To ask if my 8 year old DD is going through puberty?

[Legallyblondeee]

I’ve recently started seeing small changes in my DD (8) her underarms are starting to smell, I’ve noticed black heads appear on her nose and then a few white heads on her forehead and nose today.
She’s gone from being a very happy little girl to being VERY emotional almost overnight. Although she has had something happen recently that has caused her some upheaval so maybe it’s stress?
I was very early into puberty and started my period at 10 years old but I thought 8 might be a bit early.
Has anyone else’s DD gone through this at that age and what do I do to approach it? First time ever doing this.

my DD is 10, nearly 11 and since the summer has been getting the occasional spot and mood swings. she is also starting to get pubic hair which she hates as she dances and doesn't want it seen out the side of leotards etc. i have given her hair removal cream, which she didn't get on with and a lesson in shaving. She takes growth hormones so I thought that was what had sped up the process but maybe this is just the average time for it all to happen

I posted something similar in the summer about my 8 year old. I noticed she was getting smelly (but it was during that really hot weather). I also noticed her hair was getting greasy quickly and some other more personal things. Now the weather is cooler she doesn’t seem to need deodorant again and her hair is better too. Her weight gain seems to have gone now too. She does seem to be getting some hips though.

@Legallyblondeee

It’s good to know the general consensus is that she is starting to change and that I’m not going crazy! In regards to her face do I now invest in a face wash for her? What’s the gentlest I can get she’s got very sensitive skin. She once stole my Estée Lauder face wash and it sent her skin bright red for days!

DD uses Lidl facewash, it is unscented and seems gentle. She uses it 2/3 times a week.

My daughter will be 9 next March and has started getting pubic hair and very smelly armpits. She’s a complete nightmare at the moment to. Doctor said it was all normal, I’m hoping she doesn’t get her period for a while though. Not much you can do sorry to say

It's very possible OP. I started my periods when I was at the end of Year 5. First girl in my school... happy times (not)

When I started, I found my Mum had already been stockpiling sanitary towels for me because she noticed changes in behaviour. I was apparently a stroppy mare.

If you haven't explained periods to your daughter yet, it might be a good time to get a head start and show her how to use sanitary towels. My Mum explained it to me so it wasn't an absolute shock to me when I started my period.

I think the important thing is not to over think it.

Buy a book to go through and make sure she understands what's going to be happening to her.

Make sure you are prepared fir anything to happen. There are lots of options that should make dealing with periods relatively easy/straight forward.

buddy gave good advice. Put the age out of your head. She needs what she needs when she needs it. Its not "inappropriate" She's not "too young" and putting age limits in things will not keep her "innocent" or "a child " longer it will just embarass her and make her feel crap about herself.

With regards to fash was go for something really really mild. Dd uses amies which seems quite nice and gentle. But don't use daily maybe once or twice a week. Use water the rest if the time.

Ultimately just be there for her. Which I'm.sure you will

@grey12 thank you but she doesn't actually dislike washing, she just doesn't mind being a stinky wotsit as she's got more fun things to do.

So we call her a stinky wotsit and to get in the shower - once she's in it's hard to get her out!

In terms of face wash we have a few which the 3 of us share. We have cetaphil on the go at the moment which is gentle.

Interestingly her twin sister who is taller and heavier is probably a good 6 months behind her puberty wise.

Face wash..stupid phone

Had some puberty symptoms with my DD at almost 8, sweaty armpits and a bit of hair. I was concerned and we had some investigations. Basically what I learnt was that she has something called early adrenarche which is the awakening of the adrenal glands which can cause these physiological symptoms. It is actually on a different circuit to breasts/periods and some kids get this early.
'True' puberty in girls starts with breast buds, then there is usually a growth spurt then periods 2-3 years after first sign of breast development.
So your DD sounds normal tbh. If she has any breast buds you could be 18months to 2 years from a period which is early but normal. If no breast development at all yet then she may be a bit further from her period starting.

@kierenthecommunity

The worst is the boys who start to get facial hair around 12 and their mothers insist on using hair removal cream instead of letting them shave - they ALWAYS get bullied for it. It's a really nasty thing to do to your child

Nastier being one of the bullies though.

Oh absolutely, bullies are much nastier. It's easy to say that if you're not the one being bullied though. The playground is the harshest judge of all. Things that happen there can set a precedent for the rest of a person's life. I bet there's tons of over 40s reading this who still think of themselves as 'Hairy Mary' or 'Stinky Sue' after being on the receiving end of these jibes as children.

You can say 'Well they shouldn't bully' 'til you're blue in the face but it won't stop them. They'll still do it and this is one of those times where clinging on to your DC's childhood is downright cruel.

Oh, and I forgot to recommend good old Simple face wash (and moisturiser if needed). Great value and one of the few brands I can tolerate. Cheap enough to buy on a 'just to try' basis.

My DD is exactly the same so is my son. They are nearly 9. Both have hairs, spots, greasy hair and smell. My DD is developing in her chest too. I bought them a face wash and deodorant, I also bought her crop tops instead of vests now. She isnt too concerned over it and hasn't said anything about the hairs so I'm leaving her for now. I did talk about body changes to her and she panicked about having 'boobies'but I told her that it takes a long time and that I will be there to talk to and help and that it's all natural and part of growing up. Then I went to bed and cried! It feels too young but I've done alot of research and is normal.

I was 9 and my mum had not told me what periods even were I was devastated I still remember the day as I had no idea what was happening.

My friends daughter had exactly the same - underarm smell at 8 and periods at 10. I bought her some bamboo period pants which you can get very small. This girl was wearing a size 6 children’s pants but I still managed to find period pants which fit.