Does Your Child Have Leg Pain at Night? Everything You Need to Know About Growing Pains

Does your child wake up at night complaining of leg pain, only to seem completely fine the next morning? This is quite common during childhood and may be due to what are known as growing pains.

Although they can be worrying for families, growing pains are usually harmless. Here, I explain how to recognise them, what you can do at home, and when it is advisable to seek medical advice.

What are growing pains?

Also known as nocturnal growing pains, these are episodes of leg pain that commonly occur in children between the ages of 2 and 12.

They most often affect the calves, thighs, or the area behind the knees. The pain typically occurs in the late afternoon or evening and may sometimes wake the child from sleep.

One particularly important feature is that the pain disappears by morning, and the child returns to walking, running, and playing as usual.

How can you recognise growing pains?

Growing pains tend to have several characteristic features:

• They occur in the late afternoon or at night, sometimes waking the child from sleep.

• They affect the legs, particularly the calves, thighs, or the area behind the knees.

• They are intermittent: some nights are painful, while others are symptom-free.

• They may occur more frequently after days of increased physical activity.

• They disappear by morning, and the child feels well and continues with their usual activities.

• They are not usually associated with swelling, redness, or limping.

The exact cause is unknown. Although growing pains have traditionally been linked to the growth of bones and muscles, there is no evidence that growth itself is directly responsible for the pain.

What can you do at home?

Here comes the part many children love! These episodes can become a small moment of calm and connection between parents and children.

1. Gentle massage and local heat

Gently massaging the legs may help relieve discomfort. You can also apply moderate local heat, for example, using a warm towel. Always avoid temperatures that could burn the skin.

2. Gentle stretching before bedtime

If episodes occur repeatedly, gentle stretches for the calf muscles, soleus, and hamstrings may be worth trying. These should never be forced or cause pain.

3. Pain relief, if needed

If the pain is severe, occasional use of paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen may be considered, using a dose appropriate for the child’s weight and following the advice of a healthcare professional. Regular use without medical advice is not recommended.

4. Reassurance and comfort

Explaining to your child that the pain usually goes away and spending a few minutes comforting them can help them feel safer when symptoms occur at night.

When should you seek medical advice?

Although growing pains are usually harmless, not all leg pain in children is caused by growing pains.

You should seek medical advice if you notice any of the following warning signs:

• The pain persists during the day or progressively worsens.

• Your child limps, avoids putting weight on the leg, or stops taking part in their usual activities.

• The pain is consistently localised to one specific area or persistently affects only one leg.

• There is swelling, redness, fever, or your child appears generally unwell.

• The pain is persistent, becomes increasingly severe, or is accompanied by other symptoms.

If your child cannot bear weight on the leg, has a fever with a painful joint, or appears significantly unwell, urgent medical assessment is necessary.