Little Gymnast’s Unusual Arrival: The Baby Born with ‘Chicken Legs’

Little Gymnast’s Unusual Arrival: The Baby Born with ‘Chicken Legs’

In a surprising turn of events, a newborn baby girl named Willow Flather-Paziuk astounded her parents and physicians with an unusual pose resembling a “ready-to-eat counter chicken.” Her mother, Lily Paziuk, 20, from Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, was taken aback when her daughter consistently covered her face during scan photos with her thighs, rather than her hands.

The infant’s legs were flung forward during birth, with her feet resting beside her shoulders, leading the medical team to affectionately nickname her a “little gymnast.” This incredible flexibility amazed everyone, and Lily was amazed by the sight of her daughter’s legs positioned in such an unexpected way.Lily shared her initial confusion, saying, “At first, I thought her feet were backward and wondered what was going on.” She playfully nicknamed her daughter “little chicken” due to the amusing resemblance to a roasted chicken. Thankfully, medical examinations revealed that Willow’s hips were unaffected by this uncommon position, providing reassurance to her concerned mother. Although Lily had expected her daughter’s legs to return to a more normal position after birth, she was surprised to discover that Willow continued to sleep with her legs out to the side, displaying the flexibility of a professional gymnast. Lily believes that her daughter might have become stuck in this position due to limited space in the womb to allow her legs to extend downward fully. During ultrasound scans, Willow’s feet were mistaken for covering her face, leaving Lily to realize the truth only after her daughter’s birth. The early days were filled with both amusement and trepidation for Lily. She was amused by the sight of her baby’s unique leg position but also concerned about the potential harm in attempting to change her diaper or dress her in regular baby clothes. The little one could only wear vests during this time as nothing else would accommodate her legs’ unusual positioning. Fortunately, after about three weeks, Willow’s legs gradually returned to a more conventional position, putting her mother’s worries to rest. Lily believes her daughter’s flexibility might indicate a promising future as a gymnast, and she cherishes the comical memories of her daughter’s “chicken legs” phase.
With Willow now doing well and her hips confirmed to be healthy, Lily appreciates the relaxing sleeping position her daughter still prefers, considering it a special blessing. As she continues to grow, “little chicken” will undoubtedly have a fascinating story to share about her unusual arrival into the world.

Nghia Pham