"Bowlegged"

Updated on April 21, 2009
J.B. asks from Pleasant Prairie, WI
13 answers

Hi Moms!

My soon to be 15 month old son has been walking since about 10 months. He seems to be a bit "bowlegged", walking much like a cowboy! I've received many comments on his walking and have talked with his pediatrician about this (at his 12 month well baby). His pedi said that it is common and most babies grow out of it. Their tendons are still "learning".

I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this and if it was something their kids grew out of? Is there something I can do to correct it? I do plan on talking to his pedi again at his 15 month well baby next week, but want some info before I go.

This doesn't seem to bother my son in any way. He is a completely active little boy who loves to run and walk and play. =)

Thanks Moms!

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So What Happened?

Thank you everyone for your thoughts! It is extremely helpful to hear from other moms in the same situation. It has definately eased my mind hearing from everyone. It will make it much easier to deal with the comments!

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C.W.

answers from Boston on

Hi there, my son also walked at 10 months and was bowlegged. He did outgrow this. (he is now 3) but he did trip often on his own feet. I also brought this to my pedi's attention but stated they no longer fix this as they outgrow this...and he did. I hope this helps.

C.

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V.W.

answers from Lewiston on

Hi J.,

My son had the same thing and my doctor mentioned it at his 9 and 12 month checkup. He said basically the same thing you are hearing, that they more often then not grow out of it and it's best to just take a wait and see attitude.

Interestingly enough over the past three months my son's legs have been straightening out quite a bit, and at his last doctor's visit (15 mth checkup) he made a sizeable jump on the growth chart.

I would just wait...like you say it's not bothering him and he will most likely grow out of it.

-V.

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K.W.

answers from Boston on

i have/had the same issue with my daughter. yes, i got comments on it and the who deal making me worry more. my dad kept saying she'll grow out of it. sure enough, they aren't as bad. she is an active 2yo. she had the misfortune of hurting her foot and ending up at the er and the a f/u with a orthopedic doc. we asked him about her legs and he said the same thing dad and the pedi doc said and that your doc said. she'll grow out of it. i know it's not easy to hear from someone else they are fine when others are making comments but.....you can always go to the orthopedic when he's almost 2 to ease your mind. it eased ours! good luck!

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B.B.

answers from Boston on

Hi!

Listen to your pediatrician! He will grow out of it. : ) My almost 3 yr old was incredibly 'dinktoed' on one side and my mother made a huge deal out of it but our pediatrician said the same thing yours did and in a matter of months he was walking like a pro. Hope this helps!

Barb

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M.B.

answers from Boston on

My son had this problem and it did actually work itself out. The reason my sons legs bowed was because he started to walk a bit late and his weight was a bit high. So his leg muscles had to get stronger to hold his weight. But while the bowing of the legs did correct we discovered he had an issue with his hips and knees which he sees a specialist for and also did some therapy which they taught me exercises to do at home which help tremendously. If the only thing you are seeing is the bowing it should correct itself as he builds his leg muscles. If you really are worried ask your pedi for a referral for a pediatric physical therapist. They can teach you a few things to do at home that will help strengthen his legs.

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K.E.

answers from Boston on

My older son had the same walk, and my husband was really concerned about it, but the pediatrician said the same thing yours did. My son is now 3 and has grown out of it. I wouldn't worry if your pediatrician isn't worried.

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K.A.

answers from Boston on

I was concerned too when my grandson started to walk. His legs were so bowlegged, from thigh to ankle was almost a circle. My daughter asked her pedi and she said that would grow out of it and he did. He is now 2 and his legs are perfectly straight. If you could have seen them before you would think he needed braces to straighten them so I am sure your sons legs will be just fine.

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T.A.

answers from Boston on

Good morning J.,

My daughter also walked at a young age and was bow legged. Her doctor also told me that her legs would straighten out as she grew. Her doctor was right. By the time she was 2, her legs were straight.

T.

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J.S.

answers from Boston on

my daughter was bowlegged and she is 11 now and walks fine its just something she did grow out of so dont worrie yourself he will be fine

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R.M.

answers from Boston on

very common. he will outgrow it. no need to worry.

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A.F.

answers from Boston on

J.-

My son was the same way and my pedi said the same thing. It's just how the "bones" formed in utero while he was all scrunched up. He is now almost 3 (in June) and it is almost completely gone. He is still a little pigeon-toed when he walks and runs but he will grow out of that as well. No worries!

A.

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M.K.

answers from Boston on

My daughter was bowlegged, she's three now and grew out of it a while ago. I think it's fairly common...

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L.M.

answers from Boston on

J.,

My doctor said they don't worry about a child walks until they are 3 years old. However talk to your doctor at your son's 15 month apt.

Leeann M

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