Toddler with Restless Leg Syndrome?

[kmini]

Morning

Has anyone had experience with Restless Leg Syndrome with a baby/toddler or young child.

My 21 month old DS has always been a poor sleeper. Full time stressful job left me with zero energy to continue manage his poor sleeping (myriad of problems - long spells awake, early wake ups, totally unwilling to go back into his bed despite happily doing so at the beginning of the evening). So I just caved and started letting him sleep with us when he would wake upset during the 2nd half of the night.

Increasingly we've noticed foot rubbing against the sheets/my legs, toe pointing, leg raising, entire body flipping around the bed. At first I thought he was just dreaming or perhaps it was his psoriasis causing his legs to feel itchy. I have even started to noticed leg rubbing against my legs when we are reading books.

Anyway, long story short, when i was googling toddler with restless legs, this Restless Leg Syndrome came up. Its more common in adults, but little ones can suffer too. It seems to be neurological in nature and genetics and iron deficiency can play a part. We know from recent blood tests my son had a slight iron deficiency (pediatrician didn't feel it was severe enough to worry with supplements).

So does anyone have any experiences with this? I have been trawling google, but can't many reporting such symptoms. Any advice with how to go forward, would be helpful.

[Thewolfsjustapuppy]

You should take him to the GP. Restless leg syndrome is possible but there are a myriad of possible neurological reasons why he is getting this.

[Cornberry]

poor little thing :( my little one does the leg rubbing against me when we are reading but I never thought it could be restless leg syndrome. As pp said i think there could be lots of reasons, but I suffer with RLS and here are the things that help me: being sufficiently hydrated, not too much sugar, and also since I've been taking magnesium supplements the problem has all but disappeared. You could try giving your LO epsom bath salts which have minerals in them. I've read it can work well to help settle babies and aid sleep at night. Worth a try?

[kmini]

Thank you for your replies! It's so frustrating for him, plus he's still so little so he can't yet explain to us what's bothering him.

My biggest concern that this constant lack of quality sleep is going to begin to impact his development (there are links between RSL & ADHD). He had 9 hours restless sleep last night (not unusual for him unfortunately) and he woke up a very grumpy little man, which is very unlike him.

We have gotten on to the Pediatrician that originally mentioned the slight iron deficiency. She was going to initiate blood tests and speak to our GP.

The magnesium and epsom bath salts are great recommendations. Thank you so much!