My Baby Has Very Flexible, Bendy Joints
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 has very flexible, bendy joints, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
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.
Key takeaways
- 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.
- Usually normal when: Hypermobility without pain.
- Call your doctor if: Full joint dislocation.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
“Supervised tummy time is recommended daily from the time the baby comes home from the hospital to help prevent flat head syndrome and to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles.”
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, NIH, CDC guidelines, 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. At 0-6 months, all babies are more flexible than adults. It can be hard to identify hypermobility at this age. If your baby seems unusually floppy, your pediatrician will assess whether this is hypermobility versus low muscle tone. It is generally considered normal when hypermobility without pain. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if full joint dislocation.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
0-6 months
All babies are more flexible than adults. It can be hard to identify hypermobility at this age. If your baby seems unusually floppy, your pediatrician will assess whether this is hypermobility versus low muscle tone.
6-12 months
Hypermobile babies may appear floppy and may sit and crawl later because their joints do not provide as much stability. They need stronger muscles to compensate for loose ligaments.
12-24 months
Hypermobile children may walk later and may be clumsier initially. They are working harder to stabilize their joints. Physical activity and play help build the muscle strength they need.
2-4 years
Benign hypermobility usually does not cause significant problems. If your child has joint pain, frequent falls, or avoids physical activities, physical therapy can help build stability. If joints dislocate frequently, further evaluation for connective tissue conditions is recommended.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed has very flexible, bendy joints and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if hypermobility is causing joint pain.
- Mention if motor milestones are significantly delayed.
- 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
- Hypermobility without pain.
- Meeting motor milestones, even if on the later end.
- Flexibility runs in the family.
- Child is active and enjoying physical activities.
- Hypermobility is causing joint pain.
- Motor milestones are significantly delayed.
- Joints seem to partially dislocate.
- Full joint dislocation.
- Easy bruising, fragile skin, or other connective tissue concerns alongside hypermobility.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice has very flexible, bendy joints — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that hypermobility without pain — 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 full joint dislocation.
Related Conditions
Low Muscle Tone (Hypotonia)
Low muscle tone means your baby's muscles feel less firm or their body feels "floppy" when you hold them. While it can sometimes indicate an underlying condition, many babies with mildly low tone do very well with support and strengthening activities.
My Baby Is Not Walking at 18 Months
While most babies walk by 15 months, the WHO considers walking alone as normal up to 17.6 months. If your baby is not walking at 18 months, your pediatrician will want to evaluate them, but many late walkers have no underlying issues. Babies who were premature, who are bottom shufflers, or who are more cautious temperamentally may walk later.
My Baby's Joints Click and Pop
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.
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 has very flexible, bendy joints normal?
When should I call the doctor about has very flexible, bendy joints?
When is has very flexible, bendy joints normal?
What causes has very flexible, bendy joints?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about has very flexible, bendy joints?
Is has very flexible, bendy joints normal at 0-6 months?
Is has very flexible, bendy joints normal at 6-12 months?
Should I go to the ER for has very flexible, bendy joints?
Does has very flexible, bendy joints go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Has Very Flexible, Bendy Joints.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed has very flexible, bendy joints and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if hypermobility is causing joint pain.
- Mention if motor milestones are significantly delayed.
- 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
- Hypermobility is causing joint pain.
- Motor milestones are significantly delayed.
- Joints seem to partially dislocate.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Full joint dislocation.
- Easy bruising, fragile skin, or other connective tissue concerns alongside hypermobility.
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
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Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of has very flexible, bendy joints are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if full joint dislocation.
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
Low Muscle Tone (Hypotonia)
Low muscle tone means your baby's muscles feel less firm or their body feels "floppy" when you hold them. While it can sometimes indicate an underlying condition, many babies with mildly low tone do very well with support and strengthening activities.
My Baby Is Not Walking at 18 Months
While most babies walk by 15 months, the WHO considers walking alone as normal up to 17.6 months. If your baby is not walking at 18 months, your pediatrician will want to evaluate them, but many late walkers have no underlying issues. Babies who were premature, who are bottom shufflers, or who are more cautious temperamentally may walk later.
My Baby's Joints Click and Pop
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.
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.