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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To let my 7yo ds use a bit of deodorant?

32 replies

JulietBravoJuliet · 04/09/2013 19:57

Ds is a very sweaty child! It's never really bothered him until recently, when a boy commented at his summer sports camp that he was "stinky". Now he showers and baths regularly, but after a day running around, he does smell and I don't want him getting picked on for it.

When we were in Asda last night, he slipped one of those travel sized Lynx sprays into the trolley and when I asked where it had come from, he looked all embarrassed and said he just wanted to smell nice. I've let him buy it and use a little squirt today. I know deodorant body sprays won't stop him sweating, but I feel an antiperspirant would be too harsh on his skin and if it makes him feel better, is there any harm?

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 04/09/2013 20:06

What about PitROK?

Retroformica · 04/09/2013 20:08

I wouldn't. Think of all the chemicals. Why not use something more natural like those crystal rocks deodorants

freddiefrog · 04/09/2013 20:10

My DD1 uses Pitrok and it's really good

Sirzy · 04/09/2013 20:11

I would find a nice gentle one but yes if he is self concious I would.

McNewPants2013 · 04/09/2013 20:12

I would get him a roll on.

Also i would be asking advice and perhaps get his apocrine glands checked.

Sarahlundismyhero · 04/09/2013 20:14

My 9 year old ds has always been sweaty and in the last year quite BO-ey as well- so we encourage him to use my dh deodorant when he can, I think it's fine and if he needs it then go for it, but as has been said perhaps get a gentle one to start with Smile

DoItTooJulia · 04/09/2013 20:14

Ive just had this with my 8 year old ds. I have bought him a natural one from lush with tea tree and lemon in.

It's the aluminium I want to avoid in normal deodorants. I have heard that young girls should always put deodorant in with their bras on to avoid getting it to close to breast tissue, but obviously that's not possible for boys, so I went for as natural as possible.

I think it's fine that he wants to smell nice and sweet that he has put a deodorant in the shopping. Bless him.

phantomnamechanger · 04/09/2013 20:15

I would suggest you buy him a roll-on - for a start off most school residential trips say no sprays because they a) trigger asthma in others and b) set off the fire alarms!

You certainly cant let him be teased for being smelly and I second the suggestion to seek medical advice as there may be an underlying issue

Original poster
JulietBravoJuliet · 04/09/2013 20:18

I'll have a look at Pitrok :)

Do I need to get him checked? He's always been a little ball of sweat, right from being a baby! His dad's the same so I just assumed he took after him!

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 04/09/2013 20:21

I'd rather risk my DS armpits with a spray than his self esteem being called "Stinky" Sad

Original poster
JulietBravoJuliet · 04/09/2013 20:23

70 that was my logic last night when I let him buy the spray. Kids can be cruel, so any little thing I can do to avoid that must be worth it?

OP posts:
comingalongnicely · 04/09/2013 20:39

Just let the poor devil spray his sweaty pits....

If you spend too much time worrying about which form of deo is "in" with the MN crowd the poor lad will be labelled as "stinky pits" until he's an old man...

Feminine · 04/09/2013 20:47

I agree with coming most of the 'natural' ones have something a little nasty also.

My eldest sometimes needed a bit at five! Totally normal teen now.

My youngest son (10) still only needs a swipe sometimes...

Most natural ones don't work anyway.

I also think, I'd risk a lick of roll on over teasing.

Original poster
JulietBravoJuliet · 04/09/2013 20:54

I think a lot of the problem is how bloody hot it's been this summer; I doubt, come winter, that he'll need deodorant every day, but he's spent most of the summer holidays doing 5 hours a day at sports camp and has come home soaked through with sweat everyday. He's a naturally sweaty, and very active, child!

OP posts:
NomDeOrdinateur · 04/09/2013 21:02

YANBU, but I'd suggest starting him off with a gentle roll-on like the Dove 0% alcohol one in case his skin is sensitive, as the alcohol and harsh perfumes can cause soreness. I don't really worry about iffy chemicals in deodorant being absorbed through the skin (that way madness lies, IMO), but I don't think it's great to breathe it in every day or put needlessly harsh stuff directly onto such young skin.

inneedofsomehelpplz · 04/09/2013 21:04

yanbu :-P

Feminine · 04/09/2013 21:04

Yes, def a roll -on! that blooming Lynx should wait Grin

Original poster
JulietBravoJuliet · 04/09/2013 21:11

Yes I did think I'd got a few more years before I had to choke through a fug of Lynx in his bedroom! I'll get him a gentle roll on next time we go shopping; it just took me by surprise last night and I didn't feel the middle of Asda was the place for a discussion about the best type to use, especially as he was all embarrassed about it!

OP posts:
Dobbiesmum · 04/09/2013 21:11

Not Lynx!! My DS went to pick up some deo and brought some back. We were tasting it for weeks and that was with only a small spray.
With him being so young I second using something gentle just in case his skin reacts. I use Lush deodorant bars, the men's versions are very subtle of smell Grin

Original poster
JulietBravoJuliet · 04/09/2013 21:19

Ooh I love Lush stuff Grin Will check out their deodorant bars!

OP posts:
ILetHimKeep20Quid · 04/09/2013 22:26

My 8 year old has a skoosh of lynx before heading out to school. I spend the rest of the day tasting it.

DorisIsWaiting · 04/09/2013 22:45

DD8 has had one for over a year ( The sanex 0% one).

I was in the car with her (and her friends) on the way to ballet and I had a sudden epiphany that my beautiful dd stank of BO.

She doesn't need it all the time, it seems to cycle every few weeks (probably with hormones)

Edendance · 04/09/2013 22:58

Get him the deodorant! Hopefully it'll encourage good personal hygiene as he gets older and quite honestly- there's chemicals in everything, that doesn't necessarily make it 'bad'. I tried the lush bars a few years ago and found them to be crap so I wouldn't waste your money. Far better to get him something which does the job and that he can feel grown up to own and use. Poor boy- growing up can be hard!

Vintagebeads · 04/09/2013 23:51

My 8 year old DS has started getting a bit wiffy I was reccomended Sanex Zero roll on.Its solved the problem and its one of the more gentle ones although i think boots do a kids roll on hth .

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