Why does my one year old constantly have her legs crossed?

Question

Not sure if this is something to be worried about but I just can't shake it off. My daughter (ever since I can remember) has been fixated on keeping her legs crossed at all times and when I try to uncross them (like I have been told to do) she cries or gets angry. She holds them very tightly together which makes it difficult to uncross to begin with. Well, recently she has started this behavior with her hands. She will hold them very tightly together and make a grunting type noise (like she is trying to have a bowel movement. Yet, she is not constipated???? She is very regular so I'm not really sure what this behavior is. Sometimes while she is doing this she will start sweating and doesn't respond to her name very easily. Does anybody know if this is normal???

Answer 1

It's normal for children to start crossing their legs and/or holding them closed when they are ready to begin potty training.  They are doing these things because they start to physically "feel" the need to go pee and aren't sure what to do or how to stop it.  

On the other hand, your child is very young so you might want to check with a doctor just to make sure it isn't the onset of something.

Answer 2

Have you told your doctor? Could be early signs of autism?

Answer 3

Don't know about the hand thing, but my son crosses his legs at the ankles all the time, especially when riding in his car seat.  As long as it doesn't affect her walking or any life function, I'd say that it's just her personality showing.  We look at our son doing it as if he's "chilling!"