My Baby Has Very Flexible, Bendy Joints
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.
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
By Age
What to expect by age
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
Worrying about your baby means you care. That is a good thing.
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.
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.