6yo quite whiffy under the armpits - is this within the outer realms of normal?

[TheHighPriestessOfTinsel]

Just that really. I supervise washing in the (daily) bath, with a particular focus on getting the armpits nice and clean. By the late afternoon there is a noticeable smell of body odour in the armpit area. No other indications of anything odd with health or development.

DD1 did not start to need deodorant until nearly 10, which appeared "normal" within her peer group, so am quite surprised that dd2 is already experiencing this.

The answer to this is that it CAN be something to worry about and it can also be normal. Some people have more sweat glands than others, including children.

BO in a child can be something which is just part of them or it can be a sign of precocious puberty or other issues. See your GP OP but try not to worry.

Hi OP, I would say my DD was like this between about 6/7. She started her periods at 8. So extra washing, deo and clean clothes every day. It's very unsettling when this happens to your little one. DD is now 18 and has developed normally and everything fine. Don't worry too much!

thank you both.

unfortunately for our poor kids, DH and I are both very sweaty (I've always needed the 48hr type deodorants, DH soaks through sports kit after moderate exercise ) so I do wonder if to some degree she's simply taking after us. No other indicators of precocious puberty as yet.

What are her clothes made of? I noticed DS(6) getting a bit wiffy during the summer but then also realised that it was only happening when he was wearing really cheap polyester tshirts.

It doesn't happen when he's wearing decent cotton clothing. I assume it must breathe better or something.

My DD has been a little stinker since about 7 She is now 10 and definitely developing but thankfully not started periods yet, so it doesn't necessarily mean she is well ahead of the game. My DD is certainly further ahead than most of her peers but not ridiculously so.

Normal eccrine sweat glands is pretty much just water, apocrine sweat glands contains all sorts of stuff which the (friendly) bacteria on the skin turn smelly.

The apocrine only arrives with puberty, so normally young kids won't smell regardless of how sweaty they get, so dress them in polyester all you want...