Bowlegs

[Lula's Mom]

OK, so my baby's lower legs are really bowed. I don't remember my other kids' being this curved, but I have a notoriously bad memory.

He just discovered that he likes to stand in my lap. His knees practically point out to the sides when he does, and his feet sometimes turn under so he is standing on the outside of his foot.

Does this sound like something unusual, or is he possibly still unbending from his time in the womb? Does your baby have straight legs?

[2boyzmama]

Gavin appears to have straight legs, but Ian was very bow legged. I pointed it out to his dr at about 2 months, she wasn't concerned. At 6 months I asked about it again, still not concerned. I'm looking at his 1 year picture hanging on the wall, and they were still noticeably bowed. But his 2 year picture they're straight.

We lived near the equator at the time, and he was born in March, so he got LOTS of natural Vit D, so we weren't concerned that it was a deficiency, he just got bowed in utero and it took a while for his muscles to strengthen to pull the bones straight. I can find a picture if you want to see for comparison.

[Lula's Mom]

That would be great, thank you! I'll take one of Cormac.

[2boyzmama]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...6&id=634508169

Here he was at 5 months old. You can see his left leg really well, if you look down at the ankle you can see the angle. It didn't stop him, he walked at 10.5 months old!

You might have people tell you that you shouldn't allow weight bearing because it will make it worse, but I was told that actually is opposite. Weight bearing will strengthen the muscles which will eventually pull the bones straight. I don't think you should force weight bearing, but if baby does it, let him! Follow his lead. And still show it to the ped, they may want to watch it and consider an ortho and/or PT referral if it gets worse or if he can't stabilize his ankles as he gets older.

PS...Ian *hated* shoes, and we lived in a climate where he didn't need them anyway (he didn't wear shoes regularly until we moved to Ohio and fall hit, so he was 18 months old or so) and I wonder if letting him go barefoot helped with the bowed legs. ??

[Lula's Mom]

Thanks, Samantha! I see what you mean. Here's one of Cormac (I took it diaperless because my friends say that it''s just his big cloth diapers keeping his legs apart and it's not that bad, but they really are the same when he's naked!)

My instinct was to let him stand, too. He really enjoys it, and I think the more practice he gets in keeping his feet in the right position, the better. Well, hopefully it'll just be fine as he grows!

[at_the_hip]

My most bowlegged baby had a severe vit D deficiency which led to her needing dental surgery at the young age of 2. So just a thought for you if you haven't supplemented with vit D and you are breastfeeding. My others were fine with the vit D supp.
kind regards,