Normal Bowed Legs in Newborns
The short answer
Bowed legs in newborns and infants are completely normal and expected. This is called physiologic bowing and results from the curled-up position your baby was in inside the womb. The legs gradually straighten on their own as your child grows and begins to walk, typically by age 2-3. No treatment is needed for normal physiologic bowing.
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
By Age
What to expect by age
It is completely normal for your newborn's legs to appear bowed or curved. After spending months curled up in the womb, the legs maintain this position after birth. You may also notice that the feet turn inward or outward, which is also related to positioning in the womb. These positional deformities gradually self-correct without any intervention.
The bowed appearance of the legs continues and is still perfectly normal. As your baby kicks and stretches, the legs will gradually begin to straighten. The feet may also still appear turned in or out. No braces, special shoes, or treatment is needed for physiologic bowing.
You may notice the legs becoming gradually straighter as your baby becomes more active and starts bearing weight during tummy time and supported standing. The bowing remains a normal finding at this age.
As your baby begins to pull to stand and cruise, some bowing is still normal. The legs typically straighten by age 18-24 months. If the bowing appears to be getting worse rather than better, is asymmetric (one leg more bowed than the other), or your child is limping, consult your pediatrician to rule out other conditions like Blount disease or rickets.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Both legs appear symmetrically bowed in a newborn or young infant
- The bowing gradually improves as baby grows and becomes more active
- Baby moves both legs equally and does not appear to be in pain
- No swelling, redness, or tenderness of the legs or knees
- Bowing seems to be worsening after age 18 months rather than improving
- The bowing is asymmetric (one leg more affected than the other)
- Your child has started walking but the bowing seems excessive
- Sudden new bowing of one or both legs with pain, swelling, or refusal to bear weight
- Severe bowing with a limp or difficulty walking, which could indicate Blount disease or metabolic bone disease
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
My Baby Looks Bowlegged
Almost all babies are born with bowlegs because of how they were curled up in the womb. This is completely normal and usually corrects itself by age 2-3 as your child grows and starts walking. True bowleggedness that needs treatment is rare and usually only a concern if it's severe, gets worse over time, or affects just one leg.
Overlapping or Curled Toes in Newborns
Overlapping or curled toes in newborns are very common and usually harmless. They are often caused by the baby's position in the womb and typically straighten out on their own as the child grows and begins walking. The fifth (pinkie) toe overlapping the fourth toe is particularly common and rarely requires treatment.
Hip Clicks During Diaper Changes
Soft clicking sounds from your baby's hips during diaper changes or leg movements are very common and usually harmless. These clicks are typically caused by ligaments and tendons snapping over the joint and are different from a true hip "clunk," which may indicate hip instability. Your pediatrician checks the hips at every well-child visit.
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.