Growing Pains in Children: Causes, Relief & When to Worry

Your child was running around happily all day, then at bedtime starts crying that their legs hurt. By morning they’re racing out the door as if nothing happened. If this sounds familiar, your child may be having “growing pains” — one of the most common and most misunderstood aches of childhood.

Quick Answer

Growing pains are a common, harmless type of leg pain in young children. Despite the name, they are not actually caused by growing. The typical pattern is an ache in both legs — in the muscles (calves, shins, thighs, behind the knees), not the joints — that comes on in the evening or at night, can sometimes wake the child, and is completely gone by morning. The child is otherwise well, with no swelling, redness, limp or fever, and plays normally the next day. Gentle massage, warmth and reassurance usually help. If the pain is in one leg or one joint, is still there or causes a limp in the morning, or comes with swelling, redness, fever or feeling unwell — those are not growing pains, and you should see a doctor.

What Are Growing Pains?

Growing pains are a well-recognised, harmless cause of recurring leg pain in childhood. They are most common in the preschool and primary-school years (roughly ages 3 to 12) and tend to come and go over months or even years before eventually stopping on their own.

The name is misleading. Despite being called “growing pains,” there is no good evidence that they are caused by bones growing, and the pain does not happen at the fastest-growing parts of the body or during growth spurts. They do not cause any harm and do not damage the legs in any way. The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but they are thought to be ordinary muscular aches — often after a busy, active day of running, jumping and playing.

So “are growing pains real?” Yes — the pain is genuine and your child is not making it up. It just isn’t a sign that anything is wrong.

The Typical Pattern

Growing pains follow a fairly recognisable picture. The classic features are:

• Both legs. The pain is usually felt in both legs, not stuck on one side.
• Muscles, not joints. It’s felt in the muscles — the calves, shins, fronts of the thighs or behind the knees — rather than in a joint like the knee or ankle.
• Evening or night-time. It typically appears in the late afternoon, evening or at night, and can occasionally wake the child from sleep.
• Gone by morning. This is the big one. By the next morning the pain has vanished, and the child can walk, run and play with no limp and no trouble.
• Often after an active day. Episodes frequently follow a day with lots of physical activity.
• Child is otherwise well. Between episodes — and even during them — the child looks healthy. There is no swelling, no redness, no fever, and no limp.

The pain can be aching or throbbing, and how often it happens varies a lot: some children get it now and then, others several nights in a row, then nothing for weeks.

How to Relieve Them

Because growing pains are harmless, treatment is about comfort, not cure. Simple home measures usually settle an episode:

• Gentle massage. Rubbing or massaging the sore muscles is often the most effective thing — and the cuddle that comes with it helps too.
• Warmth. A warm compress, a covered hot water bottle (not too hot), or a warm bath before bed can ease the ache.
• Stretching. Gentle leg stretches can help, and doing them regularly may reduce how often the pains come.
• Reassurance. Calmly telling your child the pain is normal, will pass, and isn’t anything to worry about goes a long way at bedtime.
• Keep active and hydrated. There’s no need to stop sport or play. Staying active and well-hydrated is perfectly fine.

Pain-relief medicine is only occasionally needed and should be used only if your paediatrician advises it — please check with your doctor about whether and how much to give rather than deciding on your own.

Red Flags — These Are NOT Growing Pains, See a Doctor

This is the most important part. Some signs tell you the pain is not ordinary growing pains and needs to be checked. See a doctor if your child has any of these:

• Pain in one leg only, in one joint, or always in the exact same spot.
• Pain that is still there in the morning, or that causes a limp or trouble walking during the day.
• Swelling, redness, warmth or tenderness over a joint or one area.
• Fever alongside the leg pain.
• Weight loss, unusual tiredness, looking pale, or generally looking unwell.
• A rash or easy bruising.
• Pain that started after an injury or a fall.
• Severe pain, or pain that is steadily getting worse over time.

These features can point to things like infection, an injury, a joint problem or other conditions, and they deserve a proper look so the right cause is found. Growing pains never cause a limp, swelling or morning pain — so when those are present, think “not growing pains.”

When to See a Doctor

Get your child reviewed by a paediatrician if the pain doesn’t fit the reassuring pattern above — in particular if it is one-sided, present in the morning, linked to swelling, redness, fever or a limp, follows an injury, or keeps getting worse. You should also check in if the pain is frequent or severe enough to disturb sleep often, if your child seems generally unwell, or simply if you are worried and want peace of mind. A short visit to rule things out is always reasonable. Persistent or worsening pain should never just be watched indefinitely — it warrants review.

Indian Context

Many Indian parents worry that night-time leg pains mean a calcium or vitamin deficiency, or that something is “wrong with the bones.” For typical growing pains, that worry is usually unnecessary — they are a normal part of childhood and not a sign of weak bones. At the same time, a balanced diet that supports healthy bones — milk, curd, paneer, dals, ragi, leafy greens, and some safe sun exposure for vitamin D — is good for every growing child. If you genuinely suspect a deficiency or your child has other symptoms, ask your paediatrician rather than starting supplements on your own. The aim is to reassure without over-medicalising what are, in most children, completely normal aches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: At what age do growing pains happen?

A: They are most common in young children — through the preschool and primary-school years. They tend to come and go over months or years and usually settle on their own. Pain that doesn’t fit this picture, especially in one leg or one joint, should be checked.

Q: Are growing pains a sign that my child needs calcium or vitamin D?

A: Usually no — typical growing pains are not caused by a deficiency. A bone-friendly diet is good anyway, but if you’re concerned about your child’s nutrition or have other symptoms, speak to your paediatrician before giving any supplements.

Q: How can I tell growing pains apart from something serious?

A: Growing pains affect both legs, are in the muscles not the joints, come in the evening or night, and are gone by morning with normal play. Pain in one spot, morning pain, a limp, swelling, redness, fever or feeling unwell are not growing pains and need a doctor’s review.

Q: Can I give my child painkillers for growing pains?

A: Only if your paediatrician advises it. Most episodes settle with massage, warmth and reassurance, so medicine is rarely needed. Don’t decide on a dose yourself — check with your doctor.

Q: Will growing pains harm my child’s legs?

A: No. Growing pains are harmless and don’t damage the muscles, bones or joints in any way. They simply come and go and eventually stop. If pain is severe, one-sided or getting worse, though, that’s a reason to see a doctor.

Worried about your little one’s night-time aches and want a paediatrician’s reassurance? join here

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Always consult your paediatrician.