[TarrahLovesHuLo]

I've googled it, and it says that infants will turn their legs out to help with balance when first standing or taking steps. My concern is that Hunter doesn't bear much weight, or for very long. It's only his left leg (not just foot) and it REALLY turns outwards when he's standing or stepping on it. Any one else's LO doing this?

Do you think it warrants an appointment with the doctor? Maybe I'm just looking for a reason as to why Hunter is soooo far behind what DD was at this age. Opinions/personal experience please!!

Yep, been dealing with it since she was 6 months. She's been evaluated and will be again at 12 months. My suspicion she will need an insert at some point. It's Kaileigh right leg. I've spoken lightly in the private area about it, so not many knew Kaileigh has it. Pedi said it *usually* corrects on its own but will take time as she ages to know for sure. We have to correct her when she stands like that. I have found shoes do help so I'm pushing her to always have shoes on just to have that support. On my phone, sorry if mistakes. I'll explain in detail more when I get on the computer.

[TarrahLovesHuLo]

Thanks Shannon. I'll take a pic and you can tell me what you think. It's pretty significant IMO.

[madelynsmomma]

I think that the fact that he doesn't put weight on it is of more concern than it turning out. It could be nothing, but if it were me I would get it checked out. At least they will have a baseline of how severe it is now so they can tell if it gets better or worse.

[Bridgett_H]

I don't really have any experience, but I would just have it looked at. To ease my mind if nothing else. I hope everything's ok. He's a precious baby!

[Hollybear]

I really don't know what you guys mean. I know that totally makes me sound like an idiot but I'm confused

Here is a video of Sophie taking a few steps:
YouTube - Sophie takes a few steps

Is she doing it?

Holly, no sophie's look fine (my opinion, Im not a dr ) I just took a quick video of Kaileigh I'll add in a minute.

Deleted pics

[starrsgirl]

Shannon...did the Dr. want her to wear shoes a lot? Again, I'm clearly not a doctor but from my background in corrective exercise, a lot of times you want to avoid shoes to help strengthen the foot muscles and lower leg. They don't have to work as hard in shoes. In other words, the shoes have a band-aid effect because they make it look better but don't change the underlying issue. Just curious for my own knowledge.

Liz, he was on the edge about it goes both ways. He said to mainly correct her no matter what but the shoes support her ankle's so he said to keep them on when she is actually walking, which she is taking 2-3 independent steps on her own with shoes, but with out shoes she cant. Basically he didnt really specify one or the other yet because he wants to see how bad it is at 1 to see what the next step is. He did check it out and her foot is not "stuck" in that position, she does it and seems to think it will correct itself sometime before 1 as he said a lot of kids have it. She also has "pigeon toe" really bad, and he said that usually disappears as they learn to balance. So really hes not worried about it yet which does make me feel better but my momma instinct says something is not right plus google doesnt help since it all says it usually corrects by approx 8 months in most babies, and well, she's over 10 months now, and its just as bad as it has been.

[starrsgirl]

Growing up, me and my 2 younger sisters were all extremely pigeoned toed. My youngest sister was the worst and I do remember her feet looking like Kaileigh's. They kinda went back and forth with us and whether or not to intervene. I remember, when I first started running in middle school, I would get bruises on my knees because they would hit together.

For us, we all straightened out quite a bit but not until we started putting on muscle (puberty). I think baby sister went to therapy a few times to work on walking form but it wasn't too bad.

Anyway, also what about physical therapy recommendations? Is that also to be determined at 1 year? Hopefully, it's something as simple as that!

Glad to hear her foot is flexible enough to get in the right position! Keep us posted. I hope it just self corrects over the next few months as she starts walking more and more.

PT will be determined at age one. He will refer us to "First Steps" which is an EI program in Indiana. They will evaluate for PT and OT and a bunch of other things and provide therapy in the areas she needs. Ill keep everyone posted. Im nervous but trying not to think about it often, and just trying to work with her and correct her as needed for now.

[TarrahLovesHuLo]

Thanks for posting that Shannon. Hunter seems to be similar, but his leg turns outwards. His ankles are pretty flimsy too. His leg buckles if he's standing for long, and it's usually just the one leg giving out.

It looks like Kai is standing a lot more then Hunter does. He really wants to stand and walk all the time, but hasn't got the coordination or stamina. I'm going to book an appointment. It might just give me peace of mind.

@Holly: Super cute video!! What sophie is doing was just what google was telling me. Basically they may turn their feet outward, or inward, to creat a wider center of gravity for balance. She is amazing. Great work mama!! I can't believe we have walkers! Makes me feel sad for Hunter to be behind, or physically delayed in any way.

[AmandaEliz]

Originally Posted by TarrahLovesHuLo

@Holly: Super cute video!! What sophie is doing was just what google was telling me. Basically they may turn their feet outward, or inward, to creat a wider center of gravity for balance. She is amazing. Great work mama!! I can't believe we have walkers! Makes me feel sad for Hunter to be behind, or physically delayed in any way.

Awwww... at 10 months(ish) I wouldn't consider Hunter physically delayed! Ethan walked at 10 months & everyone says "Oh my gosh, that's so early!". Avery will be 10 months tomorrow & I don't think she's going to be walking for at least another month or so. I think our walkers are just little over-achievers! Anyway, IMO, if you're really worried about it, call your Dr. I know as Mommies we worry about every.little.thing, but if you honestly feel something isn't right, trust yourself & set up an appt.

[TarrahLovesHuLo]

Yeah, I guess sometimes I just need to be reminded that he just isn't an over-acheiver. I'm also comparing to my DD who was just about to take her first steps by now, and was crawling and pulling up at 8 months old, and crusing within days of that.

[starrsgirl]

Just remember, most of these physical differences we are seeing now even out by the age of 2....many even out before that. So, in the long run, it doesn't really matter when they walk, as long as they do. It doesn't have long term meaning, ya know?

[Hollybear]

Ohhh okay! I didn't even realize that wasn't okay for babies, I just thought babies were all wobbly anyway.

Originally Posted by Hollybear

Ohhh okay! I didn't even realize that wasn't okay for babies, I just thought babies were all wobbly anyway.

Wobby is completely normal. What were talking about is the legs or in Kaileigh case her feet turning out. She's not like that at with shoes. She's only like that with out shoes, and we cant keep shoes on her 24/7. Kaileigh takes 2-3 sometimes more steps alone with out anything when she has shoes on but with out shoes she falls and her ankle tilts in.

Honestly, Im not worried she'll never walk because clearly she can with shoes but what is worrisome is the way it turns and it looks bad when it folds in, and thats why they are keeping an eye on it. Im also not worried IF she does need some type of shoe insert or support because my nephew needed them until he was 2, and my neighbor's DD has one.

[Genesis 33-5]

10 months is really early to walk, McKynlee is walking, but it is still only a very few and very wobbly steps at one time. I don't think Mylyn is ready (or wants to for that matter). McKynlee is by far out of all 5 of my kids, my earliest walker. My oldest DD was 1 (to the day) DS #1 was 15M and DS #2 was 13M. I just think it depends on the baby. As far as the foot turning out, I wouldn't stress it too much just yet. If their legs are the same length and there doesnt appear to be any obvious bone deformity, I would just give it some time (the caveat to that is I am a mega worrier and have a super hard time taking my own advice )