Observe whether the child: rests legs with their hips open while lying on their back
Three ways this behaviour shows up as a child grows. Each level includes everyday moments to watch for.
Your baby is beginning to relax their legs outward while lying on their back, but the position may come and go or appear only when they are very calm.
What you might see
Your baby rests legs with their hips open while lying on their back, showing a relaxed early lying posture during calm moments.
What you might see
Your baby naturally settles with hips open while lying on their back across different routines, such as diaper changes, floor time, or getting dressed.
What you might see
Small everyday moments where you can notice this behaviour without setting up anything special.
During a diaper change, notice whether your baby's legs naturally rest with the hips open while lying on their back.
During calm floor time, watch whether the legs relax outward without you placing them there.
Notice whether this position appears only briefly or stays relaxed for a little while.
The dataset source and any supporting developmental research.
Stenhaug, B., Ram, N., & Frank, M. C. (2021). The Stanford SHQ: A measure of early developmental milestones.
This item asks parents to observe the baby's leg and hip posture while lying on the back.
Piper, M. C., & Darrah, J. (1994). Motor Assessment of the Developing Infant.
Early infant motor assessment includes observation of posture and symmetry in positions such as lying on the back.
