My 4 year old has had leg aches since he was about 2. Wish I knew what the cause was. It is only at bedtime and just happens from time to time, Except for this last week it has been about the last 4 nights in a row. I dont want to give him medicine every time. What else could I do besides massage and warm blanket. Hylands Brand usually has an answer for everything but I dont anything for that at his age.
When my son was 4, he shot up 4 inches that year and the growing pains would sometimes wake him up in the night (although they could strike at any time of day).
We tried warm bathes, massage, heating pad (on low) or an air activated heat patch, tylenol, aspercream, and sometimes it helped but not always.
Completely agree with Betsy C.! Contact his pediatrician. My husband had growing pains BAD during that time frame and again in junior high. He said it was so bad he could barely walk and used heating pads. Our son is starting to show some signs and he is 2. Sounds like you're doing what I would do.
maybe check his diet to make sure he is getting the right amount of calcium and potasium. Potasium is harder to get than we think. Also make sure he is hydrated. Summertime is crucial for making sure he gets enough to drink. If he is outside a lot, he will also need to replenish his electrlytes.
Have you talked to the pediatrician?
That being said my son was prone to terrible growing pains our Ped suggested ibuprofen. Sounds like you are doing all the best things for it, but I would seriously recommend talking to his Pediatrician if he has been having them since age 2.
These are growing pains. I had them, my husband had them and both of my sons have them. The most always happened at night. Bananas! He needs bananas for the potassium. When my sons are in growth spurts I make sure they get extra potassium. This happens to my oldest son a lot - he even asks for bananas when the growing pains start. I promise, give him bananas and he will feel better.
One of my daughters has had the same issue and I use two natural remedies - chewable Cal Mag supplements from Shaklee and doTERRA's peppermint essential oil for the pain. Sometime I use doTERRA's Deep Blue essential oil blend as well, which includes peppermint oils but also has additional oils to relieve pain.
Have your pediatrician address the issue. While it could just be growing pains it could also be a myriad of other things flat footedness, lack of flexibility, super flexibility, uneven leg growth. Have him evaluated.
It sounds like growing pains which are very common. No need for medicine, just give him tonic water. The quinine (sp?) will get rid of them ;).
I use to get those when I was younger and occasionally I do now myom unscientifically linked it to lack of calcium sure enough if I did have a large glass of milk it always helped get rid of them when my diet was good they didn't come try it for what it is worth good luck
