Why Do Babies Bend Over and Look Between Their Legs?

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What your toddler’s pose means & if it signifies pregnancy

Co-authored by Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH and Devin McSween

Last Updated: August 22, 2024 Fact Checked

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Does this mean you’re pregnant?

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Why Babies Look Between Their Legs

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Potential Concerns

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Your baby does lots of funny things as they’re growing, with bending over upside down and looking between their legs being one of their sillier poses. According to an old wive’s tale, your little one might do this when they’re searching for a sibling, which can mean you’re pregnant! This is only one explanation, so keep reading to learn all the reasons your baby might strike this pose. While looking between their legs is normal and not typically something to worry about, we’ll also tell you when you might need to be concerned about this behavior.

Things You Should Know

It’s a popular superstition that a baby looking between their legs means you’re pregnant. While this is a fun theory, it’s not backed by scientific evidence.
Your baby might look between their legs to learn about how the world looks upside down or to discover all the ways their body moves and stretches.
It’s likely super fun for your toddler to look between their legs. They might also do this because they saw other babies looking through their legs.

Section 1 of 3:

Does a baby looking between their legs mean you’re pregnant?

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According to an old wive’s tale, babies do this to look for a new sibling. When your baby bends over and looks between their legs, it might look like they’re searching for something. Many people believe this means they’re looking for another sibling, which can be a sign that you’re pregnant or are going to be soon!^{[1]
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- While this is a fun explanation, there’s no scientific evidence that backs this theory up.

Section 2 of 3:

Reasons Why Babies Look Between Their Legs

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They’re exploring the world. Everything is new to your baby in the first few years of their life and they want to make sense of it all! When they bend over and look between their legs, they see the world upside down. Your little one is likely fascinated about this new perspective, so they might strike this pose in new spots to learn what things look like upside down and how they behave.
- Being upside down and looking between their legs can also help your baby’s brain development. Learning new things and gaining new experiences forms connections in their brain that help them grow strong and healthy.^{[2]
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They’re learning about their body. Crawling, jumping, twisting, and bending are all a part of your baby’s normal physical development. They’re still discovering all the neat ways their body can move! Your toddler might look between their legs to see how far they can stretch, what other body parts they can wiggle, and how to get right-side up again.^{[3]
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- Getting into yoga-inspired poses is beneficial for your baby because it helps them build balance and strength.^{[4]
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- Babies typically start looking between their legs around 15 to 18 months old, which is around the time they gain their balance and can run and walk.^{[5]
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  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
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It’s fun. Your baby is full of energy by the time they’re over a year old.^{[6]
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Research source} They love to laugh, so they might look between their legs because it’s silly to be upside down or because they like the dizzy feeling they get. Or, your little one might see it as a game, whether they’re pretending to hide from you or entertaining themselves by playing pretend!^{[7]
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- Bending upside down can also be a way for your toddler to get out all of their energy and exercise, just like running, climbing, and playing.
Babies and toddlers learn to speak, move, play, and interact with people and objects by imitating others.^{[8]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} So, your little one might see another baby look between their legs, be curious about what they’re doing, and try it out for themselves!^{[9]
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They like your attention. When your baby looks between their legs, you might gush over how cute they look, praise them for their strength and balance, or simply laugh at their silly antics. Your joy, attention, and approval make your toddler happy, so they’ll keep bending over to get your positive reaction.^{[10]
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- In other words, your happiness positively reinforces your baby’s behavior. The more you laugh and love on them for doing their silly pose, the more they’ll make it!
Your baby might bend over and look between their legs simply because it feels good.^{[11]
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Research source} It’s possible that being upside down reminds them of the position they were in in the womb, which makes them feel warm and safe.^{[12]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

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Section 3 of 3:

Potential Concerns About A Baby Looking Between Their Legs

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Visit your doctor if your baby shows signs of pain. Your baby looking between their legs is completely normal and not typically a cause for concern. Just monitor their behavior when they do this pose to make sure they’re happy and healthy. If your little one has trouble getting back up or shows signs of pain or discomfort, like grunting, crying, furrowing their brow, grimacing, or clenching their fists, talk to your doctor.^{[13]
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- Trouble sleeping and changes to their normal behavior can also be signs that your baby is in pain.
- If you can’t visit your doctor right away, distract your baby from their pain. Read to them, give them a toy to play with, or feed them a snack.
- Or, soothe their pain by applying a warm cloth or ice pack to the part of their body that hurts.
- Call your doctor before giving your child ibuprofen to relieve their pain. If they say it’s okay, follow the instructions on the packaging to give your child the correct dosage for their age and weight.^{[14]
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Consult your doctor if your baby’s spine looks curved. When your baby bends upside down, take a look at their spine. A healthy spine runs straight down and has slight curves at the upper and lower back. If you notice dramatic curving or a “C” or “S” shaped spine, talk to your doctor. This might be a sign of a spinal problem like kyphosis or scoliosis.^{[15]
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- Your doctor will work with you to diagnose any potential issues, which usually involves tests like X-rays or CT scans.
- If your child does have a spinal problem, your doctor will come up with a treatment plan. Depending on the issue, you might simply monitor their spine development or take them to physical therapy.