Baby cracking shoulders and ankles?

kjcb

Hi,

The last few days, my 3.5 month old has been cracking his shoulders a few times a day, and I've heard his ankles crack too.  He doesn't seem to be doinf it on purpose, and it doesn't seem to cause him any discomfort.  There's just a slight crack or popping sound when he moves in certain directions.  I will definitely bring this up at his 4 month appointment, but was wondering if anyone else was experiencing this?

Thanks.

wychets

Sometimes when I rubbing lotion on LO her arms crack...she doesn't seem to be bothered by it, but it did scare the heck out of me lol

earychener

At this age babies joints are mostly cartilage, not a lot of bone. Sometimes you can hear/feel "cracking" and it's the cartilage rubbing together. But if you feel more comfortable you can ask your pedi. (I'm a nurse practitioner that works in ortho).

jenb_99

Normal. Our babies get big doses of relaxin in utero, the same hormone that softens our ligaments and prepares our bodies for childbirth. It causes babies' joints to be very loose and flexible. The popping noises are probably pockets of fluid that get caught between the cartilage and forced out when the joints rub together. Same as when we crack our knuckles.

papillon21

My LO has been cracking since birth, and I was worried but it does not seem to hurt her at all and the Dr. said it's normal as long as she does not cry right after.

 FYI: my body has always cracked (my whole life, I'm 33), so I'm assuming she got it from me...