[HyKathleen]

Has anyone's preschooler been complaining that their legs hurt? My four year old daughter who has been home just over a year has recently been complaining at night that her legs hurt. She woke up about a week ago crying that both of her legs hurt. I was in a panic thinking something was really wrong. I gave her Tylenol and she went back to sleep, woke up the next morning no pain. I called the Drs' office and was told that some children between 3-5 will experience growing pains. It is more common in girls and usually happens after a very active day. Just wondering if it is really that common??

[wynnekj9967]

I remember when I was little I would get them quit a bit. Mom would tell me I was just getting taller. I think they are pretty common.

[2xaround]

My boys went through the same thing about that age. They would wake up in the night crying because their legs hurt. I would give them Tylenol, massage their legs and they would fall back to sleep.

[DPline]

My older son, and particularly my daughter have experienced growing pains. My Mom, who is in her mid-60's, remembers having them as a child and I know that many of my friends children have/had them.

Interesting that it is more common with girls as it seems to be my friends boys that are more prone to them. Or maybe it is that we just know more boys than girls! They do seem to be pretty common though.

[havensd]

I remember having terrible pains in my legs at night when I was little. My mom always told me they were growing pains and I was getting taller. I think it must be pretty common.

[LJR1974]

I had this too--quite a bit. Although I remember it more around 4-5th grade. Maybe it was a growth spurt? I'm 6'0" tall tho, so I guess I would get them a lot.

[kerriv]

That happened to me alot as a child and still does if I don't drink enough water.

[nurse_reedle]

My brother and my son have them. My brother's pediatrician said it was from tibial tortion. I don't know. I haven't been able to find anything to that affect since my mom told me that.

[lyssie]

Our whole familly had leg aches and it was more than gorwing pains. It was muscular or soemthing. I have found a foot massage helps my kiddos and a heating pad was helpful as a child. My mom used to give us chewable calcium when we were aching...I don't know that it did anything but, it felt like we ewere working on a solution anyway. I do know It was P-A-I-N-F-U-L so, make sure to love your little guy through it!