Toddler complaining of hurting leg(s) in bed

[RipVanTwinkle]

My 2 1/2 year old has been doing this for the last couple of weeks. Sometimes before going to sleep, which we had put down to playing for time. But this week he has woken up crying, then screaming, on three occasions. When asked he says something hurts, and when prompted further he says his leg. He usually (but not always) points to the right leg. Tonight he asked for medicine.

WWYD? What could this be? If it continues I'm tempted to take him to the dr, but don't want to waste their time. It doesn't seem to bother him in the daytime, but he does have a fair few toddler bruises at the mo. TIA.

Could it be leg cramps? I used to get them when I was little... Not as little as your DS, but probably about 7-8 years old. But they do hurt and for me, they came on suddenly in the middle of the night and painful enough to wake me up and to cry... I googled and here's some sooth stuff you can try?

My 2 year old has been doing exactly the same. She's fine in the day too but has woken on a few nights complaining of a "sore leg".

My nephew had a similar thing. He was referred to a paediatrician who said it was just growing pains. He seems fine now (he'll be 4 this month).

If you've got a decent GP, they won't think you're wasting their time. How about talking to the health visitor if you don't want to bother your GP?

Oh gosh, thanks people. I hadn't thought of cramps angel, but it would make sense. Growing pains too. Will go to the doctor (HV, what HV? They've shown not a jot of interest in me or DS since we moved here more than a year ago ).

My friends little boy used to complain of sore legs and it turned out he had low arches in his feet which was straining his legs. She went to the GP, I think he wears an insert, and he's fine now.

My DP said "growing pains" too but I wasn't sure that that it applied to toddlers. Have just found this however which sounds familiar for me (DD insists on her sore leg being rubbed) except for the fact that they say it is more common in 3-5 year olds.

I used to get night cramps when I was little, maybe 5yrs. Dad used to spray me with ralgex. Stinky stuff but worked.

If it is cramps, then giving plenty of milk and eating bananas daily might help, that's what I tried when I got them really badly in pregnancy (something to do with the minerals in them I think)! But not sure what works if it is growing pains.

Poor thing! Sounds light night cramps, as others have said.

Also, as MNIIM has said, try bananas, yogurt etc. It can be caused by magnesium and potassium deficiencies so a little banana for supper should do the trick.

Thanks again. Interestingly, he actually had half a banana just before going to bed last night... He does take plenty of milk, yoghurt etc. as well. So maybe it's growing pains? Anyway, touch wood nothing tonight - so far.