Growing Pains: When Leg Pain Is Normal
Growing Pains: What Ontario Parents Need to Know
When your child wakes up crying about leg pain in the middle of the night, your first thought might be growing pains. You're probably right! Growing pains are incredibly common and, despite the scary name, completely harmless.
What's going on?
Growing pains affect about 25 to 40 percent of children, usually between ages 3 and 12. The name is a bit misleading because the pain isn't actually caused by growing. Instead, it's likely related to all the running, jumping, and climbing your active child does during the day.
Think of it like how your muscles might ache after a workout. Your child's developing muscles and bones are working hard to keep up with their busy lifestyle. The pain typically shows up in the evening or at night because that's when their body finally slows down enough to notice the discomfort.
Growing pains tend to come and go. Your child might complain for several nights in a row, then be fine for weeks or months before it happens again.
What you might notice
- Pain in both legs, especially the shins, calves, or thighs
- Pain that starts in the evening or wakes them at night
- No pain during the day or during activities
- Your child can walk and play normally
- The pain comes and goes over weeks or months
- Massaging the area helps them feel better
What helps at home
The good news is that growing pains respond well to simple comfort measures. A gentle massage of the sore area often works wonders. Many parents find that rubbing their child's legs for a few minutes provides almost immediate relief.
A warm bath before bedtime can help relax tight muscles, or you can apply a warm compress to the painful area. If your child is still uncomfortable, children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help, following the dosage instructions on the package for their age and weight.
Sometimes just the reassurance and comfort of having you there is enough to help them settle back to sleep.
When to worry
Head to the emergency room if your child has severe pain, can't put weight on their leg, or if you notice swelling, redness, or a fever along with the leg pain.
Call your doctor or text Arlo if the pain happens during the day, affects just one leg, or if your child seems unwell in other ways. Also reach out if the pain is getting worse over time rather than staying the same or getting better.
The takeaway
Growing pains are one of those childhood experiences that sound scarier than they actually are. With some gentle care and patience, you can help your little one through these uncomfortable nights.
You can always text Arlo and talk to a provider in 5 minutes!
References
- [Growing Pains](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions-and-treatments/growing_pains) - Caring for Kids (Canadian Paediatric Society)
- [Growing pains](https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=312&language=english) - AboutKidsHealth (SickKids)
- [Growing Pains in Children](https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/growing-pains-children) - HealthLink BC