What should you know about growing pains in infants?

Growing pains describe a recurring childhood pattern rather than a diagnosis for every leg complaint. An infant may show discomfort by crying during handling, waking unusually, refusing to move one limb, or changing how they crawl, kick, or bear weight. Causes can include a minor injury, skin irritation, infection, a joint problem, or discomfort elsewhere that is difficult to localise. Check whether symptoms affect one side, follow a fall or twist, or occur with fever or poor feeding. Osgood-Schlatter Disease and Sever's Disease involve growth areas in older children, not the usual infant stage.

Keep the infant comfortable and observe without repeatedly bending or testing a painful limb. Look for bruising, swelling, redness, a mark from clothing, or a difference between the legs. Note feeding, sleep, temperature, wet nappies, movement, and when the distress began. Avoid giving medicine unless a healthcare professional has advised the correct product and dose for the infant. If the baby is settled but the change persists, arrange a paediatric review and bring the observation record.

Seek urgent medical advice if an infant will not move an arm or leg, cannot bear weight when they normally can, has fever with a swollen or hot joint, appears unusually sleepy, feeds poorly, or has inconsolable crying. Get immediate help after a significant fall or if a limb looks bent or deformed. A new rash with fever, breathing difficulty, or a very unwell appearance also requires emergency care.

Which movement or examination findings concern you? Could the discomfort be coming from the hip, knee, foot, or another area? What signs should I monitor overnight? Is any pain medicine appropriate for this infant?