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What Are Growing Pains in Children?

Growing pains in children are a common cause of leg pain in young kids, typically between the ages of 3 and 12. Despite the name, these pains are not actually caused by growth – the term has just stuck over time. They are generally harmless and tend to go away on their own as a child gets older. Parents often notice them as episodes of aches or throbbing pain in their child’s legs, usually later in the day or at night.

Imagine your little one had a busy day of running around the playground. Then, just as you’re tucking them into bed, they start complaining, “My legs hurt!” This scenario is very common. Growing pains typically affect both legs (often in the thighs, calves, or behind the knees) and often strike in the late afternoon, evening, or at night. By morning, the pain is usually gone and your child is back to their energetic self.

Importantly, growing pains don’t cause any swelling, redness, or limp during the day. They do not damage the bones or muscles, and there are no long-term negative effects. In fact, up to half of all children may experience growing pains at some point, so if your child has them, you’re certainly not alone. It’s a phase many kids go through, and they eventually outgrow these pains.

How to Recognise Growing Pains

When your child wakes up crying at night because of sore legs, it can be distressing. So how can you tell if it’s “just” growing pains and not something more serious? Look for these common signs of growing pains in children:

• Timing: The pain usually occurs in the late day or nighttime, often around bedtime or in the middle of the night, and goes away by morning. Your child is typically pain-free and active as normal during the day.
• Location of Pain: Growing pains are felt in muscles, not joints. Kids often feel an aching or throbbing in the lower legs – for example, in the calves, shins, or behind the knees. Both legs tend to hurt (pain is often bilateral, affecting both the left and right legs).
• No Visible Signs: There is no swelling, redness, rash, or bruising associated with growing pains. The legs look normal, and gentle pressing on the area doesn’t make the pain worse (since it’s more of a deep ache).
• Activity Level: Many parents notice these aches on days when their child has been extra active – running, jumping, and playing sports. All that kid energy during the day might lead to more aches at night. However, the pain does not limit your child’s ability to run and play normally during the day. They won’t start limping or avoiding activities because of growing pains alone.
• Frequency: Growing pains tend to come and go. Your child might have painful nights for a few days in a row, then no pain at all for weeks. These pains can recur on and off over months or even years until they eventually stop completely.

One key thing to remember is that if the pain is in one leg only, or if it continues into the daytime, it might not be growing pains. Likewise, joint pain (for example, in the knee or ankle itself) is not typical of growing pains. In such cases, you should consider consulting a doctor to check for other causes.

Why Do Growing Pains Happen?

Despite the name, growing pains aren’t directly caused by growth spurts or the bones getting longer. Doctors and researchers haven’t pinned down an exact cause for growing pains yet. The good news is that whatever the cause, these pains are not a sign of any serious illness or injury.

Several theories exist. One popular idea is that active children might experience these pains due to muscle fatigue. Think of it as the muscles complaining after a full day of adventure and play. Kids with very flexible joints (sometimes called hypermobility) seem to report growing pains more often. Some studies have looked at vitamin D levels, but results are mixed – it’s not a clear cause in most cases.

The term “growing pains” stuck around because people long believed these aches were linked to growth spurts. While this hasn’t been fully proven medically, many parents report that their child’s pains seem to happen just before noticeable growth spurts – like needing new shoes or outgrowing trousers overnight. This common pattern has led many parents to trust their instincts and see the timing as more than coincidence. So while it’s not yet backed by conclusive research, anecdotal evidence supports the idea that a connection to growth could be part of the story.

Regardless of the exact cause, it’s important to remember that growing pains in children are benign. They don’t cause any deformities or affect your child’s growth. Your child will still grow normally, and the pains will eventually pass.

How to Help Soothe Growing Pains at Home

When your child is in pain, even if it’s harmless, you want to help them feel better. Fortunately, there are several gentle, effective ways to ease growing pains at home. Here are some parent-tested tips to manage the discomfort:

• Gentle Massage: Rub your child’s legs where it hurts. A calm, gentle massage can help relax the muscles and soothe the ache. Often, the comfort of a parent’s touch itself works wonders.
• Warmth and Comfort: Apply a warm heat pack or a covered hot water bottle to the painful area. Warmth can relax tight muscles. Some parents find that a warm bath before bedtime also helps prevent pain by relaxing the child’s muscles ahead of the night. You can try adding magnesium flakes, as this can make a huge difference.
• Pain Relief Medication: If the pains are really bothering your little one, you can consider giving an age-appropriate pain reliever. Children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen can help ease the pain. Always follow the dosing instructions on the label or as given by your GP.
• Stretching Exercises: Encourage some gentle stretching of the legs in the evening. Simple calf stretches or toe-touching stretches (made into a fun game) can loosen up tight muscles.
• Cuddles and Reassurance: Never underestimate the power of comfort. Snuggle your child and reassure them that the pain will go away. Let them know you understand it hurts, but it isn’t a serious problem and will pass by morning. Sometimes just feeling safe and cared for makes a big difference.

Every child is different, so you might find one method works better for your kid than another. Some nights, a quick leg rub and a bit of distraction with a bedtime story might do the trick. Other nights, you might use a warm compress and a dose of medicine if needed. The goal is to ease their discomfort and help them (and you!) get back to sleep.

Does your child suffer with growing pains? How have you dealt with them? I’d love to hear from you in a comment below.