Onset of puberty

[Mendi]

DD is 9 and a few months ago breast buds started to develop. More recently I noticed a fine - but definitely more than before - layer of hairs on her mons whatever you call it and labia.

Haven't commented on either as don't want her to feel at all self-conscious. But today in the warmer weather I noticed for the first time quite a strong sweat smell in her armpits. So we talked about that and washing and deodorant. All fine.

My question is, does this mean she might start periods soon? Nine seems so young. But I didn't have any of these signs till at least age 11 so maybe she is an early starter? How can you tell?

Weirdly, her brother is 11.5 and yet his sweat never smells and he has no physical signs of puberty yet apart from a croaky voice a lot of the time.

[ItsDecisionTime]

I would think it unlikely she would start her periods for at least a year or two yet. My DD was 6 when I noticed the really bad BO and she had started to develop breast buds around the age of 10. Started her periods on the first day of secondary school but was way behind her peer group, some of which started in Year 5.

[Mendi]

Oh that's a relief! Thanks

[Coriander73]

Hi, just posted on another thread. DD who is 8 (9 in September) is under the paediatrician for precocious puberty. She started having body ordour at 7 and earlier this year I noticed public hairs on both her vagina and under her arms. The body smell is getting stronger but I was advised not to let her use deodorant etc although I'm tempted (more out of possible peer comments but she herself is completely unaware). Tbh, I'm finding it all a bit sad just because she's so young but it is what it is so am trying it get on with it the best I can. The Usborne book "what's happening to me" is a positive start.

[Mendi]

Thanks Coriander. We have the Usborne book, which she likes. I feel it's just a case of keeping an eye on things now. Hopefully we'll have at least another year or so before periods.

Sorry you're dealing with early onset puberty. Your DD is so young. At least she isn't aware of it, I think self-consciousness is the thing that makes children feel really uncomfortable.

[valiumredhead]

I know a few friends whose girls are 9/10 and have started already do don't rule it out. I'd certainly be preparing her.

[Coriander73]

We have spoken in great depth about periods and what to expect / do should it happen and I'm not around. Funnily enough tonight she has been complaining of tummy ache but couldn't quite describe the sensations she was having. This led on to her becoming v tearful and asking me why these changes were happening to her as in her words "I'm only 8 mummy"....it's so heart wrenching...

[Hulababy]

DD started developing at age 9. Got her first bra around her 10th birthday, though could have got one before that in hindsight. She started her periods just after Christmas this year - aged 10y8m. She's 11y now and coping well.

[Coriander73]

Ok..advice please! We haven't gone through the whole book yet but having reading myself cover to cover the only bit that makes me uneasy, given her age, is the mention of masturbation. I don't have issue with the subject per se just feel, perhaps unjustly that 8 is far too young to even go there with this. Am almost tempted to rip page out...Am I worrying too much?

[Mendi]

I think it's fine Coriander. I decided that for my own DD (9) because I clearly remember at that age having 'nice feelings' when having to climb ropes in PE, but not knowing what they were and feeling slightly ashamed about it. It wasn't until I was about 15 that I worked out what it was. I'd rather DD understood how her body works.

[janiemark]

Hi I have a 9 year old that is beginning to develop. She knows nothing about it and actually she did not realise she smells from under the arms. I didn't want her to be talked about by the other kids, so
I did research and have now found this new deodorant especially for kids in Boots. I bought it and the difference is fantastic. She uses it every morning. It does not contain any hamfrul chemicals and is called
Fresh Kidz. I am really worried that so many children like mine seem to be developing earlier.

[Coriander73]

Aha...might have to get some. We had the deodorant conversation this evening...DD wanting to know when she would have to use it and I said probably by next year (although will monitor). The usbourne book seems to have really settled her....she told DH that she's relived that its normal to feel this or that and that its made her realise she's not alone so to speak.

[Coriander73]

Why are some children developing earlier? Has it always been the case but we didn't notice or is there something else at work? I was 11 but even the paediatrician remarked that the cases of young girls from 7/8 are getting higher and she's even seen some 6 year olds..:(

[Galdos]

Bizarrely, I understand the average age for puberty is 13. But some are early, others late. My eldest (just 13) started budding (nipples, hair, some discharge) when last Q aged 12. I also understand that full on periods may be a year later. D1 has embraced pads, but complains of chafing. Overall, I think the best policy is to be pretty low key - all natural stuff, nothing to be afeared of, and also to suggest some note- swapping with her peer group, so she doesn't feel a freak. Some guidance/reassurance from female relatives may help depending on daughter/relatives. It can be a frightening time, and the child can think she is a weirdo or ill, when she absolutely isn't.

[aristocat]

I am so glad to find this thread my DD is 9 and has developed pubic hair. We also have the Usborne book and I have reassured her that everything is normal.

Growing up far too quickly ....

[MrsDmitriTippensKrushnic]

DD is 9 (10 in November) and had downy underarm hair and has started developing breast buds.

I don't think starting to develop at this age means they're necessarily on the verge of getting their periods. I was fully developed in Yr6 with regards to breasts and hair - I remember going shopping for my first bra with my Mum - but I didn't actually have my first one until I was end of Yr7/beginning Yr8. Having said that, we've done the talk and she's got a couple of books. I'd rather she was comfortable about it all now than it come as a big shock later.

Oddly enough my Mum spoke at length to me about periods and I had no issues at all, but having done that it seems we forgot about my younger sister. I think we assumed she'd picked it up when it all went on with me, but she's nearly 5 years younger and started far earlier than me (yr6) and she was very shocked and upset when it happened to her. I still feel pretty guilty that she got forgotten about

[123rd]

My dd aged 9 has had buds for well over a year, she is very petite so it seems quite obvious on her,poor thing. She swings from being v conscious of them to laughing about them. No hair any where or smelly arm pits. Yet. I'm really dreading her starting her periods tho.. Way to young.

[mrssprout]

My DD is 10, breast buds started last year but no signs of anything else. I have tried casually mentioning things when chats turn in that general direction but she quickly tries to change the subject. She is totally horrified by it all, very much still a little girl in her thinking. When a friend at school told her you had to take your clothes off with a boy to have a baby she came home & sobbed, she was heartbroken.
My concern is that she is so reluctant to listen that she will be caught out starting a period when she is at school & will panic because she won't really let me prepare her, she shuts down conversations about anything like this. Any ideas ?

[aristocat]

mrss my DD still sees herself as a little girl too. Honestly the book 'Whats happening to me' is really good and explains everything easily. Perhaps get it and read it together