Why Parents Worry About Growing Pains
Your child wakes up in the middle of the night crying about leg pain. By morning, they're running around like nothing happened. If this sounds familiar, your child likely has growing pains — one of the most common causes of leg pain in children.
What Are Growing Pains?
Growing pains are real, recurring aches in the legs that typically occur in late afternoon or evening and can wake children from sleep. Despite the name, they're not caused by growth itself. They're thought to be caused by muscle fatigue from running, climbing, and playing during the day.
Typical Symptoms
- Aching or throbbing in both legs — usually in the front of the thighs, calves, or behind the knees
- Pain occurs in late afternoon, evening, or during the night
- Pain is gone by morning
- No swelling, redness, or warmth in the joints
- The child is completely normal during the day
- Pain comes and goes — some nights are worse than others
What Parents Can Do at Home
- Massage the legs. Gentle rubbing of the painful area often provides quick relief
- Apply warmth. A heating pad or warm bath before bed can soothe aching muscles
- Gentle stretching. Stretching the quads, hamstrings, and calves before bed may reduce episodes
- Pain medication. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen if pain is significant (never aspirin)
- Comfort and reassurance. Let your child know the pain is temporary and not harmful
When to Call the Pediatrician
See your pediatrician if the pain:
- Is in only one leg
- Is still present in the morning
- Causes limping
- Involves swelling, redness, or warmth
- Is accompanied by fever
- Is getting progressively worse
- Involves joint pain (not muscle pain)
Key Takeaways
- Growing pains are common, harmless, and temporary
- They affect both legs and happen at night — gone by morning
- Massage, warmth, and stretching are the best remedies
- See your pediatrician if pain is in one leg, causes limping, or has swelling
