Baby Crossing Legs (Scissor Legs): Is It a Sign of Cerebral Palsy?
When you notice your baby crossing their legs, it can be concerning, especially if they look stiff or it happens often when you pick them up. In many babies, leg crossing is usually harmless and short-lived. But persistent "scissor legs" or tight crossing that's hard to separate can sometimes be a sign of hypertonia (high muscle tone), which may be seen in conditions like cerebral palsy.
Quick Answer: When Is Leg Crossing a Sign of Cerebral Palsy?
Leg crossing is concerning when the legs "scissor" (the legs extend, cross tightly, and seem "locked"), especially when you lift your baby under the arms or try to change a diaper. It's a bigger red flag if it happens alongside stiffness, delayed milestones, or one-sided differences in movement or posture.
Is It Normal for Babies to Cross Their Legs?
When Leg Crossing Is Harmless
In many babies, leg crossing can show up simply because they are:
- Stretching or experimenting with movement
- Very tired or overstimulated
- Reacting to being buckled into a car seat or moved quickly
- Tensing up their body briefly while crying
Note: If your baby relaxes afterward, moves both of their legs with a full range of motion, and is progressing normally with developmental milestones, occasional leg crossing is usually not a concern.
When Leg Crossing May Be a Concern
Leg crossing is more of a concern when it is:
- Frequent and feels stiff, not just occasional
- Hard to gently separate their legs or feels "locked"
- Happening with other signs of high muscle tone (hypertonia or spasticity)
- Paired with milestone delays involving rolling, sitting, crawling, or standing
Baby Crossing Legs by Age
- 0–3 months: Occasional crossing can be normal but becomes more concerning if stiffness is constant or the baby feels rigid.
- 4–6 months: Persistent tight crossing + clenched fists/high tone signs deserve a closer look.
- 6–12 months: Scissoring with developmental delays (such as rolling/sitting/crawling) is more concerning and should be evaluated by a pediatrician as soon as possible.
What Are "Scissor Legs" and Why Does It Happen?
"Scissor legs" is a pattern where a baby's legs extend and cross, often tightly, with their toes sometimes pointing downward. Children with cerebral palsy may also have a "scissoring gait" where their legs cross while walking.
This pattern is often caused by spasticity, where muscles stay tight during rest and resist quick movements, causing a baby to appear unusually stiff.
What Scissor Legs Look Like (vs Normal Crossing)
Scissoring: Legs extend out + cross tightly, toes point down, are hard to separate, and it repeats in the same situations (such as lifting up/diapering).
Normal crossing: Loose crossing, baby relaxes after moving, legs bend easily, and comes and goes.
Why Do Scissor Legs Happen in Cerebral Palsy?
In spastic cerebral palsy (especially spastic diplegia where the legs are affected most), certain muscles like the inner thigh (hip adductors) can become overly tight. That tightness can pull the legs inward and cause crossing or scissoring patterns.
Important: Scissor legs are not a diagnosis of cerebral palsy by themselves but rather a potential early sign of it, especially if it is seen with other developmental concerns.
Other Reasons Babies Cross Their Legs
Even when leg crossing looks odd, cerebral palsy is not the only possible explanation. Your pediatrician may evaluate your baby and find other potential causes, including:
- Temporary muscle tightness patterns during early development
- Positioning and comfort issues (car seat, tight swaddling, reflux discomfort)
- Differences in strength or movement patterns that improve over time or with therapy
- Neurologic or muscle conditions not related to cerebral palsy
Signs That Crossing Legs Could Be a Sign of Cerebral Palsy
Leg crossing when it is paired with signs of high muscle tone, asymmetry, or motor delays becomes a concern for cerebral palsy. If you notice several of these signs together, you should ask your child's pediatrician for a developmental evaluation.
Muscle Tone and Movement Signs
- Legs that feel stiff and are hard to bend
- Legs cross tightly when lifted up or supported upright ("scissoring")
- Toes pointing down frequently, especially when trying to stand
- Diaper changes are consistently difficult because legs won't relax
Developmental Delay Signs
- Trouble lifting the head during tummy time
- Not rolling by around mid-infancy
- Difficulty sitting steadily without any support
- Delays moving from sitting to crawling to pulling up to stand
One Side That Looks Different
- One leg seems much tighter than the other
- Your baby kicks more with one leg
- The body appears "twisted" or consistently turns one way
When Should I Call the Doctor?
Call your pediatrician soon if:
- Leg crossing/scissoring happens frequently and looks stiff
- Your baby feels stiff when you hold them
- You see significant motor delays, uneven movement, or unusual posture
- Feeding is difficult or tiring (especially if they are not gaining weight or losing weight)
Go to the ER or call 911 if:
- Your baby has trouble breathing or turns blue
- There are seizure-like movements, is unresponsive, or has repeated episodes of unusual behavior or movement
- Sudden floppiness or sudden stiffness occurs after an illness or injury
How Do Doctors Evaluate Scissor Legs?
A typical evaluation may include:
- Questions about when leg crossing happens (diapering, crying, being held upright, sleeping)
- A physical exam examining muscle tone, reflexes, posture, and symmetry
- Tracking developmental milestones and growth patterns
What Doctors Look For Beyond Leg Crossing
- Muscle tone in the hips and ankles
- The symmetry and pattern of kicks
- Persistence of primitive reflexes, such as the startle (Moro) or palmar grasp reflex (fist clenching)
- Milestone quality and how your baby sits and rolls (not just whether they do or not)
Depending on the outcome of the exam, your pediatrician may refer you to:
- A pediatric neurologist or a developmental pediatrician
- Physical and occupational therapists
- Early intervention services for treatment
How Can I Help My Baby at Home?
You don't need to "test" your baby aggressively, but it can help to:
- Keep a simple note of when leg crossing or scissoring happens and what else is going on (crying, feeding, being held upright, etc)
- Record short videos for your pediatrician which is often very helpful for evaluation
- Notice whether your baby is moving both legs equally during play
- Ask about early intervention treatment or physical therapy if you think something is off
Baby Crossing Legs FAQs
Written and Medically Reviewed by:
Cerebral Palsy Hub Team
Cerebral Palsy Hub was founded to help support children and their families with cerebral palsy and to create a safe space for those affected. We strive to provide the most accurate, up-to-date information, and tools to help give your child the life they deserve.
Last Updated: February 8, 2026
