My Baby Favors One Leg
The short answer
Babies should use both legs roughly equally when kicking, crawling, and eventually walking. If your baby consistently favors one leg or seems to avoid using the other, it is worth having your pediatrician take a look. The cause is often something simple and treatable, like a minor hip or muscle issue, but early evaluation helps ensure the best outcome.
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By Age
What to expect by age
0-4 months
Young babies should kick both legs with roughly equal vigor and frequency. While it is normal for movements to look uncoordinated and asymmetric at times, a baby who consistently kicks one leg while the other stays still or moves much less may have a difference in tone or strength between the two sides. Also watch for uneven skin folds on the thighs, which can be a sign of hip dysplasia. Mention any consistent asymmetry to your pediatrician at your next visit.
5-8 months
As babies start to bear weight on their legs when held in a standing position and begin to push up from their tummies, both legs should participate. A baby who always tucks one leg under or avoids bearing weight on one side may have hip dysplasia, a difference in leg length, or asymmetric tone. Your pediatrician can check hip stability, leg lengths, and muscle tone in both legs and order imaging if needed.
9-12 months
Crawling and pulling to stand should involve both legs working together. A baby who "army crawls" dragging one leg, consistently leads with the same leg when crawling, or refuses to bear weight on one leg when standing may need evaluation. This is the age when hip dysplasia, if not previously detected, may become more apparent through movement asymmetry.
12+ months
Once your baby starts walking, a limp or consistent avoidance of one leg is a clear signal to see your pediatrician. While new walkers normally have an unsteady gait, they should bear weight equally on both legs. A limp that persists, worsens, or is accompanied by pain, swelling, or refusal to walk requires prompt evaluation to rule out infection, fracture, or joint problems.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby occasionally kicks one leg more than the other but uses both legs actively throughout the day.
- Your new walker has a slightly uneven gait that is improving over days to weeks as they gain confidence.
- Your baby leads with the same leg when crawling but uses both legs for kicking and weight-bearing.
- Your baby had a recent vaccination in one leg and is temporarily favoring the other leg.
- Your baby consistently kicks only one leg or avoids bearing weight on one side.
- You notice uneven thigh skin folds or one leg that appears shorter than the other.
- Your crawling baby drags one leg or always tucks it under rather than using it to crawl.
- Your baby or toddler suddenly stops using one leg, refuses to bear weight, or seems to be in pain when moving that leg.
- Your baby has leg asymmetry accompanied by swelling, warmth, redness, or fever, which could indicate infection or injury.
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
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Related Physical Concerns
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.
My Baby Only Army Crawls
Army crawling (also called commando crawling) is a completely valid and normal way for babies to move. Many babies army crawl for weeks or even months before transitioning to hands-and-knees crawling, and some skip hands-and-knees crawling entirely. What matters is that your baby is independently mobile and exploring their environment.
One Side of My Baby's Body Moves Differently
Babies should generally use both sides of their body equally. If one side consistently moves differently, is weaker, stiffer, or less coordinated, this warrants evaluation. Asymmetric movement can indicate hemiplegia (cerebral palsy affecting one side), brachial plexus injury, or other neurological conditions that benefit from early therapy.
My Baby Crawls Unevenly
While some variation in crawling patterns is normal, consistently favoring one side or dragging one limb while crawling warrants attention. Babies should use both arms and both legs relatively equally when crawling. Persistent asymmetry could indicate muscle tone differences, hip issues, or neurological concerns that benefit from early evaluation.
My Baby Still Has the Fencing Reflex (Persistent ATNR)
The asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR, also called the fencing reflex) causes your baby to extend the arm on the side they are looking toward. It should integrate between 4-6 months. If the ATNR persists strongly beyond 6 months, it can interfere with bringing hands to midline, bilateral hand use, and rolling. Evaluation is recommended.
Signs of Ataxia in Babies and Toddlers
Ataxia refers to wobbly, uncoordinated movements that result from problems with the cerebellum (the brain's coordination center). Signs include an unsteady, wide-based gait, difficulty with precise hand movements, and intention tremor (shaking that worsens when reaching for something). If you notice these signs, evaluation by a pediatric neurologist is important.