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.
My 8 year old daughter has suffered from growing pains for over 2 years. They were getting increasingly worse–waking her up several times a night! She had x-rays done and an ultrasound which were all negative. We tried hot baths with epsom salts at night, 15 minutes of stretching before bed, massages etc.. I finally asked a friend of mine who is an acupuncturist if he had any suggestions and he recommended homeopathic magnesium phosphoric. Since she began taking her “vitamins” as we call them she has not had any leg pain in over 3 weeks! This is the longest stretch she has gone without leg pain in 2 years! Needless to say, I am thrilled and so is she as she no longer dreads bedtime and she can get a really good night sleep. It worked for us–maybe it will help someone else–
My almost 3 year old daughter has been crying because of leg pains for about 3 months now. She is unable to sleep some nights in a week. THANK YOU Jennifer.. So nice of you to share your knowledge..