If your child is complaining of burning muscle pain in their legs, thighs, or arms before bedtime, you may need sleep help for growing pains. What are growing pains exactly? Do they occur during a growth spurt? Believe it or not, growing pains are not directly related to growth. Instead, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, these baffling aches are caused by excessive running, jumping, and climbing. Experts tell us the overactivity puts an unhealthy strain on the musculoskeletal system, creating inflamed muscle swelling.
So, how do you know if your child’s sore muscles are indeed growing pains? At kidshealth.org, experts tell us if your child’s pain occurs toward the end of an extremely active play day and they have no recall of an injury, chances are good they are experiencing growing pains.
Here are a few common symptoms:
*Throbbing Thighs
*Burning Shins
*Aching Legs
*Strained Knees
* Sore Arms
The good news is, once your child has a sound night’s rest, these uncomfortable muscle pains usually vanish. However, if your child wakes in the morning and is still having persistent pain, it may be an injury.
To be safe, consider seeing your doctor if their soreness is:
*Persistent and begins to interfere with everyday activities
*Present in the morning
*Associated with an injury
*Accompanied by redness, tenderness, limping, or swelling
*Linked to loss of appetite, fatigue, or fever
Fun Fact:
Did you know growing pains are genetically inherited? It’s true. So, if you or your husband experienced growing pains, your child will more than likely experience them too;)
Now let’s talk about supporting you with the sleep help you need.
If your child is experiencing growing pains, the symptoms usually appear at the end of the day. The pain can be so severe; it often creates a state of restlessness and discontent. So, as a result, children often have trouble falling asleep. Fortunately, we have a few simple remedies that will help soothe their pain.
Here they are:
1. Massage:
Lightly massage the inflamed area with relaxing lavender oil for 30 minutes.
2. Epsom Salt Bath
As directed, add Epsom salts to a warm bath to relax their body and reduce swelling in their muscles.
3. Heating Pad
Before bed, gently apply the heating pad on a low to medium setting for approximately 20 – 30 minutes.
4. Kids Magnesium Supplement
Magnesium, also found in Epsom salts, calms and relaxes muscles. Given daily may help prevent growing pains.
5. Children’s Ibuprofen
To reduce muscle inflammation, take children’s ibuprofen as directed.
So, the next time your child complains of achy legs, knees, or arms out of the blue, use our nifty sleep help tips to ease the pain. Perhaps the following day, consider slowing down and smelling the roses together. For a change of pace, try making a fort, watching movies, baking cookies, and just being with one another. Share some funny stories about your childhood. Your little one will love learning about you! Yep. It’s the intimate moments of sharing, caring, and understanding that builds trust for a lifetime;)
At Tucked + Covered, our mission is better to sleep for the whole family:)
That’s why we want to give you the sleep help you need when we can! Because we know when your kids sleep, then you sleep. It’s that simple:)
Rest Well:)