To be worried DD 8 is growing breasts?

[Scandimama]

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.

I didn’t shame you at all. You said she’s a “little woman” and that you think her “hormones” will mean she won’t play with toys anymore. Feel free though, carry on. Make your DD feel like a freak when there’s nothing wrong with her because you can’t get over your own issues. You asked for advice, you got it but you don’t like it. The doctor has already told you that it’s normal and she’s fine but you’re planning to go back because you’ve convinced yourself there’s something wrong with her. There’s not. She’s a child that’s going through puberty - she’s a child.

They usually start within two years after breast buds appear so it isn’t instant, she might be ten before she starts which is totally usual. My DD developed buds at 9 I’d say, she’s 11.5 now in year 7 and still no period.

My daughter developed breast buds at the age of seven. I was so worried that this would mean early puberty. It was also so unexpected as she was small and I didn’t start growing breasts until about 11. The paediatrician was completely unconcerned.
However, after a short time they disappeared again. Reading up on it I learned that they can have a surge of hormones at this age that can cause breast buds to appear.
Dd is now 11 and they have finally returned but not before we have had tears because she was the only one (according to DD!) in her class without breast growth and crop tops!

DD started with breast buds towards the end of ths summer holidays after year 5 so she was 10.5. I'd had to start her on deodorant at the easter of that year. She's now almost 13 and still no sign of starting her periods yet.

OP - Next crop tops are great as they're thicker material than places like Asda so cover up well. I got DD a pack of 3 white ones and a pack with a white, a grey and a black.

my dd too, same age. I’m not concerned. It’s a long and individual process and she won’t be the only one. I have an older dd who started periods at primary school and it was fine, and another who developed later. I wouldn’t want to take my dd to gp as I wouldn’t want her to feel self conscious about it and the only reason for hormone treatment would be future height… she is tall so I wouldn’t be concerned about that.

fwiw, for the older two it was around two to three years after breast buds that periods started.

There’s nothing wrong with your posts, op, people have misinterpreted you. My dd isn’t self conscious nor is she the only one in the class. She’s quite excited about being like her older sisters! We have the Usborne books about puberty.

@GentlyBen thank you for your kind and non-judgmental advice.

theres a big range of “normal”

my oldest was 9 when i noticed the start of breast buds but was another 18 months or so before they resembled any sort of breasts and needed a first bra. She was 11 (& 7 months) when she started her period but had noticeable discharge from 8/9 development pretty similar to mine. She’s now nearly 13 & a size 6/8 and her hips have widened and her bum has grown too as well as the breasts - about half at high school are similar & the other half are tiny & haven’t developed much yet but my daughter is similar to how i was at school and alrhough she felt self conscious at primary at secondary it’s more diverse.

my other daughter almost 9 & very tall with skinny legs, straight up & down, no sign of breast buds but has recently started with the discharge so will see how next 18 months go but it wouldn’t surprise me if she’s the age of my daughter & no boobs / periods as they all develop differently but it takes years from 1st sign & lots of her friends started their period at 10/11 its actually quite common & she wasn’t the first in her class.

physically growing up in now way changes emotional maturity / likes and dislikes and its important you are aware that your feelings & actions will influence how your daughter deals with all the changes that will come as she grows and develops

My daughter turns 9 next week and she started her periods last July. Thankfully quite light at the moment and is handling it really well. School have been helpful.

@MrsRandom123 thank you! This thread is helping me see that the range is quite wide and think of ways to causally talk to DD about her body changing. The good thing is she feels confident and close enough w me that she came to me herself and told me about her breasts growing so that’s a good sign I think

I started my periods at 8, so I feel like I can empathise with my DD9, who is also going through it. I think they just need lots of kindness as it is confusing for them. We talk about it as much/as little as she wants to. And tried to be excited for her that is reflected in her attitude. Honestly, the mood swings are the hardest part as she doesn't know why she wants to cry 'for no reason'.

I had breast buds at 9, my period started when I was 13 and a half. Her periods could be imminent or they could still be several years away.

One of my school friends started her period at 8 and this was a good 25 years ago. She still played with toys etc. like the other girls in our class. Try not to worry, there's a large range of time in which it is normal for puberty to start.

My mum panicked a bit with me at 9 and hurriedly got me pads etc and told me what to expect. I was no where near as bothered as she was. Just reassure your DD, educate her on puberty and be there for her when her periods do eventually start.

Hmm don't remember when I started having breast buds, but definitely earlier than period. My first period was when I was 15, and I had breasts the size they're now when I was 13 and they grew like this within less than a year. Breast buds earlier than this, maybe 10? I wouldn't be too concerned TBH.

You can buy little padded crop tops/bras. I was very against padding because I saw it as accentuating their breasts but they smooth their outline and helps their embarrassment of seeing their nipples

I had breast buds when I was twelve. Periods started when I was 17 and half.

Generally, I think, puberty is getting younger. Periods starting is the very last bit of puberty. There's a long journey before you get to that point. One of my girls started her periods at 10½. As the kids were growing up we just talked about how out bodies change. There are great books out there to explain this but I think it's important to include it in conversation. As woman talking about menstruation, body parts, developing physically emotionally etc to your girls and boys is important and significant. Don't wait for your kids to raise the subject because they don't always know what they need to ask!

I had slight buds appear at 11 , then subside, so maybe a hormone surge ? I didn’t start my periods until I was 16.
Dd had some signs of puberty at 8 (body hair) and was referred by our GP to get scanned etc. She wasn’t in puberty, it was just a premature adrenal reaction. She went on to start puberty a few years later and was 12 when she started her periods.

My dd is has not long turned 7 and been developing for around 6 months I've taken her the gp twice as her breast buds are painful she crys out sometimes and finches every morning when putting her vest on, gp wasn't concerned and said just take ibuprofen.

DD had all that and other signs starting at 8, still no period at 11. Just keep an eye on it, talk to her about what's happening and stop freaking out.

Completely anecdotal, but between my two DD's (Italian descent) and girls of similar Southern Europe/Arabic descent, they all started to grow breasts, and pubic hair early, around 8/9, and started their periods around 10/11.

Like a PP, my DD started her periods at age 9 and our GP referred her to paediatrics as it was deemed to be on the early side. There were some concerns about her adult height (you stop growing roughly two years after your period begins) and the emotional maturity needed to deal with having a regular period. She had a blood test to rule out any unlying issues, an xray of the bones in her hand, and a full check up done including height and weight. The consultant agreed that her adult height would be adversely affected and that she was not emotionally mature enough to deal with having a period (DD herself expressed a lot of upset about it).

She now takes puberty blockers to delay the progress until her height catches up. Her consultant plans to keep her on then until around age 12-13, once they stop then puberty will recommence as normal.

If her period does start and you feel its too soon OP then there are treatment options available, definitely push this with the GP if you're concerned.

DD started developing at the same age as yours, but didn't start periods for another 3 years. It's not considered early medically speaking, so nothing to worry about

Be careful sharing stories of your daughters' precocious puberty. Paedos love that shit.

I got boobs at 9 but didn't start my period til 14.

My DD will be 10 in February and has been growing breasts for about a year,she also has pubic hair down below too,I took her to the GP a few months ago as she has developed bad acne on her forehead and the doctor said its Hormonal and due to Puberty which he said was normal for her age,she's got quite larger in her chest area and has put a bit of weight on but the GP said not to worry as its normal.She doesn't wear bras yet but she does wear crop tops under her school uniform.