(9yr old DS with 'breasts'??????

[Solo2]

Do some boys develop 'man-boobs' as they generally put on weight and are pre-pubescent but already acting moody and teenager-like?

My 9 yr old DS is slightly chubby but recently, there's been a marked increase in what look like breast-like protuberances on his chest - a bit like a pre-pubescent girl might develop at that age too, if she were slightly tubby.

I can't take him to the GP as I don't want to draw any attention to it at all, as he'd be v v embarassed. I've seen other boys his age with fatty chests/ abdomens but am not sure if his own breast-area is more unusally pronounced.

Can anyone comment who might have a child with a similar issue? Is it normal or something going wrong hormonally? Is it just fat and a sign he needs to lose weight or is it something more worrying?

I have seen this on Embarrassing Bodies and yes, it's common amongst prepubescent and pubescent boys to develop what look like breasts - especially if they're doing the chubby-before-puberty thing, ime.

I think it's to do with changing levels of hormones.

I would say baggy tops and exercise (maybe not swimming in case some delightful child makes a comment) are the way to go.

www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/conditions/gynaecomastia/

Thanks for such a speedy response, JiggeryPopery. That's v reassuring. I was beginning to get v worried, as he's also incredibly teenager-like in some behaviour these days but then flips into sweet child mode again. It's v difficult and he's v v self-conscious at present too.

It's alarming how early puberty seems to start these days. [fogey]

Pixie - great minds

OOH are you Dr Pixie from EB?!