Night-time leg pain can worry parents, especially when a child wakes up complaining that both legs hurt but seems completely active again the next morning. This pattern is often called growing pains.
 
 Growing pains usually affect both legs and are commonly felt in the thighs, calves, or behind the knees. The discomfort often appears in the late afternoon or at night, may wake a child from sleep, and usually improves by morning. Children with a typical pattern can normally walk and play without limping.
 
Despite the name, growing pains have not been proven to happen because bones are growing quickly. The exact cause is still unclear.
 
When the pattern is typical, a child's physical examination is usually normal. There is no persistent swelling, redness, fever, or loss of movement. Gentle massage, a warm compress, light stretching, and rest may help ease the discomfort.
 
Parents should seek medical advice if the pain affects only one leg, becomes more frequent or severe, appears during activity or in the morning, or causes limping. A child should also be checked if the pain comes with swelling, fever, unusual tiredness, weight loss, or refusal to stand or walk.
 
Keeping a simple note of when the pain happens, where it hurts, and whether other symptoms appear can help during a medical consultation.