In your experience, how long from the first signs of puberty to periods?

[ShowOfHands]

DD has had breast buds for a few months and has just started developing pubic hair. She also sweats after PE and is asking for deodorant.

I wondered at what point I should put some sanitary gubbins in her school bag.

She's all clued up re puberty and knows what to expect but I'm not entirely sure of time frames. Somehow I've forgotten everything about my own development.

I'm also feeling surprising wobbly. It all sneaks up a bit doesn't it? I mean I expected she'd get bigger but I thought it would be a gradual process, not one which happens unnoticed and then clobbers me round the head with this undeniable and inexorable march towards adulthood.

[mejon]

I've been wondering the same. DD1 is 10 in August but her breast buds have become quite noticeable over the past few weeks and her shape is changing though I'm not sure if that's from lack of exercise or puberty (!) Haven't yet noticed any increase in sweating or hair growth but she is a raging bag of hormones most of the time . I have bought some sanitary protection 'just in case' and I'm planning on putting some in her bag when she goes on a school residential for a few nights in a fortnight or so. I was 13 when my periods started but I can't for the life of me remember when other stuff started though.

[Jitterybug]

12-18 mths from the first signs here.

[Adelie0404]

my daughter is coming up on 12 and like yours ShowOfHands. Rapid growth in height (she's delighted as has always been small) and hair under arms and the very start of pubic hair. I still think it will be another 6-12 m before periods. Some of her friends are not having a nice time, so she wisely hopes the start is later! Luckily not hormonal yet - hoping not to lose my sweet girl.

[PerspicaciaTick]

About 4 years for DD. Periods didn't start til she was 12, I'd been really worried about her being a very early starter though as she started growing at about 8yo.

[FannyFanakapan]

DD was about 2 years from breast buds - started periods at 13.5, and was the last in her class. Had been teased mercilessly for having no boobs. By the end of year 9, she was in an E cup!

[EdithSimcox]

I think the 'textbook' length of time is about 2 years. But it can clearly be longer, and shorter. For Dd1, breast buds in year 5, periods in year 6. I can't remember the exact ages. She has friends who were wildly different - eg v skinny, no breasts until just before periods age 11, and larger, breasts from 8 yo but periods at 12.5.

[BrandNewAndImproved]

This is my dd as well. She's ten and now has underarm hair and developing pubic hairs and breast buds.

She gets really tearful every now and again which isn't like her so I'm assuming it's hormonal. I really hope it will be a couple more years until she starts having periods as ten just seems so young.

[lousylear]

My d was 11. It was around 2 years after she started getting buds and hair. She actually started the day they had the sex ed talk in year 6 at school
Much to mine and her teacher's amusement. Tell her teacher when she starts if still at primary school then your d will have someone at sch to help if necessary. They will prob put some supplies in girls' toilets. Our school were great. Secondary schools are geared up for it but primary less so. My d has been fine with it. No probs whatsoever. She just gets on with it.

[Dancergirl]

Secondary schools are geared up for it but primary less so

They really should be nowadays with about 25% of girls starting periods at primary school I think I read somewhere.

My dd starting growing breast buds about 11, periods started just before her 13th birthday so about 2 years.

[JustDanceAddict]

I would say a good 18 months. DD first started wearing a crop top at just 11 and she started periods pretty much 2 years later, after her massive growth spurt!

[BrandNewAndImproved]

Hasn't height got something to do with it as well. My dds about 5'3/4 already with size 5 feet!

[DownWithTheKaleBrigade]

Good luck. My DD has been a proper strop bag for what seems like an eternity!! Honestly, it seems like only last year she was pulling me in for hugs at bedtime and now its mAssive cold shoulder!! My mum bought her this box from Sanitary Owl which had a really good book in it talking about what to expect with puberty and periods. DD loved it, well as much as I could tell . Its got loads of other products and advice for both the parents and the teen, plus it felt like a present for DD... again as much as I could tell before the next strop arrived!

Dont think book said how soon after buds, but DD was about 18 months.

[Ffffffftttttttt]

DD is about 5ft 1 with size 5 feet! Shot up and suddenly very slender. She is almost 11 with some pubic hair and small breasts (still in crop top). No underarm hair or BO yet. She's had Sanpro and change of Knicks in her school bag since year 5.