7yr old dd with "breasts"???

[ButteryBiscuitBase]

My dd is 8 next month. A couple of weeks ago she showed me a hard lump behind her nipple it was about the size of a 50p. I immediately panicked and looked on internet was reassured children can't get breast cancer and it was likely to be a cyst.

It didn't seem to cause any pain or discomfort. Last week she complained it was itching and sore so got a docs appt for today. This morning she noticed a similar lump on her other nipple. Anyway we went to the docs this morning and she said they are breast buds.

I'm in shock she is only 7! I didn't think it would be possible at this age. I didn't express my concern as I didn't want to alarm my dd.

I'm sure I have read somewhere before that children go through puberty early if they are exposed to trauma? I'm worried I have done something to cause this. I wouldn't say she has been through trauma but has had a few changes in past few years (I have a new partner and we have just had a baby)

Does this mean she will soon go through puberty??? She is still my little girl!

Nearly 8 is early for puberty to start in a girl, but not so early the dr's would be concerned about it.

Puberty (on average) is happening earlier, as a result of better nutrition but also over nutrition (too much fat in the diet), so possibly you may be able to slow things down for a while by looking at her diet and changing it if you feel she's getting to much fat and dairy products (milk and other dairy products have a lot of growth natural hormones in them), obviously she still needs these things in her diet but not too much.

Even without diet changes, it might take a couple of years to complete puberty - it's a gradual thing.

Hope it will be gradual! I will look in her diet but dairy doesn't feature very highly as she is not keen on cheese or yoghurts, just milk on cereal and drinks etc.

I just hope it doesn't set her out as different at school if it happens at school.

It doesn't necessarily mean it's imminent.
Dd1 has had breast buds come and go (which is normal) for the last year. She is showing no signs of developing further (age 11) at present.

Don't cut her dairy whatever you do! Puberty is the most important time for building bone density and preventing osteoporosis in future.

Thanks guys, my mum has osteoporosis so I will try increase her dairy maybe.

This may seem a silly question but could the fact she is mixed race mean it happens early? I'm white her dad is black, do different races have a tendency to develop sooner. I always thought girls followed in their mums footsteps for puberty and periods.

I have had similiar issues with my DD who was 9 in January who was developing really quickly (hair, mood swings etc) and was referred to the childrens hospital.

Apparently puberty is only classed as being early if they are 7 and under, anyone over that age unless they have a hormone problem is just left to develop so to speak!

We were told that periods were the last in the line of things to come and could be some years off yet and we were told welcome to the teenage years early. They also did a bone density scan which showed my DD to be 1 yr 9 months ahead of her actual age.

HTH

Thank you that is really useful. The doctor is considering referring her to a paediatrician regarding symptoms of thrush/urine infection.

Its funny you mentioned mood swings as lately she has been quite stroppy and rolling her eyes lots of huffing and puffing. I put it down to the new baby, maybe its a mixture of both.

Has your daughter had any comments at school from other kids?

Regarding dairy/bone strength, most people are getting far more calcium than they need for bone grown - but they may need more vitD/sunlight to absorb it and use it effectively.

One glass of milk and one yogurt a day will give you all you need - most people are getting much much more than this as milk and cheese are in many foods.

If there is a history of osteoporosis in the family I'd say give her (and you) Vit D3 supplements to make sure her body can absorb the calcium in her diet, particularly as you mention she is mixed race - if her skin is darker then she won't make so much vit D when she's out in the sun, so she is at a much higher risk of not having enough vit D for her bones.

Buttery - My DD also suffers with water infections and thrush and has had her kidneys scanned and they came back clear. They also scanned her ovaries etc at the same time to see if there were signs of puberty but they were normal too.

My DD gets teased a bit at school about her weight, she is slightly overweight despite having a healthy diet and doing lots of sports. She has started to wear little vest tops to school as she was self conscious. She is also very tall for her age (4ft 9") and is wearing size 5 shoes so I feel is in in proprotion so not overly worried.

Yeah same thing too, kidney and bladder scan was clear. I just didn't expect these things so young. She also smells sweaty after pe or if she goes to a play centre. I don't think it would be safe to use deodrant on her so young?

Why would it be dangerous? She doesn't have to use it much, just on days she has PE maybe? Get her a mild one (not the 24 or 48 hour ones) and if youre worried you could keep it in your room.

I dont think nearly 8 is that young for breasts. As another poster says she may have breasts for years but no hair or periods for ages. Remember going through puberty is perfectly natural and generally means that you are healthy. Girls often do follow their mums for puberty but are often ahead as the next generation has better nutrition. I think your concerns are more emotional than anything else - you're losing your baby! Thats completely understandable but try not to transfer those worries to her health as you will get yourself and her worked up and upset.

Hi, my dd is the same. She is 9 but has had buds for quite a while now. It has stayed like that though, it's quite possible with your dd too that it will not develop into breasts until the "normal age range".

I don't know about trauma, as far as I can tell she's led a pretty idyllic life . I'm not sure what the reason is but as the months pass you'll see that many of the girls in her class are developing too.

My friend had to bring her nine year old to an endocrinologist because of early puberty, I don't know what he did but they 'fixed' what was a huge problem for her. That was in France though, I don't know how it works in Britain. Sorry, not very helpful.

It's normal. I had noticable breast development (ie buds) at 8 and got my periods at 11. My sisters did too (mum took them too docs after they complained of sore nipples) and they didn't get periods until 13/14.

It's just not something people we as aware of in the past. However, it is pretty normal.

Hi, my daughter is 14 now, but she was having similar experiences at 8. Mood swings out of the blue, breast buds and pubic hair. It's such a shock isn't it? The doctor wasn't too worried. The fact that your daughter is mixed race could well have a bearing. Some races do reach puberty at an earlier average age. Also, girls who live with a stepfather are more likely to begin puberty earlier as a (purely biological) reaction to having 'foreign' male hormones around them. This was the case with my daughter. It was a difficult time, and it's horrid when they start mensruating earlier than their friends, but you'll get through it. I certainly don't think it means your daughter is traumatised! Think of it as getting it out of the way early; my daughter was all finished and settled hormonally by 13.

Wow this is all so helpful and interesting to me! I never thought having a stepdad would be relevant. I'm trying to explain it to her in a matter of fact way I'm thinking of getting a how the body works type book for her. Its a difficult thing to explain to her at the right level. Thanks for everyones replies.