My daughter has short legs! should I be concerned?

[PavlovtheCat]

My 18mth DD is quite small for her age, always has been, but eats healthy, developmentally is beyond her age in most things, on target at the very least for everything. She is walking well, trying to run, which is comical, has some wobbles but nothing that seems out of character for her age.

She is growing steadily and is distinctly heavier in the last couple of days after a growth spurt. She has just gone into 12-18mth clothing, which is a bit big but 9-12 is getting too small.

Height wise, she is almost at 75centile, which is great! Although she is very slight with it, so looks smaller. However, her body seems to be the right size, she seems in proportion, but her legs are very short. they look too short. Her feet dont seem to be growing, she is still in size 3 shoes and we thought babies went through shoes like hot dinners?

Is this normal? Should I be concerned?

no, no one has looked at her hips- my sis works in stroke and my mum in blood transfusion so it's not their speciality. I know my HV would be dismissive and I feel like a neurotic mum going to gp cos I have already been about DD's tongue tie and constipation and they're not bothered. I forgot that is another reason for spina bifida connection- dd has had bad constipation since she was 8mo and screams nearly everyday when doing a poo.

soph, thats awful, she should be refered for that. My DD has been under a consultant for her constipation since birth pretty much, they can presribe some pretty high strength laxitives, your lo shouldn't be in pain.

Go to your GP and don't take no for an answer, I am so angry that us loving mums are made to feel paranoid and neurotic just because we think there could be something wrong.

I was made to feel like that with DS1, my GP actually broke down and cried when he was diagnosed with cancer! I think he had a full breakdown shortly after!

BTW, my best mates DD has tongue-tie, her GP has said she'll leave it for now and see if it affects her speech, if it does, they will worry about it then, she is 14 months old.

(it was my DS1 who was diagnosed with cancer, not the GP - just read back my post and it didn't sound that clear!)

loopylena- sounds like you have had a hard time, is your ds ok now? I did think for a second that it was your gp but then realised it was your ds.

I went to gp once for her constipation and they precribed lactulose which didn't make much difference. She is now taking Califig everyday which helps but doesn't solve the problem. she has a good varied diet. The reason they don't want to give her stronger laxatives is cos she does actually go most days, it's just they are huge and consistency of solid rock so she screams!

I was referred to consultant paediatric surgeon for her toungue tie who said it was minor and wouldn't affect her at all- he said it was normal that I hadn't noticed her sticking her toungue out ever as babies hardly ever do???? She was 9mths and I've got an older child and nieces and nephews so I knew he was wrong. She had had bf difficulties and weaning difficulties. She is now 18mths and speech is slow- she can say- ta, mama, dada and yeah, although she understands everything.

Anyway I'm just having a rant, maybe it is just her normal development.

You asked about DS1.

jack-ford.memory-of.com/

Be warned, most people who visit his site end up in tears.

loopylena- Jack is absolutely gorgeous and ,yes, I did shed a tear or two. Your ds2 sounds amazing, does he remember his brother?

He remembers he had a brother, although I think as he gets older, he has 'false' memories, he looks at photos, he asks questions, he doesn't want to forget him but now they are not true memories, if you get what I mean. He was only three when Jack gained his angel wings, so I guess his true memories are fading.

Time takes away a childs memories, but never those of a parent. I remember every moment of his life as if he will just walk through the door and he's never been gone.

Pavlothecat,

Did you ever get anywhere with your DD?

sound like my 1st dd she has caught up now i wouldnt worry too much

does anyone have a child with DDH (dislocated hips), my daughter is 6months old and as been in a splint since she was born im going crazy trying to find another mum in the same situation as me, would love to chat exchnge ideas etc

Mell81

My DD has DDH, she had 3.5 weeks in traction and closed reduction on 20th feb, she's now 17 months and in a Spica cast for a minimum of 3 months.

Check out the STEPS charity website, they have a forum for parents of kids with all sorts of lower limb disorders and there are loads of us DDH mums on there sharing tips and advice.