Is this a reasonable assumption?? (Leg cramps)

[Arimeh]

Hi all,

My gorgeous (cough cough) DS has been waking up lately at around 3am and is a bugger to get back to sleep - usually takes about an hour. DH takes the first half, and I do the second (not easy to lean over a cot with a big belly though!!)
This morning whilst I had my hand on his back (patting distracts him and he starts patting the mattress with his own hand) I thought he was just about to drift off, and his leg sorta twitched and he opened his eyes again. So I had a thought.. maybe he is getting leg cramps/restless legs because he has just started to walk so maybe his muscles are a bit sore?? I know my legs play up more of a night time - and if I'm cold they ache (even when not pregnant). So maybe its something along those lines and it wakes him up so much that he can't get back to sleep?
I gave him a bit of a leg rub and he slept until 6.15 which is his normalish time to get up anyways.
What does everyone think? Or is it just a nearly-16 month old normal behaviour?

[Arimeh]

just thought I would bump this up just in case anybody else goes through it. I've been giving DS a little leg massage before he goes to bed, and he seems to be sleeping better and for the last two nights, only waking up because of the dogs barking.. (bloody dogs... grRRRR)

[jmmum]

Not sure if this may help or not. I get bad leg and foot cramps only at night and especially if cold. If my leg cramps generally speaking I can find the tight lumpy cramped area. Can do the same with my mother so it's not just that i feel the pain. Maybe see if you can feel any tightness in your DS tiny little leg. It would be horrible for him to be having cramps poor little thing!!!

[Arimeh]

I couldn't feel any tight spots, but I must admit, I gave it a quick rub just to warm it up a little, didn't dig my fingers in or anything that night.

But I give it a rub with the lavender johnson & johnson cream, so maybe that helps relax the muscles as well? I'm not sure, just going on instinct here!!! As long as it stops him waking up I'm willing to try anything!!!

[Lulu]

Have you ever got that jolt right before you went off to sleep? I used to dream I had stepped off a gutter and tripped in the 'twilight' part of the dream/sleep stage. Maybe that's it?

[Arimeh]

Hmmm thats true.. guess I didn't think about that!!!

[Tannis]

I haven't heard of kids that age getting cramps (not to say they couldn't though). If it happens a few times maybe its worth taking his to the Dr's? I only get them when I'm pregnant (although this time not as severe) and the Dr had told me it was lack of calcuim as the baby is taking what it needs. I can't see that being the case with Aricyn though, he's still having bottles isn't he? If the massage works then keep it up but I'd look into it further if it continues for too long...maybe even google it??

[Arimeh]

Yeah Tan he is still on 2 x 300ml bottles of cows milk - plus a sippy cup at lunch, plus cheese and yoghurt every day.. so I wouldn't imagine it would be that... but you bring up a good point, cos I think cramps are also caused by a lack of .. uh.. magnesium I think? Maybe his diet is not that good at the moment cos he doesn't really eat much else from what I mentioned above!!!
I dunno, its probably not cramps, I just thought they may be sore cos of the walkin.... who knows.. lol

[Tannis]

Just keep an eye on it, I'm sure it will work itself out and you know what its like after being at the gym or going on a big walk when you're not use to it...so you're probably right could just be sore from walking.

[tiggerandpooh]

Mel, giving his legs a massage is a great idea. It could be growing pains too.