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.

@AnxiousPancreas I’m not sure how typical your experience is.

111.wales.nhs.uk/Puberty/

NHS website states girls only grow for 1-2 years after period starts (and even then it’s only a couple of inches). My friends DD is about 4ft, so that’s why they want her to grow more before her period starts. It was a specialist at the hospital who advised the reason was due to height.

My eldest started her periods at 10, the other was 15. So five years difference; they're adults now and have grown to similar heights and weights, in fact the one whose periods started when she was 15 is an inch or so taller.

Later puberty gives more growing time.

I can understand how you feel as 8 is young to start puberty. But it happens and sadly girls bear the brunt of it with periods. However she is still a child mentally and emotionally, and I am sure won't suddenly decide to go to discos. She's still your baby and probably won't have a period for a good few years.

Op, have you asked your DH’s female relatives what is usual on their side? My DD is also 8, and also showing some signs of hormonal development, and I have done this. Was able to get information from her paternal grandmother about usual ages of development in their side, and common experiences regarding menarch, period pains, issues with irregularity of periods etc. Also got details regarding menopause and perimenopause. Got all the same some time ago from my mum for my side, so have been able to create a little ‘guide’ for DD that will hopefully be useful at various points of her life. Got the idea when hit the perimenopause and found information from my mum regarding her experience and that of her mum and grandma really invaluable in terms of preparing me for what to expect. Wanted DD to have that information available to get.

It irks me when women start calling a child a woman or saying something about a "woman's body" simply because the child is going through puberty/developed a bit of breasts, hair and period.

It's still a child with those things, not a woman yet.

That's what paedos love to use as an excuse. Not saying anyone here is a paedo but that narrative is dangerous and could also negatively affect girls' sense of self when they aren't ready to be seen/talked about in that way.

My DD2 started her period just after her ninth birthday. It was definitely a shock! She also became anaemic because her periods were far too heavy. It seems to be settling now, though. (She’s 2 months short of her 11th birthday now.)

She’s very body conscious, which isn’t surprising as her body has really changed now, though she’s very slim.

It’s been very tough at times. The hormones have been tricky to negotiate, she’s developed a real temper! Not surprising, really, as it’s been a lot for her to cope with.

I’m a GP, breasts budding from age 8 is in normal range. Although as mum of 8 and 11 year old boys (who have lots of female friends) I think girls get a tough deal re periods and body development at the early puberty stages.

You sound like a really lovely mum and anyone giving you flak on here for seeking out some peer support/ guidance/ reassurance should pause and think about why they are trying to flame you.

By the by, it’s also completely normal for boys from same age to have one or both breasts transiently but between 9-early puberty. I see a number of panicking parents every month about this.

Try and be as relaxed about it as you can as she will pick up on your anxiety. Get the usual books about bodies changing and Being different etc. go with guidance from your doctor. People aren’t qualified to comment here and each child and family are different. She will be ok.

All you can really do is get her a little cotton crop top/bra thing and make sure she knows what to expect (as much as she can) regarding periods. The rest is out of your control.

I got body hair, pubic and underarm very early and found it really upsetting. My mum was brilliant though in her explanations.

Op is it just one side? As if it's a hard lump it might not be breast buds, it could just be a swollen gland.

Breast buds are puffy with some hardness underneath.

My DD had buds for about a month when she turned 8, then they went away, now she is nearly nine they are back and she is starting to develop a little shape. Has occasional discharge.

She has worn cropped vests or crop tops like the rest of her class for about a year. Still doesn't need to though.

A girl in year four at her school recently started her period and I know a couple in year five had it.

They are still children.

DD and I have some good books so she understands her bodily changes, she has a deodorant stick she uses when she feels like it, and we've talked about teenage pads being a good starter option, though she knows this may be a while off.

This is ok, honestly. Buy her some cute crop tops - my dds favourite ones have stitch on them - and get a good book

This one is good

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1526360187?psc=1&ref=ppxpoppmobbbasin_title

I was 9 when my periods started. I did feel uncomfortable for most of the time - some of my classmates made me feel different. A couple of them had no information about puberty. Keep in mind that this was my experience 60 years ago. Hopefully Your daughter will have friends who understand. Accessing information on the internet is much easier today.

8 isn’t early. It’s perfectly normal in women without a 100% East Asian background.