Growing pains in toddlers

Toddlers often start complaining about pains in their legs and
knees. Their calf muscles often feel knotted up. This kind of leg pain in children is part of what
is called, ‘Growing Pains.’ These pains are part of growing up and occur mostly due to the strenuous
activity during daytime.

Other than the above, here are a few more indicators to help you
identify growing pains:

• Pain in muscles not joints.
• Pain in both legs, in
  front of the thigh, calf muscles, back of knee.
• Possible spasm in muscles.
• Pains
  waking the child up from sleep.
• Pains appearing at the end of the day.
• Lack of fever
  and other symptoms of sickness.

In all other cases, as in the following, it is advisable
to call in your doctor:

• Swollen joints; inability to swiftly move limbs.
• Warmth
  and redness in joints.
• Pains persisting for more than 24 hours.
• Sever limb pain
  causing the child to limp.

Here are some
suggestions to ease your toddlers’ pains:

• Stretch their feet following any complaint
  of pain.
• Gently massage their calf muscles.
• If possible, apply heat to the affected
  area.
• Give them Acetaminophen and/or Tylenol.

Disclaimer: The above information is
commonsense reflection drawn from general experience. If you are looking for expert medical advice,
please consult your doctor.