Observe whether the child: raises their legs about 4 in. from the ground while lying face up
Three ways this behaviour shows up as a child grows. Each level includes everyday moments to watch for.
Your child is beginning to lift their legs while lying on their back, but the movement may be small, brief, or happen only when they are active or encouraged.
What you might see
Your child raises their legs about 4 in. from the ground while lying face up, showing this movement clearly and more than once during normal awake time.
What you might see
Your child lifts their legs while lying face up in a lively, self-started way and may repeat or vary the movement during play, diaper changes, or relaxed floor time.
What you might see
Small everyday moments where you can notice this behaviour without setting up anything special.
During a diaper change or floor time, notice whether your child lifts their legs while lying on their back.
When your child is awake and calm, watch whether both legs come up about 4 inches from the surface.
Notice whether the leg lift happens on its own or mostly after you talk to or touch your child.
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 comes directly from the SHQ prompt asking whether the child raises their legs about 4 inches while lying face up.
Bayley, N., & Aylward, G. P. (2019). Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Fourth Edition. Pearson.
Early infant motor assessment commonly looks at simple antigravity movements while the baby is lying on their back.