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AIBU?

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Original poster

Early Puberty?

30 replies

Natty281 · 21/02/2021 18:35

Hi All,

I have three boys, two of them being twins. They are 9 in May and have quite bad body odour if they haven’t used deodorant. It started about a year ago and for some reason it seems to have been triggered by them putting on deodorant when copying their big brother.

I was looking for a child friendly deodorant and came across a website saying that a boy under 9 shouldn’t have body odour and it could be a sign that somethings not right. Have anyone else experienced this?

One of my twins also has fine hair under their arms, only a bit, and they are naturally quite hairy since birth.

I’ve booked a GP appointment but I wondered if anyone else has had a child with early body odour?

OP posts:
GinWithLime · 21/02/2021 18:47

I think that's quite normal actually. Just ensure he's using bar soap and deodorant regularly.

SewingWarriorQueen76 · 21/02/2021 18:49

Are they actewashinh when I the shower or just faffing around under the shower head?

twoshedsjackson · 21/02/2021 18:54

It's a little bit early, but it's a good that you're checking it out with the GP.
I once had a lad in my form who was given puberty blockers for a short time; Year 4, so 8 or 9. Dad gave me the "heads up" as his form teacher. Apparently, they just held back the adolescent growth spurt for a short time, as if it starts early, it finishes early and then the bones are set, so to speak. After a year, he became just another one who started to shoot up a bit early, and by VIth form was just one of the shorter chaps.

rosiejaune · 21/02/2021 18:54

The deodorant might have killed their armpit microbiome and left space for bacteria which cause smells to move in. Soap and chlorine etc can do that too. We just wash in water.

We're meant to have ammonia oxidising bacteria on our skin, which don't cause smells, but they come from soil and natural bodies of water, and they reproduce more slowly than others, so most people don't have them any more.

littlepeas · 21/02/2021 18:56

I don’t know about boys - I think my ds was about 10 when he started to whiff a bit - but I certainly have a couple of friends whose dds were a bit smelly at that age.

Is it def a proper BO smell? My 9 year old can smell a bit sweaty if he’s been running around outside a lot (I always think of it as a ‘tennis’ smell, because it’s how my dad always smelled after he came home from playing tennis) but it’s not that oniony BO smell.

ghostyslovesheets · 21/02/2021 18:57

it's not early - it's early within the normal range (I speak from a girls pov - one of mine was full on into puberty at 8 ) apparently between 7.5 and 18 is 'normal'.

Incidentally her periods didn;t start until 15!

NoGoodPunsLeft · 21/02/2021 19:00

My friend's DD started using roll on at age 6, had loads of tests & nothing found to be wrong just hormones kicking in earlier than is common.

Is probably speak to the GP just in case but then ensure good hygiene.

PlayingTheDevilsAvocado · 21/02/2021 19:00

I don’t know about boys but my DDs were stinky at that age, or even younger. They seem to go through a stage where no amount of soap and water, deodorant and clean clothes make a difference.

Original poster
Natty281 · 21/02/2021 19:10

Thank you so much for all the responses! It has made me feel much less anxious. Googling things always gives you the worst case scenario and I do tend to spiral from there so I really appreciate this kick back to reality. Hopefully everything is fine and they’re just a bit smelly 😂

OP posts:
VaryCherry · 22/03/2021 19:10

Natty: Boys will have some body odor before puberty. it's a different kind, but still kind of gross smelling.

I have 4 boys, and boys will begin puberty at different ages. Anywhere from 8 years old to 18 years old, but most commonly around 11 or 12. The first sign is sudden and rapid growth of the genitals and testicles, accompanied by pubic hair. Stronger body odor through perspiration and the voice will start to change. Nocturnal Ejaculations will also begin (also known as wet dreams), and that can start as early as 8 years, but more commonly between 11 & 13 years of age. They are a normal and healthy part of a boy going through puberty and your son will quickly learn to use a face cloth or hand towel to reduce any mess from it. You will know cause your son will either approach you with question and tell you that it's happening, or you will discover it on his sheets or on face cloths and towels when doing laundry. Trust me with 4 boys in the house, (3 of whom are well into puberty, I've had to buy a lot of extra face cloths and laundry detergent.

nimbuscloud · 22/03/2021 19:17

Oh good
Let’s all start chatting about our teenage boys’ wet dreams
Not

VladmirsPoutine · 22/03/2021 19:26

Let’s all start chatting about our teenage boys’ wet dreams

This has to be one of the most bizarre interventions on a thread I've seen in a while Confused

partyatthepalace · 22/03/2021 19:27

They are on the early side but not very. It will be nothing, but yes in boys should be checked by a doctor.

partyatthepalace · 22/03/2021 19:29

@VladmirsPoutine

Let’s all start chatting about our teenage boys’ wet dreams

This has to be one of the most bizarre interventions on a thread I've seen in a while Confused

In all fairness the PP is responding to a bit of a weird off topic essay in the responses...
nimbuscloud · 22/03/2021 19:34

@ VladmirsPoutine

Did you deliberately leave out the last word in my reply??
And @partyatthepalace is correct. I was replying to the post immediately above mine.

Original poster
Natty281 · 22/03/2021 19:37

Thank you! I have three boys also but my eldest is only 12 so I’m only just getting into that stage of parenting!! Appreciate the info Smile

OP posts:
HavelockVetinari · 22/03/2021 19:46

Are the twins overweight at all? (No judgement BTW - lockdown has been really bad for activity levels). Being heavier than normal can cause early puberty in boys and girls.

9 is young but not so young that the GP would prescribe blockers, it's just the lower end of normal.

CommanderBurnham · 22/03/2021 19:50

Pitrok Crystal (not the spray) is really gentle and very effective.

Original poster
Natty281 · 22/03/2021 21:43

No offence taken. It’s funny you say that actually because they have definitely got a bit tubby in lockdown. One of my twins was actually underweight before lockdown (he has autism and diet is tricky for him) and my other twin was slim but not underweight. I’m assuming now they’re back at school it will even out. I did speak to the doctor and they said with that one symptom they didn’t think it was anything to be too concerned about. Just me being a bit of a worrier as usual!

OP posts:
JustDanceAddict · 22/03/2021 21:45

Kids can def start to whiff at primary. That’s the first sign of puberty.

ceeveebee · 22/03/2021 21:53

My dd has had to wear deodorant for a couple of years (she’s 9 now) and she has other signs of puberty which I won’t go into detail on!

We used to get the scrubbingtons roll on but it wasn’t very effective. We now get the Schmidts one and it’s very good - pricy but lasts for ages (like about a year!)
schmidts.com/uk/

AM79 · 14/02/2022 15:43

My boys are 12 and 10 and I still did not notice any BO. But maybe yours are just early with it.

frogsbreath · 14/02/2022 15:48

Body odour isn't puberty, it's adrenarche which is a phase a few years before puberty. It's within normal at 9 years old.

I use scrubbingtons roll on deodorant for my ds from 9 years old for body odour.

DillonPanthersTexas · 14/02/2022 15:59

I'm a bloke and I started to go through puberty quite early just before I was ten. In my case I started to develop hair under my arms too and in my pubic area. Also started to get frequent erections. Truth is it terrified me at the time as my parents were crap at educating me as to what was going on and school kids can be merciless when find out you are a bit different. I'm sure you have had a chat with your kids but I wish an adult had explained to me what the hell was happening to me.

Bran21 · 14/02/2022 16:05

My 9 year old started growing hair everywhere about that age but was thick hair. Hes very tall for his age and started stinking. He just uses mens deoderant. Hes now 11 nearly 12 and getting darker hair above his outer lip but only fine. I went to doctors early on and told it's happening more and more nothing to worry about. His voice hasnt broken yet but wouldnt surprise me if it didnt before he starts secondary school. Hes not bothered we know sometimes a little emotional but we all work around it.