Babies get kneecaps once they are around the ages of 2 years to 3 years old.
Babies are actually born without kneecaps and the kneecap which is also called the patella, develops gradually as the child grows.
kneecap development is also called ossification and begins around the time the baby grows and is in their toddler years of around 2 to 3 years old.
During the ages of 2 to 3 years old, the cartilage cells in toddlers knee area gradually turns into bone.
And by the age of 6 years old, most kids have fully developed kneecaps.
Babies are born with a soft, cartilaginous structure called the "patellar plate" which serves as a precursor to the kneecap.
The cartilaginous structure provides flexibility as well as protection to the knee joint during birth and early development.
And as the baby grows, the patellar plate will gradually turn into bone, which is called ossification to form the kneecap.
In rare cases, some babies might even be born with a congenital absence of the patellar plate, which is called "patellar aplasia."
Patellar aplasia can affect the knee joint's stability and function.