and tummy time to support your baby's physical development.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if joint swelling, warmth, or redness.
Related Conditions
My Baby Has Very Flexible, Bendy Joints
Joint hypermobility (having very flexible joints) is common in babies and children, affecting 10-30% of kids. It often runs in families and is usually benign. Hypermobile babies may walk later and appear clumsier, but most develop normally. However, very significant hypermobility with pain or recurrent dislocations should be evaluated.
Baby Hip Dysplasia (Hip Click)
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a condition where the hip joint does not form properly, ranging from mild looseness to complete dislocation. It occurs in about 1 in 1,000 births and is more common in firstborns, girls, breech babies, and those with a family history. When caught early, treatment with a soft brace (Pavlik harness) is highly effective.
My Toddler Has Swollen Joints
Swollen joints in toddlers should always be evaluated by a pediatrician. While minor swelling after an injury can be normal, persistent or unexplained joint swelling may indicate juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), infection, or other conditions that require prompt treatment. JIA affects about 1 in 1,000 children and is very treatable when caught early.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is joints click and pop normal?
When should I call the doctor about joints click and pop?
When is joints click and pop normal?
What causes joints click and pop?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about joints click and pop?
Is joints click and pop normal at 0-6 months?
Is joints click and pop normal at 6-12 months?
Should I go to the ER for joints click and pop?
Does joints click and pop go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby's Joints Click and Pop.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed joints click and pop and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if hip clicking, especially in newborns.
- Mention if clicking with loss of range of motion.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Hip clicking, especially in newborns.
- Clicking with loss of range of motion.
- Clicking that seems to be increasing.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Joint swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Joint locking or inability to move a joint.
- Pain with joint movement.
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of joints click and pop are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if joint swelling, warmth, or redness.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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Related Physical Concerns
My Baby Has Very Flexible, Bendy Joints
Joint hypermobility (having very flexible joints) is common in babies and children, affecting 10-30% of kids. It often runs in families and is usually benign. Hypermobile babies may walk later and appear clumsier, but most develop normally. However, very significant hypermobility with pain or recurrent dislocations should be evaluated.
Baby Hip Dysplasia (Hip Click)
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a condition where the hip joint does not form properly, ranging from mild looseness to complete dislocation. It occurs in about 1 in 1,000 births and is more common in firstborns, girls, breech babies, and those with a family history. When caught early, treatment with a soft brace (Pavlik harness) is highly effective.
My Toddler Has Swollen Joints
Swollen joints in toddlers should always be evaluated by a pediatrician. While minor swelling after an injury can be normal, persistent or unexplained joint swelling may indicate juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), infection, or other conditions that require prompt treatment. JIA affects about 1 in 1,000 children and is very treatable when caught early.
Should I Use Adjusted Age for My Preemie's Milestones?
Yes — for premature babies, developmental milestones should be assessed using adjusted (corrected) age, not chronological age, until at least 2 years of age. Adjusted age is calculated by subtracting the number of weeks your baby was born early from their actual age. For example, a 6-month-old born 2 months early would have an adjusted age of 4 months, and should be assessed against 4-month milestones. Most pediatricians use adjusted age for developmental assessment through age 2-3, and for growth charts through age 2.
Baby-Proofing a Small Apartment
Baby-proofing a small apartment is absolutely possible and focuses on the same key safety principles as any home: securing furniture to walls, covering outlets, locking cabinets with hazardous materials, and ensuring safe sleep spaces. Small spaces actually have an advantage - there is less area to monitor. Focus on eliminating the most dangerous hazards first: falls, poisoning, choking, and burns.
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.