3-4 years olds: complaining that their legs hurt often

Anyone's child that age (or approx) complain about that sort of regularly?

DD just turned 4, and for maybe the last year she'll randomly say her legs hurt. Now, she's the kind of kid who complains about the smallest little red mark on her finger, but the leg complaints, while not that common, are more common and seem more heartfelt than a basic whine about a boo boo.

During temper tantrums, she does throw herself down on the hardwood on her knees, even after I suggest she move to the rugs...and I remind her that she fell on her knees over & over when she complains her knees hurt.

But are growing pains actual pains too? Could that be it? She doesn't limp, or complain incessantly about the legs when she does complain...doesn't keep her from running, kicking, etc. But it does seem like a genuine discomfort when she says it.

Message edited 7/13/2011 9:34:34 PM.

Re: 3-4 years olds: complaining that their legs hurt often

I don't have a child of that age, but I actually remember having growing pains in my legs that hurt when I was growing up. Of course, I was a complainer too. My dad likes to joke now and ask me if my "fingernail hurts" and says he can't wait until DD starts complaining about everything like I always did.

When I was a little older (maybe 7 - 8 ish) my dad would have me drink a large glass of milk every time my legs hurt. He'd say the calcium would help ease the pain. I don't know if it actually did, but it calmed me down a little. I remember waking up in the middle of the night sometimes when the pain was so bad.

Can you call the ped and ask about it?

Re: 3-4 years olds: complaining that their legs hurt often

I don't remember having growing pains myself, but I remember my sister having leg pains all the time growing up. Specifically between the ages of 4 & 8. She was known to be a complainer, but the pains would wake her up at night.

Re: 3-4 years olds: complaining that their legs hurt often

There was a thread on the school aged kids board recently about this... And yes, I remember dealing with it myself as well

Re: 3-4 years olds: complaining that their legs hurt often

Funny you ask this, I was just starting to get concerned about my 3 year old. Every time she wakes up from night or a nap she complains that her legs are "stiff" and hurt. She has gotten really tall in the last couple of months and I really do think she is experiencing growing pains.

Re: 3-4 years olds: complaining that their legs hurt often

I had HORRIBLE leg/growing pains as a child. Now my 4 year old has been complaining that his feet hurt Not too sure if growing pains occur in the feet?

Re: 3-4 years olds: complaining that their legs hurt often

We haven't experienced it with Kaydyn yet but I remember my niece having awful growing pains from about 3ish until about 11yo. She would wake up in the night screaming that her legs hurt. The ped said when she was complaining to try and give her tylenol and see if it helped.

Re: 3-4 years olds: complaining that their legs hurt often

growing pains are real! My almost 3 year old is going through it...I know its true because he wakes up at night complaining that his legs hurt

Re: 3-4 years olds: complaining that their legs hurt often

DS is 5.5 and still complains of his legs hurting...I think its growing pains ...

Re: 3-4 years olds: complaining that their legs hurt often

Thanks ladies. I feel badly for her, but I know there's not much I can do. Tonight was the first time she's woken up complaining of them.

Re: 3-4 years olds: complaining that their legs hurt often

I am so thankful for this post. DS was complaining about this today too. He actually used the stroller while we were at the mall and DD walked holding my hand. He was really upset and kept saying his legs hurt. He grew a lot over the last few days. I will bring this up with his pediatrician. Is there anything I can do to help him?

Re: 3-4 years olds: complaining that their legs hurt often

my son has gotten leg pains from about that age on. only at night, he would come in complaining of the pain and my husband would rub his feet and or legs until the pain eased or he fell asleep.

my hubby also remembers having growing pains growing up. so at one of our dr's visits I mentioned the pain and called them "growing pains" he said ah no, if they were really pains from growing that much then he would be 6 foot tall already. um ok.

I still believe they are growing pains!