Positional Talipes (Bent-in Foot)

A common, harmless foot position caused by being curled up in the womb — and the simple stretches that fix it.

Last reviewed: Reviewed 2026.04.20
Sources cited: 4 sources
Author: Dr Jubal John, FRACP
Category: medical guides

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Take-home

Positional talipes is a flexible inward and downward turn of the foot, caused by how your baby was curled up in the womb. Unlike true clubfoot, the foot can be gently moved into a normal position. With a few minutes of stretching at each nappy change, nearly all babies’ feet straighten completely by 3–6 months.

What is positional talipes?

When space is tight inside the womb (especially in first pregnancies, twins, or when amniotic fluid is low), a baby’s foot can end up pressed into an inward, downward position. After birth the foot looks turned in.

The key word is positional: it is a position, not a structural problem. The foot is flexible, pain-free, and moves normally.

How common is it?

Around 2 in every 100 babies (Pregnancy Birth and Baby). It is different from congenital clubfoot (talipes equinovarus), which is stiffer, affects around 1 in 1,000 babies, and needs specialist treatment with the Ponseti method (plaster casts and a small tendon procedure).

How to tell positional talipes from true clubfoot

Feature	Positional talipes	Congenital clubfoot
Foot position	Turned inward and down	Turned inward and down
Flexibility	Can be moved gently to normal	Stiff, resists movement
Calf size	Same on both sides	Calf may be smaller on affected side
Skin creases	Normal	Deep creases on inside of foot
Achilles tendon	Normal length	Tight, heel high
Pain	None	None (but cannot be straightened without treatment)
Treatment	Stretching at home	Ponseti casting (specialist)

Your paediatrician will check this at the newborn examination. Your midwife, GP or MCH nurse can also reassure you in the early weeks.

How to check at home

Support your baby’s leg with one hand just above the ankle.
With your other hand, gently hold the foot.
Slowly move the foot outward until it lines up with the leg.
Does the foot move easily and look normal? → positional
Does it feel stiff or resist? → book a check with your paediatrician or GP

Stretching exercises

Simple daily stretches are the main treatment, done little and often, most easily as part of each nappy change. How often to stretch, how long to hold, and how many to do are best shown to you in person by your physiotherapist or MCH nurse, and are set out in the official fact sheets linked below.

The basic idea

Lay baby on their back with their hip and knee bent.
Hold the leg steady just above the ankle with one hand.
With the other hand, gently grasp the foot.
Ease the foot slowly outward into a normal position, hold briefly, then gently ease it up toward the shin, easing, never forcing.

Baby should stay comfortable

Stretches should never hurt. If your baby cries or resists strongly, ease off. A small grizzle is fine; pain is not. If the foot will not stretch, ring your GP or paediatrician rather than pushing harder.

Helpful extras

Avoid tight swaddling around the feet, leave the ankles free
Encourage kicking during bath and nappy-free time
Stroke or tickle the outer edge of the foot to encourage outward movement
Choose loose sleepsuits that let the feet sit naturally

A full step-by-step routine is available

For the complete daily stretching routine, with timing, all three core exercises, progress milestones, and a fridge-sheet quick reference, see our Positional Talipes Stretching Exercises guide. It follows the Royal Children’s Hospital and Royal Women’s Hospital Melbourne protocols.

Expected timeline

What to expect

2 weeks: noticeable improvement in flexibility
6 weeks: foot spending more time in a normal position
3 months: most babies fully resolved
6 months: almost all cases resolved

Progress is gradual rather than day-by-day, so take photos each week if you would like to see the change.

When to seek help

Green — usually fine

On track

Foot moves easily with stretches
Improving with time
Reviewed at MCH and paediatric checks

Amber — be alert

See your GP or MCH nurse

No improvement after 4–6 weeks of daily stretching
Baby seems uncomfortable during stretches (not just grizzly)
Foot keeps returning immediately to the turned-in position

Red — act now

See a doctor urgently if:

The foot feels rigid and cannot be moved to a normal position
There are deep creases along the sole or inside of the foot
One calf is clearly smaller than the other
Any concern about the hips at the same time (DDH screening may be needed)

Long-term outlook

Virtually all babies with positional talipes end up with completely normal feet. Your baby will walk at the usual age, run, jump, play sport, and not need special shoes. There is no increased risk of foot problems later in life.

Summary

Key points to remember

Positional talipes is common, harmless, and not your fault
Gentle stretching at nappy changes is usually all that is needed
It is painless, never force the stretch
Most feet are completely straight by 3–6 months
Your baby will walk, run, and play normally