10/11/2025
Those nighttime leg pains can be worrying, especially when your child wakes up crying and can’t explain what’s wrong.
But in most cases, this pattern fits something called growing pains, a common, harmless, and temporary part of childhood.
What we know (and what research says):
* Growing pains affect 25–40% of healthy children, most often between ages 4 and 8.
* They usually occur in the legs, calves, thighs, shins, or behind the knees, and on both sides.
* The pain typically appears in the late afternoon or at night and is gone by morning.
* Studies show no link to growth plates or injury, the name is misleading.
* They’re thought to come from muscle fatigue, rapid activity, and a sensitive nervous system.
How to help your child:
* Gentle massage of the legs often relieves pain quickly.
* Warm compress or bath before bed relaxes muscles.
* Light stretching of calves and thighs can reduce recurrence.
* Comfort and reassurance calm the nervous system, being present really helps.
* Encourage daily play and movement, but let them rest if sore.
* Maintain a regular bedtime routine, tiredness can heighten pain perception.
When to check in with a doctor:
If pain:
* Occurs in one leg only.
* Persists into the morning.
* Is accompanied by swelling, redness, or a limp.
* Or your child has fever or fatigue.
These could signal something other than growing pains and are worth assessing.
The bottom line:
Growing pains are real, but they’re not dangerous.
They’re a reflection of an active, developing body and a sensitive nervous system that sometimes feels things a little louder than usual.
With reassurance, warmth, and gentle care, they pass.
