8 year old starting puberty

[benbecca]

Hi Im not sure if this is the right area for this thread. Looking for anyone with similar experiance. Last week while helping my 8 year old daughter get dried after her bath, I noticed some dark hair under her arms. Doing a very discreet check there is also some dark hair around her pubic area. Of course googled it !!!. And it looks like it could be the case that my little girl is starting puberty - Im distraught - she is only 8 !!. What hit me first was the idea that this could also be the reason she has been so out of sorts the last couple of months - she is always a very happy carefree little girl - who all of a sudden started crying for no reason, and became very insecure away from me. I spent alot of time talking to her about this and even she couldnt explain to me why she had been feeling like this. I want to take her to the docs for the docs to check this for me - but of course that would just freak her out and if she is starting this, I dont want her to think that it is anything wrong. And no I havent had the talk with her about anything ! I thought I had at least another couple of years before I would have to tackle this, just wanted to keep my little girl a little girl for as long as possible. T x

[cheeseycharlie]

I don't share your experience but I'm bumping the thread as this sounds pretty unusual and if I were you I would want some advice from those who know!!
I agree that taking her to the dr will freak her out. You can go to the dr without her for an initial chat and to ask some questions.
Try posting in Chat - that board is a lot more lively and you'll usually get more responses
Bst of luck x

[mumofjust1]

My Dd is 12 and started puberty around the same age. It's horrible to think they're maturing so quickly

I took her to the Dr's who said there was nothing wrong with her and that kids generally are going through puberty younger and younger.

My Dd got her first period at the beginning of year 6 - she was the only one in her class. I had spoken to her about puberty and periods before it happened so she kind of knew what to expect and wasn't too phased by it. In fact she handled it really well.

No advice really I'm afraid, but try not to make to big a deal of it in front of her - the last thing I wanted to do was make her feel "abnormal"

If you Dd is starting already, she may have her period younger than you would have imagined. If you haven't already, have a chat with her about it so she knows it's normal. Maybe get her a book about how her body is changing and read through it with her? I remember finding it really hard to find a book which didn't include sex did get one when she was 10 which was quite good - will find out details and post for you later

[HerrenatheHHHarridan]

I got my period when I was 10 and a friend had it when she was 9 - so it does happen.

My mum's response was 'Oh. Umm. Right. Here are some towels, put them in your underwear, it'll happen once a month. Now get on with your homework.' It was a bonding moment

Do please talk to your daughter about the birds and bees BEFORE she gets a period if possible. I got a bit of a shock!!

[cheeseycharlie]

My mum gave me this book to read when I was 12 and I remember it really helped me. Looks like it has been recently re- issued so will be up to date. I'm fairly sure it didn't include anything about sex.

It's called "Have you started yet?" and includes loads of real life stories from other girls which I really liked. Maybe it will even have something from other early developers.

Sheesh that was a long time ago when I read it though!!

[benbecca]

Thanks :)

[ibizagirl]

Hi benbecca. First of all DON'T PANIC! It seems to be quite normal these days! My dd is 12 and i think she started puberty at age 6. She had very thick black hair in her armpits and also down below and also on legs. Also she had terrible b.o. Didn't make any difference having a bath every night and scrubbing and scrubbing. She had to use anti-perspirant and still there was a smell. Then there was the spots or should i say acne. From age 6. Doctors visits were not helpful. They just said "oh its teenage spots etc". BUT SHE IS 6!!. Not until we changed gp did dd get any help with spots and was put onto an antibiotic lotion which she still uses but spots much better. Periods came when she was 10 i think it was but she knew what it was thank goodness. Now dd is 12 and ok but i must say she is very hairy. Armpits and legs grow about an inch of hair every couple of days and i am not joking so they have to be "naired". And i have never seen so much pubic hair! Sounds horrible i know but it is so thick. The hairs are very long and there is so much of it. Want to take dd back to gp as she has dark hairs on back and stomach but she seems a bit reluctant to go. Best wishes.

[lifeisfuckinggreat]

It sounds like precocious puberty. It can happen naturally but occasionally has a medical cause. I would think a visit to the GP would set your mind at rest, you just have to downplay it to your DD.

[HerrenatheHHHarridan]

ibizagirl - 6 years old sounds rather young to be developing so much 'adult' hair (i.e. thicker and in locations you describe).

Not trying to scaremonger but I've heard of women with polycystic ovaries having lots more hair and also acne. It might be worth getting your DD checked sooner rather than later because from what I've read (thanks Wiki) it can be well managed with appropriate medication and diet.

Hopefully I'm wrong but since it sounds like you're heading to the GP anyway it can't hurt to ask....

[ibizagirl]

Thanks HerrenatheHHHarridan. My mum thinks it might be polycystic ovaries too. Dd has always had the symptoms for it when i looked it up on internet. Weight gain (she is overweight - doesn't eat much but eats well, no chocs or sweets, but can't shift an ounce) hairy including face. Did mention it at first or second gp visit but was told it wasn't that. It was just teenage spots (at 6) and her weight was because she was eating too much chocolate! Yes,ok, seeing as she doesn't actually like it. So was told "cut the chocolate bars out". Then the conversation went "but she doesn't like it and i don't buy them". So gp laughing and says "well she must be BUYING them from somewhere else". Where? What with? So we didn't get no further with him as you can see. So will try with a young lady doctor who was the one that prescribed spot stuff. If i can get dd to go as she is quite embarassed.

[Glittertwins]

Just to add that excessive body hair, spots and rapid weight gain, particularly around the tummy are 3 signs of PCOS. You don't have to have all the symptoms either, I just had the weight gain and it was eventually diagnosed when TTY. Not sure how such a young child could be scanned as its a bit invasive but I hope you can both get answers.

[Glittertwins]

*TTC that should read

[HerrenatheHHHarridan]

I'm glad you came back ibizagirl - I was dithering over sending you a pm just to be sure you got the info, but thought that might be a bit intrusive/stalkery....

Hope that you get a more intelligent response from a different GP, the original one sounds very crap indeed :(

Sorry to hijack your thread benbecca!

[ibizagirl]

Thanks for the advice everyone and sorry too for hijacking benbecca!!
Good luck benbecca.XX

[Leweslady]

It is very likely my 8 year old (only just 8 too) is starting puberty. I am waiting on blood tests but I have been pretty sure for about 6 months. I want to get her a book but one which is suitable for an 8 year old not the usual age of girls starting puberty. I see no need to trouble her with the 'full story' for at least a year or 2. She is still so young. Any recommendations? Thanks!

[Jo560]

My 6 year old has started! Went to GP and referred her straight to paediatrician. Just waiting now for the appointment. Reading up though between 8-14 is normal for girls but go to GP if your worried.