Is it ok for a baby to be bowlegged when first learning to walk?

Question

I have noticed that many babies, on occasion, are bowlegged when they first are learning to walk. Is this to be expected and how soon does this issue correct itself? What should a caregiver do if the problem isn't corrected, say, after the first year of walking?

Just wondering because I have always noticed this and never knew where to begin a search to find an answer.

Answer 1

It is perfectly normal. My daughter is 19 months and she is still bowlegged. My son is 3 and he was and now he's not so it should just correct itself. It's useful to be bowlegged at first for balance. After a while it's not needed so it goes away.

Answer 2

My brother was bowlegged at birth and when he started walking the doctor made him put a brace on. It was a straight bar that attached to shoes he wore at night. He only wore the brace at night and for about a year. This was 18 years ago, so I am sure things have changed by now. But I clearly remember the doctor being concerned that if it wasn't corrected early it would never be able to be corrected.

Answer 3

It's normal but babies who walk too early, usually parents forcing them, can be extremely bowlegged and it may lead to potential problems. I would say my daughter was never really bowlegged. She is now 2 1/2 years old and perfect.

Answer 4

Most babies are bowlegged...necessity for them to fit in the womb. Usually by the age of 2 their legs are straight.

Answer 5

Normal. Just like a sailor walks bowlegged, cuz a ship is unsteady. The wee one finds the whole earth unsteady at first.

Answer 6

Yes. Most children are naturally bowlegged until about age 2. At that point, they're more steady on their feet and learn to walk with a proper gait. My children had tibial torsion and required braces and splints, but even now, they don't treat for that often anymore. If it worries you, mention it to your child's pediatrician.

Answer 7

All babies are born bowlegged. By the time they are truly ready to walk on their own it has almost entirely "corrected".

Answer 8

Culture may play a role, but you can only definitively give an answer to that by relying on cultural stereotypes. Thus, no. in a cultureless, even environment, they'd both learn to walk on the same time. IQ would play a higher role on that then any minor effects culture may have. Smarter

Answer 9

Most babies are bowlegged.... This is how they start out. Dont worry about it.

Answer 10

This is totally normal and they grow out of it in their 1st and 2nd year.
During the regular checkups the pediatricians look at the legs and hips. They would notice if the bending is unnormal. You can have an eye on it if it grows out, but it should.