growth at night

Overview

Growth at night is not a disease. It is a natural process: your child's body releases growth hormone mostly during deep sleep, so most growing happens at night. Some children feel aches in their legs during the night, often called 'growing pains.'

Very common. Many children between the ages of 3 and 12 have growing pains at least once.

Children, especially between ages 3 and 5 and again between 8 and 12. It affects boys and girls equally.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Aching, throbbing, or cramping in the thighs, calves, or behind the knees
• Pain in both legs, often at the same time
• Pain that starts in the late afternoon or evening
• Pain that may wake your child from sleep
• No swelling, redness, or tenderness in the painful area

Symptoms in children

• Restlessness at night
• Crying or fussing from discomfort
• Wanting a massage or a warm bath for comfort
• Being completely fine in the morning with no pain

Causes

Main causes

• The body's natural growth process – bones grow faster than muscles and tendons, which can cause stretching and aching
• Growth hormone being released during deep sleep, which may trigger mild discomfort in some children
• The effect of active play and running during the day, which can make muscles feel tired or sore at night

Risk factors

• Being between 3 and 12 years old
• Going through rapid growth spurts
• Having very active days with lots of running, jumping, or climbing
• A family history of growing pains

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Pain that is severe or lasts through the day
• Limping or trouble walking
• Swelling or redness in a joint or limb
• Fever, rash, or other signs of illness
• Pain that wakes your child repeatedly every night

Book a routine appointment if:

• If you are worried about your child's pain
• If the pain lasts for more than a few weeks
• If the pain affects your child's daily activities like school or play

Diagnosis

A doctor will ask about your child's symptoms and examine them. Growing pains are usually diagnosed when the symptoms match the typical pattern and the physical exam finds nothing abnormal.

Tests that may be done

• Physical examination
• Discussion of symptoms and health history
• Blood tests or X-rays only if the doctor suspects another condition

What to expect at your appointment

The doctor will listen to your concerns, check your child, and explain whether the pain sounds like growing pains. Often, no further tests are needed.

Treatment

Treatment for growing pains is about comfort, not curing. The focus is on helping your child feel better at night and reassuring them that the pain is normal.

Self-care at home

• Gently massage your child's legs
• Apply a warm heating pad or warm cloth to sore spots – always check it's not too hot
• Give your child a warm bath before bed
• Help your child stretch their legs gently during the day
• Reassure your child that the pain will go away

Medical treatments

For severe discomfort, your doctor or pharmacist may suggest a child-friendly pain reliever. Always follow their advice and the dosing instructions on the packet. Never give aspirin to a child.

When is surgery considered?

No surgery is needed for growing pains.

Living with this condition

Growing pains are brief episodes, not a lifelong condition. Keep a calm evening routine and respond to your child's discomfort with kindness and reassurance. If they wake up, soothe them back to sleep with a gentle massage or a warm drink.

Lifestyle tips

• Make sure your child gets enough sleep – deep sleep is when growth happens
• Encourage regular physical activity but allow rest days if legs feel sore
• Create a relaxing bedtime routine
• Use warm baths before bed to relax muscles

Diet and exercise

A balanced diet with enough calcium and vitamin D supports healthy bones. Regular exercise is good, but alternating active days with lighter activities can help prevent soreness.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Children can feel anxious when they wake up with sore legs. Reassure them that it's normal and temporary. Staying calm as a parent helps your child feel safe. If you feel stressed about your child's pain, talk to your healthcare provider.

Prevention

You can't prevent growth itself, but you can reduce pain and discomfort by helping your child wind down, stay active in a balanced way, and use comforting routines at bedtime.

Complications

If left untreated

• No complications are expected from growing pains itself.
• If the pain is actually from another cause, not seeing a doctor could delay diagnosis. That's why it's important to seek advice if you are worried.

Long-term outlook

Growing pains are not harmful. They don't damage your child's legs or affect growth. Most children stop having them by their early teens. With simple comfort measures, your child can get a good night's sleep.

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