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Original poster

Can you help? Deodorant for my 8yo DD??

31 replies

isaterror · 17/03/2018 09:23

Hi all
My DD is 7.5 and I’ve noticed a bit of a BO underarm smell when I get close to her when she is undressing for bath/bed. We don’t bath her everyday which I guess now needs to change, but I was wondering what sort of age children need to start using deidrant now? I don’t remember it being that young for me. Does this smell being present mean that she is starting puberty already? and therefore we may have to think about talking to her about periods? Feeling a tad unsure about what to do in that respect and thinking I may need to go and see my GP for some advice. Can anyone help to answer any of my questions before I contact them?
Tia
😀

OP posts:
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IggyAce · 17/03/2018 09:26

There is a good usborne book, think it's called what's happening to me. My DD is older (11) haven't really smelt BO on her yet but she has body spray and a dove roll on.

BWatchWatcher · 17/03/2018 09:28

She doesn't need deodorant. She just needs to wash after she's been running about in the day.
Please don't expose her to chemicals etc before it's really necessary.

BWatchWatcher · 17/03/2018 09:30

Oh and smell doesn't mean she's starting puberty, it's ok!

DropZoneOne · 17/03/2018 09:30

There's one aimed at children called Fresh Kids. We get ours in Tesco started when DD was about 8.5. She's just 10, definitely going through puberty but no periods as yet. The Usborne book is a good one for younger children.

DropZoneOne · 17/03/2018 09:32

Oh and yes to more frequent washing - even if it's just "pits and bits" with a flannel before bed at this age.

Guardup · 17/03/2018 09:33

My daughter started smelling a bit at around 6, it seemed to be worse after she’d eaten certain foods so I would rule out an allergy first. That said, she is now nearly 8 and showers every other day and uses a really mild deodorant after the shower. She associates the smell with her allergy and so she is not self conscious about it. We talk about how her body will change if she brings it up (such as seeing hair underarms etc on other people) but I keep it very light. If she starts showing other signs I’ll talk to her about puberty then- but hopefully it won’t be a huge shock for her as it’s already an open discussion at home. Good luck x

whampiece · 17/03/2018 09:34

I would agree. No need for deodorant. She just need to start washing more frequently.

Also please don't waste a GO appointment on this. You can research puberty yourself.

SureIusedtobetaller · 17/03/2018 09:34

My youngest got a bit whiffy at 7. We used Pitrok and that sorted it until puberty actually kicked in at 11. She was always very clean, just some children develop odour earlier.

whampiece · 17/03/2018 09:34

*GP

Original poster
isaterror · 18/03/2018 00:35

Thank you so much ladies for your helpful comments, I’m looking up those books and feeling reassured for her. Thank you 😀

OP posts:
Wallywobbles · 18/03/2018 08:32

Both DDs started to get BO at 7. The advice to wash after activity is just not possible at most schools.

We used a no chemical one for a while. I even made one. We've no succumbed to more serious stuff.

BWatchWatcher · 18/03/2018 16:47

I meant wash at the end of the day.

shewolfmum · 19/03/2018 00:00

Go natural...weleda...hauschka...i wouldn't go towards anything chemical. Also, armpits are exhausts so would check her diet make it as clean as possible to help her body.

HonkyWonkWoman · 19/03/2018 00:15

Make sure she has a little scrubby puff things, to wash under her arms with, in the shower.

Mamaryllis · 19/03/2018 00:34

Both my girls were the same. Then a less whiffy phase and eventually periods (both started at 13, so 4/5 years after the first 'omg you have BO' thing) No need to fret yet. No guarantees, obv, but in both their cases the 7/8yo BO phase had nothing to do with full-on puberty in terms of menstruation.

victoriaspongecake · 19/03/2018 00:53

In my opinion a child needs a bath or shower every night.No deoderant just a good old scrub with soap :)

HaroldsSoCalledBluetits · 19/03/2018 00:58

Ime some kids do need deodorant. If they've got BO, they need it. Why wouldn't you use one? Everything has "chemicals", including soap. Deodorant has chemicals that stop you smelling. This is a good thing. They are not some deadly poison.

windchimesabotage · 19/03/2018 01:08

Talcum powder under arms? Good for soaking up sweat and odour but contains less chemicals than most deodorants. Make sure to wash it thoroughly off each night though as you dont want blocked pores.

Ragusa · 19/03/2018 20:01

What's wrong with chemicals per second? I'don't probably avoid parabens and BPA but nothing else.

Ragusa · 19/03/2018 20:03

Per se. And I'd. Gah, hate autocorrect.

Crumblevision · 19/03/2018 20:09

I got my DD a salt stick from Holland and Barratt. I felt she was too young for aerosol deos. The salt stick works brilliantly for her.

shewolfmum · 19/03/2018 23:55

Because you need to avoid aluminium and isn't it obvious the less chemicals the better? Anything in the skin is absorbed into the body

Southernstars · 20/03/2018 00:18

Nothing worse than concealing body odour with deodorant. OP your DD is too young for deodorant, all those chemicals are not good, especially most contain aluminium. She needs a shower or bath every night and/or at least wash her armpits with a bit of soapy water and rinse.

OkPedro · 20/03/2018 00:27

If a baby doesn't have BO but a 7/8/9 year old does, how does that not tell you it's the beginning of puberty?
My dd is 9 and uses deodorant not an anti p though

She showers every other day

Hate that my baby is growing up 😥