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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask if your baby's leg fat folds are symmetrical?!

90 replies

Hallomother · 07/05/2020 13:57

This might sound mad but after talking to a friend, I've noticed that baby DS has asymmetrical fat folds on his delicious chubby legs.
His legs are the same length, feet same size, no problems straightening or us pushing them gently up to his chest/cycling his legs etc.

One of the legs is slightly chubbier and has a bigger knee fold that the other, if you see what I mean. Apparently this can be an indicator of hip displaysia (not sure if I've spelt that correctly) and he was breech, but he had a hip ultrasound at 6 weeks and had all his rotations checked at 8 weeks and all came back clear.

Just wondered if this is common or not? I hadn't noticed previously but from pics it seems like he's always had it, even when he was very very tiny and barely had any fat on him!

Also, how deliciously squishable are baby legs?!

OP posts:
SporadicNamechange · 07/05/2020 14:02

Human bodies just aren’t symmetrical.

Try not to worry. Your LO has had his hips checked and is moving well, so there’s no reason to worry about it based on leg folds.

SporadicNamechange · 07/05/2020 14:02

And yes, baby legs are adorable.

ScarfLadysBag · 07/05/2020 14:04

Yes! I noticed this with my DD. She had an extra roll on one side Grin Not sure if it's still the case.

FlibbertyGiblets · 07/05/2020 14:04

Oh my gosh don't you just want to squish those legs? [Heart eyes]

ScarfLadysBag · 07/05/2020 14:05

She's met all her gross motor milestones btw and is currently walking around waving a piece of cheese so I wouldn't worry Smile Baby bodies are odd things.

Original poster
Hallomother · 07/05/2020 14:06

I do flibberty having to resist currently as he's napping and I MUST NOT WAKE THE SLEEPING BABY

it would never have occurred to me that it was a thing until i noticed!

OP posts:
Original poster
Hallomother · 07/05/2020 14:06

thank you scarflady

OP posts:
bluefoxmug · 07/05/2020 14:07

very cute baby.

have the hips been checked?
asymmetric folds could be a sign of hip displasia.

sleepwhenidie · 07/05/2020 14:08

Oh yum, squishy baby legs Smile

I’m 99% sure my 3 DC’s baby folds weren’t symmetrical, they are now 10,11 and 14 with bodies as symmetrical as any others (ie not 100% but fine) please don’t worry.

pinguwings · 07/05/2020 14:10

Asymmetrical rolls can be an indicator of hip dysplasia. Both of my girls had dysplasia. DD2 was initially given the all clear after her scan but I brought her back after noticing asymmetrical rolls and slightly less mobility in her right hip. She then had 6 weeks of treatment How long ago was he checked? Worry contacting your GP.

mynameiscalypso · 07/05/2020 14:12

DS is currently asleep and wearing trousers otherwise I'd check his deliciously chubby legs (incidentally, we also have that vest set!). But I know that I did spend some irrational days worrying that his eyelashes weren't symmetrical. As PP says, I think bodies are just funny like that. DS definitely favours one side when he's rolling/dragging himself around so might it be something like that?

Original poster
Hallomother · 07/05/2020 14:15

@pinguwings a couple of months ago now

@mynameiscalypso its such a cute summer set!he's only done a couple of rolls from front to back so isn't really moving yet, but will happily pull his legs up, stretch them out etc

OP posts:
Original poster
Hallomother · 07/05/2020 14:15

also, I had to smile at the eyelashes calypso the things we fixate on!

OP posts:
DontStandSoCloseToMe · 07/05/2020 14:18

DS was scrawnier when tiny but the health visitor noted a symmetrical creases on the back of his thighs, he was checked by GP who said 75% of the cases referred to him by health visitors are not dysplasia, DS had no clicking, no dominance of one leg over the other etc. He sent us for the scan to reassure is. There was nothing wrong at all. He was learning to crawl when his were noticed GP said or was likely to do with how his crawling was not quite there and a bit out of sync causing the difference. Worth getting it checked though

Original poster
Hallomother · 07/05/2020 14:20

I might get it checked as he's only four and a half months so not crawling or anything yet, so can't be caused by that. Plus if it is a hip problem best to get it sorted early I'm guessing. I just didn't want to make an unnecessary GP call at the moment if it was one of those mad mum things (I've had plenty of those!) which aren't actually anything but tired anxiety!

OP posts:
bluefoxmug · 07/05/2020 14:21

was the the manual check or ultra sound?
tbh I would see the gp again, if treated early hip displasia is easier to treat.

Original poster
Hallomother · 07/05/2020 14:22

Manual at 8 weeks, ultrasound at 6

OP posts:
Original poster
Hallomother · 07/05/2020 14:28

@pinguwings did your DDs legs look similar?

OP posts:
Doodar · 07/05/2020 14:45

ooh, I could squeeze him.

ButterbuttSquash · 07/05/2020 14:47

Yes, my baby’s were the same. Still are at 15 months. I hadn’t really noticed it until she went for a scan for possible hip dysplasia and the doctor pointed it out. She’s fine though, nothing to worry about. Her chubby legs are just as delicious as symmetrical ones. Smile

Original poster
Hallomother · 07/05/2020 15:06

thanks @butterbuttsquash

i know @doodar they are utterly delicious

OP posts:
TattyDevine · 07/05/2020 15:16

Can you send me one of them to munch on? 🤩

Don't worry about it, I'm sure my roller poley pudding of a DD had one leg more munchable than the other

GrumpyHoonMain · 07/05/2020 15:19

People usually do have one leg or arm that’s slightly muscular / bigger than the other. Are her arm folds assymetrical too?

Original poster
Hallomother · 07/05/2020 15:33

I think he has a slight extra crease on the arm on the same side @grumpyhoonmain I'll have a look when he wakes up, but nowhere near the extent of the leg differences

@tattydevine i'm not sure there will be anything left once I've finished munching :D

OP posts:
lollipoplola · 07/05/2020 15:35

As a pp said it could be a sign of hip dysplasia. DD3 had treatment in a harness but her leg folds (huge) are/were symmetrical. If you've had a hip ultrasound I wouldn't worry about it. Also not sure they'd see you now as our follow up ultrasound has been cancelled, x-ray later in the year instead.