8.5 year old dd, breast development, do I do anything?

[barleysugar]

Hi just wondered if I should take my daughter to the gp or if it's normal! She is 8.5, and seems to be developing breasts, they are only little but you can see them through clothes.

She is otherwise healthy and normal, and no other signs of puberty.

Thankyou for any advice!

[sunshine1991]

I know periods can start at 9 but don't know about breasts prob best seeing gp in case .. Is her diet ok full of fresh homemade cos I know that to much tined can frozen etc can cause this but very rare

[barleysugar]

Oh I'd not heard that before! No, we have all freshly made food, unless the occasional tin of baked beans counts!

[workingtitle]

I went through puberty quite early, underarm/public hair at 8/9, boobs at 9ish and period at 11. I was very grateful to my mum for taking me to get a bra top (just a sloggi crop top if I recall!). Have you spoken to her about puberty at all?

[barleysugar]

Oh yes we've talked about it, the drip drip approach seems to work, and I've been open about my periods, she has seen quite a lot of that.

[HolgerDanske]

I would think it's entirely normal, I seem to remember it was about that age for me too. But if you are feeling very uneasy you could call your GP, I guess.

[Blankiefan]

Definitely take her to the GP. I developed early and the doc arranged for hormone checks to make sure everything was ok.

I'd been very asthmatic as a child and they we're concerned my development may have come in due to the meds.

On a different front, you may want to prep her to deal with any nasty comments. At school swimming lessons, it was noted by a nasty girl in the changing rooms that I had "pubes" and was teased for it. A couple of quick responses may have helped me.

[HolgerDanske]

I don't think I would take one of my daughters to the GP to discuss this. I would have a separate appointment first, and see what they advise. Not sure I would want to plant ideas in their mind that there's something wrong with starting to develop breasts...

[Bedsheets4knickers]

I def began to swell in primary school. Get her some crop tops to wear under her clothes, it's absolutely normal x

[AlpacaLypse]

It's early, but not ridiculously early. By all means have a chat with GP, but I think you'll find it's just one of those things.

There are a couple of good threads in the archives about preparing yourself and your daughter for menarche, I'll fish around and link them.

[alita7]

just get her a little bra top, I had little peaks at 8 and my period at 10. just be aware she may need to wash more or use deodorant soon.

[AlpacaLypse]

This one is obviously about the next stage on, but there's loads of thoughtful advice about being prepared.

[ilovepowerhoop]

precocious puberty is puberty starting before 6-8 years in girls and 9 years in boys according to the NHS, so 8½ years isnt ultra early for your dd. My dd probably started developing around that age - she is 10 and still hasnt started her periods but has definite breasts forming and is starting to get hair on her pubis.