The Pediatrician Answers:

Bowlegs are a very common phenomenon, and parents worry a lot, usually because grandparents remind them of the days when children had to wear braces to "straighten out" their legs.

First of all, I would make sure your child's legs have been examined thoroughly by your pediatrician, as there may be some subtle causes of bowlegs that would require special treatment. Most bowlegs, however, are a form of tibial torsion. The tibia is the big bone in the lower leg, and torsion just means it is "bent," usually a reflection of how your baby was curled up inside your uterus during pregnancy.

Mild cases simply correct themselves once children start to walk, usually by the time a child reaches 2 to 3 years of age. Generally nowadays most orthopedic doctors rarely resort to braces or even special shoes, as most cases correct themselves.

Why are my baby's bowlegged? Is this permanent?

Most babies are born with curved or bowed legs. This is usually a result of the way they were "packaged" in the uterus. (You can see this if you try to fold your baby back into the position that she was in while inside of you.) When your child starts walking, somewhere between 9 and 17 months, the bones in her legs will start to slowly reform as old bone breaks down and is replaced by new bone in different places where it's now needed to support her weight. Usually within six to nine months of starting to walk, your child will have straighter legs.

Vitamin D: Good for your baby's bones

Why do I need vitamin D?

Your body needs vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, to maintain proper levels of calcium and phosphorus that help build your baby's bones and teeth.

How much do I need?

You'll need about 5 mcg of Vitamin D daily — about what you'd expect to get from a few glasses of milk — during pregnancy and while nursing.

Do I need a supplement?

Probably not. Vitamin D is added to milk, is readily available in fish liver oils, and you'll get plenty from being out in the sun for as little as 15 minutes a day. If you live in a geographic region where you don't see the sun for a substantial portion of the year (northern latitudes in Europe, for example) and you also rarely or never drink vitamin-fortified milk, your healthcare provider may recommend a supplement. Strict vegetarians who avoid milk, eggs, and fish may benefit from a supplement as well.

As with many other vitamins and minerals, getting too much vitamin D can be toxic. Always talk to your healthcare provider before taking any nutritional supplement during pregnancy.

What are the best food sources?

Fish liver oil, the flesh of fatty fish, eggs from hens that have been fed vitamin D, and fortified milk products and fortified cereal products are all good foods:

- 1 cup milk: 2 mcg

- 3 oz. herring (about the size of a deck of cards): 35 mcg

- 1 tablespoon cod liver oil: 34 mcg

- 3 oz. mackerel: 8 mcg

- 3 oz. salmon: 8 mcg

- 3 oz. bluefin tuna: 4 mcg

What are signs of a deficiency?

Vitamin D deficiencies are rare in Western diets. Since vitamin D aids absorption of calcium in the body, a deficiency undermines the body's ability to support its own weight. Children who don't get enough vitamin D can develop rickets or bowed legs; adults can develop bone pain or softened bones.