I still remember the first time my little one woke up crying with an aching leg.

I panicked a bit inside! But after a late-night call to our pediatrician, I learned it was that old familiar culprit: growing pains. Ironically, growing pains aren’t actually caused by growth spurts at all - the name is kind of misleading. 

These pains are a normal part of many childhoods, and if your kid is between about 3 and 12 years old, there’s a decent chance you’ll encounter them. (Some experts say roughly 1 in 3, or even more, children get these aches at some point.) The good news is that while growing pains can be uncomfortable (for kids and for our sleep schedules!), they don’t cause any harm and usually go away on their own by the teen years. 

From my experience (and a lot of pacing the bedroom floor comforting a child), growing pains usually show up as throbbing or aching feelings in the legs.

My kids often point to their calves or the backs of their knees, sometimes the thighs. It tends to happen in both legs around the same time. Typically, these aches strike late in the day or at night. In our house, it’s often right after dinner or at bedtime when the excitement of the day settles down.

Occasionally, I’ve had a child wake up in the middle of the night with teary-eyed complaints of leg pain. By morning - like magic - the pain is gone and they’re back to their energetic selves. 

A couple of reassuring signs I’ve learned: growing pains don’t cause limping or running issues during the day. My daughter might be in agony at night, but come morning she’s racing her brother to the breakfast table with no problem.

Also, these pains aren’t in the joints - so if my child says their knee joint itself hurts, I pay extra attention (because that’s less typical for growing pains). Sometimes kids might also mention a tummy ache or headache around the same time their legs hurt (mine hasn’t, but I was surprised to learn it’s possible).

The key pattern is on-and-off leg pain that doesn’t stick around by daylight. 

Even though we call them “growing” pains, growth spurts aren’t actually to blame. (I was relieved to find out that growing taller doesn’t literally hurt!) Doctors aren’t 100% certain what causes the pain, but there are a few likely explanations. In many cases, it seems to come from muscle fatigue or overuse. Think about it: kids are bundles of energy.

After a day of non-stop running, jumping, and climbing, those leg muscles can be pretty overworked by evening. I’ve noticed on days we hit the park or when my son plays extra-hard at soccer practice, the nighttime aches are more likely. 

There are other interesting factors too. Some kids (maybe yours) are just more sensitive to pain or have what doctors call a “lower pain threshold.” These kiddos might feel aches more intensely. 

Physical traits can play a role as well: for instance, children with flat feet or very flexible joints (“double-jointed” as people say) seem to report growing pains more often. One pediatric specialist mentioned to me that flat feet can alter a child’s walking pattern just enough to stress leg muscles differently, potentially leading to soreness later.

Additionally, a few studies have noted a link between low Vitamin D levels and growing pains - Vitamin D is important for muscle and bone health, so that’s an interesting clue researchers are looking at. And here’s one I wouldn’t have guessed on my own: sometimes what we think are growing pains might actually be a mild case of restless legs syndrome in disguise, especially if there’s a family history of it. 

Bottom line, it’s not about the bones growing (so you can toss out that old “it’s because you’re growing so fast!” line - I know I have). It’s more about muscles and other factors.

But in healthy kids, these pains are considered a benign (though annoying) part of childhood. 

When those evening aches strike, I shift into comfort mode.

Over time I’ve gathered a little toolkit of remedies that really help my kids feel better: 

• Gentle Massage & Reassurance: I’ve found that rubbing the painful area gently for a few minutes can work wonders. I usually have my child curl up in my lap or sit next to me, and I’ll massage their calves or thighs. Not only does it help the muscles relax, but I swear the extra snuggles and comfort help take their mind off the pain. I often say something like, “I know it hurts right now, but it’s going to be okay. I’ve got you.” In my experience, that emotional comfort is part of the healing too. 

• Warmth: Applying some warmth to those sore leg muscles is another trick. I keep a warm heating pad handy (on low setting) or use a warm towel. Be careful it’s not too hot - just nicely warm. I’ll lay it on the aching leg for a short while. A warm bath before bed (maybe with some Epsom salts) also relaxes my kids’ muscles on days they’ve been extra active. My son now asks for a warm soak if his legs are hurting because he knows it helps him feel better. 

• Stretching: We’ve turned it into a mini game sometimes - doing some easy stretching exercises together in the evening. I’ll gently stretch my child’s legs (or better, have them try simple stretches themselves) when they complain of pain. It seems to reduce the frequency of the aches. Plus, it doubles as a calm bedtime routine activity! Even on pain-free nights, a little stretching of the calves and thighs during our wind-down time can be helpful. 

• Pain Relief (When Needed): On the rare occasion when the pain is really crummy and keeping my kid awake, I’ve given a dose of over-the-counter pain reliever like children’s acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). This isn’t usually necessary, but it’s good to know you have that option. Important note: Always use a child-safe pain medication and the correct dosage (based on your child’s weight/age). When in doubt, call a pediatrician to confirm the dose. And never give aspirin to children - aspirin has been linked to a dangerous condition called Reye’s syndrome in kids, so it’s off-limits. In my household, we don’t even keep aspirin in the medicine cabinet to avoid any mix-ups. 

A couple more things I do proactively: If we’ve had a super active day, I might encourage a bit of quiet time before bed to let their muscles cool down (story time or some coloring).

Also, making sure my kids stay well-hydrated seems to fend off some muscle cramps - water is our friend! Some parents also try Vitamin D supplements for kids who might be low in it (talk to your doctor first on that one).

And if flat feet are an issue, ask the pediatrician - they might recommend supportive insoles (orthotics) or shoes, which can sometimes help reduce leg strain. 

While growing pains are normal, I’ve learned to keep an eye out for red flags that might signal something else is going on. Basically, if it doesn’t fit the usual growing pains pattern, I play it safe and check in with our doctor.

Here are some situations that would prompt me to call the pediatrician (and should prompt you, too): 

• Pain That’s Not Going Away: Growing pains should fade by morning or at least not bother your kid during the day. If my child still complains of leg pain the next morning, or the pains are happening every single day without let-up, that’s a sign to get a medical opinion. 

• Swelling or Redness: Typical growing pains don’t come with swelling, redness, or warmth in the joints or muscles. If I ever notice my child’s leg looks puffy, or the skin is red and tender, that’s not just a simple growing pain. Time to call the doc. 

• Limping or Limited Movement: If during the day I see my kid limping, favoring one leg, or refusing to play because of pain, that’s not normal for growing pains (which shouldn’t affect daytime play). I’d want a doctor to check that out. 

• Joint Pain: Growing pains are in the muscles, not the joints. So if a knee joint, ankle, or any joint is hurting or stiff, that raises my eyebrow. For instance, morning joint stiffness or pain could point to something like juvenile arthritis - which needs medical attention. 

• Fever or Illness Symptoms: Growing pains by themselves won’t cause fever, loss of appetite, extreme fatigue, or weight loss. If leg pain comes along with something like a fever or general illness signs, I don’t assume it’s growing pains. It could be an infection or another issue, so I’d get it checked out. 

• One-Sided Pain or Unusual Location: Most often, growing pains hit both legs. If my child has pain only in one leg or in an uncommon spot, I’d be cautious. For example, pain just in one arm or one shin consistently - I’d mention that to our pediatrician to rule out other causes. 

• Any “Gut Feeling” Worries: At the end of the day, if something just doesn’t feel right - either the pain seems too severe, or you’re noticing anything out of the ordinary - it’s always okay to call the doctor. As a parent, you know your child best. I’ve had times where I wasn’t sure if it was just a bad bout of growing pains or something more; a quick visit or call to the pediatrician gave me peace of mind. 

Doctors usually diagnose growing pains by first ruling out other issues. There’s no lab test or X-ray that can directly show a growing pain. In our case, the pediatrician asked a lot of questions and did a physical exam to make sure nothing else was wrong. If your child’s story is classic - leg muscle pains at night that vanish by morning in an otherwise healthy kid - a doctor will likely conclude it’s growing pains.

They might do an X-ray or blood test if something doesn’t add up, just to be thorough. So don’t worry, they’ll help figure it out. 

The phrase “growing pains” actually has a reassuring truth to it: your child will outgrow these pains. In my household, these episodes have come and gone over the years.

A few intense weeks of pains might be followed by months of nothing. Most kids outgrow the phase by their early teens (often even earlier). I know it’s hard to watch your little one in pain - I’ve spent my share of midnight hours rubbing legs and singing lullabies to distract from the ache.

But I take comfort in knowing these pains are temporary and part of growing up for many children. 

One day, you’ll realize it’s been ages since your child last stumbled into your bedroom at night asking for a leg rub. They’ll be busy growing in all the other ways - learning, exploring - without the pesky leg aches. Until then, hang in there.

Keep the heating pad and cuddle blanket ready, and remember that you’re not alone - lots of parents are doing late-night comfort duty for the exact same reason.

And as always, if you’re ever unsure about what your child is feeling, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice. It’s always better to have peace of mind. 

Growing pains can be tough on kids, and let’s be honest, on us parents too. But knowing what they are (and what they aren’t) makes a huge difference.

They’re a normal part of childhood for many kids, and while they can be uncomfortable, they’re not dangerous.

With a little comfort, some warm compresses, and maybe a leg massage or two, most kids bounce back quickly. 

And if anything feels off or unusual, your pediatrician is always your best ally. 

So hang in there, keep the heating pad handy, and remember: this phase doesn’t last forever. You’ve got this, and so does your kid