Growing Pains: What They Are, What to Watch For
Kids often complain of growing pains — leg pain at night that’s completely gone by morning. Parents are understandably concerned, especially when it becomes a recurring pattern.
Naturally they start to wonder: is there something worrisome going on, or is this just normal? Here’s how pediatricians think about leg pain in children, and what parents can do.
What Growing Pains Are
Growing pains are recurring leg pain in children that often follows a consistent pattern: the pain starts at night, it’s gone by morning, and kids are completely fine in between.
Despite the name, growing pains aren’t caused by growth. The actual cause isn’t fully understood — most likely the legs are still recovering from a full day of activity once the body is at rest.
The pain is usually in both legs — thighs, calves, shins, or behind the knees — not in the joints. It can alternate between legs from one episode to the next. It typically starts in the late afternoon or evening and is gone by morning. Kids are usually fully themselves during the day — active, eating normally.
That daytime normalcy is one of the clues pediatricians pay attention to. Conditions that cause ongoing leg pain often affect how a child moves or feels during the day as well.
Episodes are intermittent — sometimes absent for days or weeks. Growing pains typically affect children between ages 3 and 12 and may come and go for months or even years. Children outgrow them.
How Pediatricians Evaluate Leg Pain in Children
When evaluating leg pain in a child, the goal is to build a full picture — not just what the pain feels like, but when it happens, how long it lasts, and how your child is doing in between.
These details help pediatricians recognize patterns. Some patterns point toward common explanations like growing pains, while others suggest the need to look further.
There’s no blood test or imaging that confirms growing pains. The diagnosis is made when the pattern fits — nighttime pain, gone by morning, and a child who is otherwise well during the day — and nothing in the evaluation suggests another cause.
When something does raise a concern, the next step is typically more information — additional history, an exam finding, sometimes lab work or imaging — to rule out other causes before deciding on growing pains as the diagnosis.
The evaluation typically includes a thorough physical exam. The pediatrician is looking for signs that may suggest another reason for the leg pain — for example, a joint that's swollen or restricted, pain that's reproduced by pressing on a specific spot, or a change in how your child is moving.
What you’re noticing at home — the baseline, what’s changed, how your child is doing overall — is an important part of the whole picture.
What Usually Helps
Most children respond well to simple comfort measures when episodes occur.
Massage: Gentle massage of the painful area tends to help more than anything else.
Warmth: A warm compress or heating pad on the painful area can ease discomfort. Some families find a warm bath before bed useful on nights when pain has been recurring.
Pain relief if needed: Over-the-counter pain relievers are a reasonable option when massage and warmth aren’t enough. Most children respond to comfort measures alone. Ask your pediatrician about appropriate options for your child's age.
When to Call a Pediatrician for Leg Pain in Children
Growing pains are common and they go away on their own. The findings below are some of the specific signals that deserve a closer look — but any concern about a child's pain is reason enough to call.
Pain that is still present in the morning
Only one leg is affected
Worsening pain
Interfering with normal activities
Fever
A limp
Swelling, redness, or warmth in the leg
Pain in a joint — a knee, a hip, an ankle — rather than the muscle of the leg
Parents sometimes hesitate to bring the issue up again if growing pains were previously mentioned during a visit. But if the pattern changes or something feels different, checking back in with your pediatrician is always appropriate.
Growing pains are uncomfortable, but they don't cause any lasting harm. Episodes tend to become less frequent over time, and most children outgrow them entirely.
Additional Resources
AAP HealthyChildren.org — Growing Pains Are Normal Most Of The Time
Mayo Clinic — Growing Pains: Symptoms & Causes
Written by Heather Acevedo, MD
Last reviewed: March, 2026
Medical Disclaimer: All PedsParent Network content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Use of this website does not establish a physician–patient relationship.
The information provided is not a substitute for individualized medical care. Always consult your child’s pediatrician or another licensed healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns or before making healthcare decisions. Never disregard or delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read on this website.
Published by PedsParent Network, LLC. For more information, please read our full Disclaimer, Terms, and Privacy Policy.
