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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be worried DD 8 is growing breasts?

114 replies

Scandimama · 06/01/2023 13:51

They say anything after 8 is now considered within normal range for puberty to start.
but when DD, who just turned 8, showed me last night that she’s growing breast buds (just started within last weeks apparently) I felt very freaked out. Just think it’s too early? She also has had colorless discharge for a while and her upper lip had got more hairy. I’m really worried she’ll start periods soon and worried she’ll feel uncomfortable developing so soon. She’s still quite childish and into My little pony and dolls. I just think she should be allowed to be a child for longer without having to worry about becoming a little woman. I didn’t have my period until 15 and breast by 13, so think I’m also just really surprised she’s developing my so much sooner.

OP posts:
BabyOnBoard90 · 06/01/2023 13:53

Some kids just start early I'm afraid. Scary how fast they grow.

GreenIsle · 06/01/2023 13:54

Hi op when did she turn 8. I would perhaps speak to the gp about this because 8 is slightly on the early side of things.

pastayeti · 06/01/2023 13:54

It’s early but within the norm to start, I think I was 9 but didn’t get my period until the week before my 12th birthday when I was in high school. So I wouldn’t worry that it’ll be instant.

Orangebadger · 06/01/2023 13:55

My DD got breast buds and painful nipples at 8, she's 11 now and no periods yet. Puberty is often a long process so don't worry

Lockheart · 06/01/2023 13:55

Nature doesn't care what you think should be allowed, and puberty won't stop her playing with My Little Pony if she wants to. If you're concerned then see a doctor, she is on the younger side, but I am not sure they'd do much.

Anon778833 · 06/01/2023 13:56

I had breast buds at 8 but didn't start my periods til 14.

Ijuststoodonlego · 06/01/2023 14:00

Don't worry. DD was same. She's really tall and period came at 11. She said most her class has their period at primary school. I make sure she gets her bras fitted when she needs it.

Of course you can take her to GP if any other issues crop up.

PenelopeTitsDrop3121 · 06/01/2023 14:00

My daughter was 8 and a half and started her periods a year later. She will be 11 next month.

Cece92 · 06/01/2023 14:06

My DD is just turned 9 and being growing breasts for a wee while. I've bought her wee bra tops because the vests were making them look obvious. She's got upper lip her and started puberty down below too. We have spoke about periods as I was around 10ish so want her to know what happens. Xxx

Outnumbered99 · 06/01/2023 14:07

Not unusual for girls in year 4 and certainly in year 5 to have started their periods, unfortunately.

Original poster
Scandimama · 06/01/2023 14:08

Thanks for all your reassurance…worried about the discharge, spoke to GP about it before the breast started growing and he was totally disinterested, just said it can happen and is normal. She just turned 8 though so seems super early to me, as anything under 8 is considered early puberty, this is like 1 month short of that…

OP posts:
Cheshiresun · 06/01/2023 14:09

I don't think it's usual, unfortunately. My DD started her period at 10 as did some of her fellow year 6's.

Original poster
Scandimama · 06/01/2023 14:10

Also they keep saying it can be caused y environmental factors, but we eat mainly organic, use no fragranced products and I’ve always been careful to avoid plastic w harmful chemicals etc. Given I was such a late developer myself I’m just a bit worried and surprised where this comes from but could be DH’s genes I guess (Middle Eastern).

OP posts:
MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel · 06/01/2023 14:10

Both my girls started to grow breasts at that age. DD13 faster than DD10 but the latter has enough that she needs to wear a bra now.

No sign of a period for DD10, DD13 was 11 when hers started.

I started my period at age 9, but my sisters were 14 so I think the age range is still huge.

Reugny · 06/01/2023 14:11

GreenIsle · 06/01/2023 13:54

Hi op when did she turn 8. I would perhaps speak to the gp about this because 8 is slightly on the early side of things.

It isn't abnormal.

It is on the early side of normal. The late side is actually now 15.

Chickenly · 06/01/2023 14:11

She’s within the normal timeframe for these things to be happening so YABU. Your attitude is also really concerning - she doesn’t stop being a child when she has her first period, she’s still allowed to play with toys. It’s so very strange that people still hold these kinds of Elizabethan beliefs. Please don’t start treating her differently because she’s started going through puberty.

Original poster
Scandimama · 06/01/2023 14:13

@MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel oh good to know! I was worried periods would be just around the corner.

shes unhappy she’s growing my breast and says she’s the only one in the class and wants to wear tops that hide it..: ( they aren’t big enough to warrant a sports bra at all but visible through thinner tops and r-shirts

OP posts:
Original poster
Scandimama · 06/01/2023 14:13

*Not my breast haha

OP posts:
Original poster
Scandimama · 06/01/2023 14:15

@Chickenly of course I don’t want her to stop playing! I’m merely worried the hormones associated w the puberty onset may make her mature faster than her peers so she’s WANT to stop playing and do more “grownup” things.

OP posts:
Reugny · 06/01/2023 14:15

Scandimama · 06/01/2023 14:13

@MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel oh good to know! I was worried periods would be just around the corner.

shes unhappy she’s growing my breast and says she’s the only one in the class and wants to wear tops that hide it..: ( they aren’t big enough to warrant a sports bra at all but visible through thinner tops and r-shirts

You know in clothes shops on the girls underwear side they have chopped tops?

That's what they are for.

You can get plain boring ones in black, white or grey as well as sportier ones.

GetMeOut87 · 06/01/2023 14:17

I feel for her. I started at the same age. I have a terrible back now and posture because I started hunching, purposely, to try and hide my breasts at all costs. I also stopped doing sports because it was uncomfortable and I was afraid of changing clothes around other girls which I regret.

Pelo22 · 06/01/2023 14:20

I started my periods at 9 and that was 30 years ago. I had 2 then no more until I was 10

Original poster
Scandimama · 06/01/2023 14:21

@Reugny thanks for the tip! I guess I’m so useless at dealing w this because I didn’t grow breast until 13-14 so when they finally grew I was so relieved and didn’t mind it being visible as I was
prettY much the last jn class to develop…opposite problems,
so never experienced the feeling of being a bit confused and embarrassed to be developing before others, when I developed I’d seen all my friends go through it first and was eagerly awaiting my first period. So I’m not the best at understanding her emotions and reactions I guess. Appreciate advice to others who developed early and what your mums did that helped you and what wasn’t helpful?

OP posts:
Chickenly · 06/01/2023 14:22

Scandimama · 06/01/2023 14:15

@Chickenly of course I don’t want her to stop playing! I’m merely worried the hormones associated w the puberty onset may make her mature faster than her peers so she’s WANT to stop playing and do more “grownup” things.

That’s not how this works. Please don’t do this to your daughter. She’s an eight year old child and she’s not a “little woman” (as you put it) just because she starts her period.

Original poster
Scandimama · 06/01/2023 14:22

Yeah she doesn’t want to shower in PE

OP posts: