Question
Growing pains
Our 3 year old son has been complaining of leg pains late at night. It's not consistent and it's short-lived but when he does have them he cries in misery. We've chalked it up to being growing pains. Anyone have any cure-alls for growing pains with toddlers?
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5 Answers
No cure all but it is normal. Not actually growing pains but muscle fatigue. Massage is the best thing. You can teach him to rub his legs too when it wakes him up. Also check with your pediatrician. He might have a potassium deficiency. Not saying he does just could be another cause of leg cramps. Check with your Doctor.
Smile, it increases your face value!
Jodi
Smile, it increases your face value! :)
Jodi
warm baths right before bed helps alot
I would agree to leg massage. You can rub his legs right before he goes to bed and also if he wakes up crying, and yes, try to teach him to do it himself. (Nothing feels as good as mom or dad doing it though!) And do check about the potassium. In the meantime, it never hurts to give him a banana every day if he'll eat it. Lots of potassium in those.
Patti
SAHM in SoCal and administrator of the Sleep Forum group, http://www.mothersclick.com/group/sleep-forum and Tri-Counties Moms, http://www.mothersclick.com/moms-club/tri-counties-moms-sb-ventura-slo-c...
Hot baths and bananas are such great suggestions!!
I couldn't offer any better advice than these ladies have given you already!
I know this is not the same thing, but it makes me think of when I get "restless legs" at night. UGH, it's the most annoying thing ever. I keep a heating pad in a blanket chest in our bedroom and get it out whenever I feel it. It helps considerably. Maybe your son could benefit from a heating pad?
Polkadot, I think I've read that bananas or other forms of potassium can help with the restless legs too. (And avocados, btw, have lots of potassium too!)
I'm not sure about using heating pads on small kids. It seems I've read it's not safe. Might be worth checking into, though!
Patti
SAHM in SoCal and administrator of the Sleep Forum group, http://www.mothersclick.com/group/sleep-forum and Tri-Counties Moms, http://www.mothersclick.com/moms-club/tri-counties-moms-sb-ventura-slo-c...