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Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Behaviour/development

Does anyone else have a daughter who's starting puberty early?

34 replies

mummyloveslucy · 04/09/2013 17:25

Hi, my daughter is only eight and a half, but is developing breasts and has some pubic hair. She is very tall for her age and to make things more awkward, she has severe learning difficulties.
While she is quite proud of her developing chest, she is horrified that she is getting pubic hair and has tried to pull it out. I have kept things very matter of fact for her and explained that she'll end up looking like me.
She is getting quite stroppy at the moment and has started worrying about every thing. I'm not sure weather or not it's linked?
Is it worth seeing the GP about the early puberty? Also is it worth mentioning to her one to one worker at school? If you have been through this and have any advice or tips I'd be grateful as I don't know of anyone else who has. Thanks.

OP posts:

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ITCouldBeWorse · 04/09/2013 17:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mummyloveslucy · 04/09/2013 17:34

Oh wow! That is scary! I hope she doesn't start her periods for a while yet. I should talk to her about that too then. We bought some crop tops recently and she does use deodorant. What book did you use? I don't think she's ready to learn about sex though. She still likes In the night garden.

OP posts:

hellymelly · 04/09/2013 17:42

My dd is 8 and has some pubic hair. The GP said that they "wouldn't do anything about it unless she was 5" !!! But dd is really bothered by the hair and would like to know how things might pan out. (late puberty common in my family, so v. surprised by this anyway). We are trying to find out if we can get her checked over privately but I am not sure how to begin as my GP was so unconcerned.

mummyloveslucy · 04/09/2013 17:45

Hmm, early puberty does run in our family. The girls tend be very tall as children, but average as adults. I think you stop growing when you finish puberty don't you? That would explain it. My nan started her periods at 9 I think.

OP posts:

mummyloveslucy · 04/09/2013 17:50

I am surprised the GP was so unconcerned. Is your DD tall for her age or bigger built? If not, then I would seek a second opinion, especially as it doesn't run in your family.

OP posts:

ITCouldBeWorse · 04/09/2013 20:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mummyloveslucy · 04/09/2013 20:41

Oh thank you. I'll have a look at it. I think Lucy would be horrified!

OP posts:

Wishihadabs · 04/09/2013 20:42

This is my day job ! I would go back to your GP and insist on a referral. if you want the name of some one to see privately pm me.

hellymelly · 04/09/2013 22:12

wishihadabs, I can't pm you, can't click on your name, but if you could pm me I would be v. grateful. My Mum was 16 starting her periods, me nearly 16, my DH was about 14 he thinks hitting puberty and his sister started her periods at 14, so no early puberty at all. I have read that there can be an androgen issue causing hair early, but not necessarily periods, and as my DD is so distressed by the hair she and I would like to know whether she is likely to start menstruating really early. I think she had the first signs of hair just before 8, but it was hard to notice. Now she has a bit more at the front, and is getting very bothered by it. I know there can be growth/bone issues with early puberty so am worried. She is tallish now, but not terribly so, and she is very light for her age anyway, slightly built.

hellymelly · 04/09/2013 22:14

Oh and OP, you only grow about two inches after periods start.

couldsleepforahundredyears · 05/09/2013 06:49

Hello,

I was the same. And I got my period when I was 9. When I saw blood on my knickers I thought I was dying, I was really scared. I would just advise you tell her about periods so when it happens she knows what's going on. X

couldsleepforahundredyears · 05/09/2013 07:03

I would also inform her teacher. We didn't, and I told my "best friend" who then told the whole class. I was mortified and my teacher had to take me aside as I was so upset. Just try not to make a big deal of it if you can. Good luck x

valiumredhead · 05/09/2013 07:19

Quite a few of my friends' dds started periods at 9 so I wouldn't consider this especially early.

couldsleepforahundredyears · 05/09/2013 07:33

Sorry for drip posting...small baby here to contend with. In regards to the height issue, I'm short...5.1. And my boobs grew to quite enormous size for my height...32 HH (and bigger while I was pregnant and breastfeeding obviously!)

mummyloveslucy · 05/09/2013 09:46

Oh, so my DD could actually end up quite short as an adult if she starts her periods soon! She is 4 foot 8 at the moment, which is very tall for her age, but not for an adult.
I'll let her one to one lady know, as she's responsible for getting her changed, personal care etc.

OP posts:

hellymelly · 05/09/2013 10:22

Yes, adult height is one of the issues with precocious puberty as children won't achieve their full potential height.

Wishihadabs · 05/09/2013 11:29

have pM.D. you

piratecat · 05/09/2013 11:32

I believe it's earlier than normal puberty, but not considered outside the age variation. (ie precocious puberty)

My dd was 8 when she began to have very smelly armpits, followed by tender breast buds, this lasted about 6 months. Then came some pubes.

She started her periods at 9yrs and 10 months. I think your dd could be similar.

piratecat · 05/09/2013 11:34

I don't believe your dd has precocious puberty, just earlier.

My dd was prob the same height as your dd. Your dd might have a massive growth spurt now, as when the hormones kicked in my dd was even growing out of socks very quickly.

Was chatting to my neighbour the other day, (in her 60's) and she started hers at 9 too. So it does happen. hth

piratecat · 05/09/2013 11:38

you don't only grown about two inches after your periods start!!!

my dd has grown 4 more in a yr and a quarter, after she started her periods at 9.10.

Wishihadabs · 05/09/2013 12:00

Yes technically PP is under 8. However OPs dd has SN. It is challenging enough to get periods at primary school for a nt child. I know consultants who would put the brakes on in the OP's circumstances. She at least deserves a consultation to discuss the options.

piratecat · 05/09/2013 12:35

yes i agree. i just didn't want the op to worry it was not within a normal range for her dd age.
hope you get some answers.

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hellymelly · 05/09/2013 14:19

wishihadabs would you pm me too? Would be v. helpful to know who we could see privately to let us know roughly what stage dd is at.
piratecat- that is good to hear, as all the info online, and on here about pp says roughly 2" post puberty is the norm. I am taller than average and want DD to achieve her height potential.

valiumredhead · 05/09/2013 14:28

I grew taller after starting my periods too.

mitchsta · 05/09/2013 14:49

I definitely think you should explain the whole period thing sooner rather than later. Better for her to be prepared a year or two in advance and understand what's happening than before she knows what to expect and for her to be terrified! I had really good period talks in school - at primary and secondary - and I was still mortified when it eventually happened, so god knows what I'd have felt like if it came completely out of the blue!

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