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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be concerned about 8 year old having underarm hair

27 replies

user1474926891 · 27/09/2016 08:52

DD started smelling of BO a couple of months ago, so I bought her a gentle deoderant.

I've know noticed a tiny amount of underarm hair, when she was in the shower.

She was 8 at the end of July, so this seems very young to me.

I've made a doctor appointment, but I'm worried about what could be the cause of starting puberty years early.

OP posts:
Original poster
user1474926891 · 27/09/2016 08:54

I should add that she's tall for her age. Maybe third tallest girl in her year, of 60 children.

OP posts:
Bountybarsyuk · 27/09/2016 08:56

Puberty isn't just about starting periods, it's breast growth, hair, changes in hormones, and that starts up to two years or more before periods. I'm pretty sure 8 is normal these days, this phase starts much earlier than it did in the past, we don't know why, but I think early onset puberty is before age 7, so whilst you can go to the dr, I think they will reassure you this is entirely normal. One of mine had hair growth by 8 and periods by 10/11.

Bountybarsyuk · 27/09/2016 08:57

You are right that taller and larger girls hit puberty earlier. It does seem very early and it is ok to have a pang of sadness, but I do think it is normal.

MrsJayy · 27/09/2016 08:58

I know its a shock as she seems but it really isn't that young these days some girls start their period at 9 take her to her appointment but i dont think anything sinister is happening to her.

MrsJayy · 27/09/2016 08:59

Dd1 was 8 when she started developing.

ParanoidGynodroid · 27/09/2016 09:00

Its young but not that uncommon. Get reassurance from your Dr , but talk to your DD about periods and puberty. She may well be anxious about this herself.

MrsJayy · 27/09/2016 09:01

She was tallest girl in her class till she was about 10 then others caught up and overtook her.

Hockeydude · 27/09/2016 09:02

At 8, I think this is ok. The NHS website says the lowest part of the "normal" range is 8.

zigzagbetty · 27/09/2016 09:04

I started my periods at nine and started developing much earlier, I wasn't the only girl in my year to do so and remember my mum and dad having a talk about it with me. I would have a chat with leaflets and see how she responds. I remember my mum talking to the school as I had to use the teachers toilet as the kids one didn't have sanitary bins 😕

zigzagbetty · 27/09/2016 09:05

I am 5'10" as well and was always head and shoulders above classmates!!

OhTheRoses · 27/09/2016 09:06

DD was 8. 2nd tallest, needed a bra at 10, menarch at 10-1\2. We nurtured her. Then all the tiny girly overtook her by the time she was 12. She's now 18 and a very faint size 8 and 5'3". Totally normal. Please don't make your DD feel awkward.

OhTheRoses · 27/09/2016 09:07

Girls not girly.

NerrSnerr · 27/09/2016 09:07

I don't think 8 is classed as early nowadays, it's on the bottom end of normal for puberty.

MrsJayy · 27/09/2016 09:09

Dd is in her 20s and not that tall 5.2ish all her growing seemed to be done by the time she was 12 where her sister was still growing till she was 15,

han01uk · 27/09/2016 09:11

Hi. I am going through the same with my daughter. Pubic hair and underarm hair doesn't always mean puberty...hormones that produce these changes are different to the ones which produce great development,which is a sure sign of starting puberty. My daughter has public hair,aged 7 and a half. She has had tests for precocious puberty,bone density scans and urine analysis. The Drs have said a surge in adrenal hormones can cause hair growth, which is quite common around 7 or 8 years. This doesn't necessarily mean puberty is starting. I would still get her checked out,but try not to worry. And make her feel like these changes are normal,my daughter is suffering with feeling different to her friends.

blinkowl · 27/09/2016 09:17

If it's any consolation, apparently earlier puberty can mean later menopause. A pretty significant silver lining IMO.

trafalgargal · 27/09/2016 09:27

Not sure why more years of periods, cramps ,PMS etc would be a consolation . Menopause is a normal function not something to be feared .

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 27/09/2016 09:33

Why is this happening?

I seem to remember 12 to 14 being the norm, and it's younger now.

zigzagbetty · 27/09/2016 09:38

Well I'm 40 so mine was 31 years ago Shock and I think I'm pretty normal Grin I think it has more to do with girls getting taller which has been a general trend.

phoenix1973 · 27/09/2016 09:47

I started my periods about 9 I think. In the mid 80s.
My mate started at 14, lucky thing. But hers were dreadful for her, mine were not.
Your girl is normal.

pocketsaviour · 27/09/2016 09:48

Well back in the 20s and 30s the norm was about 14-15, so it's been slowly getting younger for many years. I remember when I was at school the biology teacher discussed this and her theory was that it's because we have much better nutrition from conception and throughout the child's life. Certainly this theory is supported by girls who are underweight starting their periods later.

MulberryBush12 · 27/09/2016 09:55

I developed under arm hair at 9/10 but didn't start my periods until 15. Also was very tall at that age 5'2" and 6' now. Daughter very similar. IME not inevitable that full blown puberty is imminent.

SpartaCarcass · 27/09/2016 10:03

The Usborne Book What's Happening to me is a great book. I was reading it last night - says what everyone else is on here. Early side but normal.

Memoires · 27/09/2016 10:16

DD started puberty i a small way around 8. I was told that this is withon the normal range.

Original poster
user1474926891 · 27/09/2016 10:25

Thanks all. Very reassuring.

OP posts: