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Children's health

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Original poster

Just turned 8 year old dd showing signs of puberty

65 replies

Terminallysleepdeprived · 26/09/2021 21:05

Sorry if this seems really obvious, but what age would expect your dd to enter puberty?

For about the last 12-18 months dd's emotions have been all over the place, really up and down. I initially put it down to lockdown, but then I started to notice she was growing thicker hair on her legs, she would suddenly start crying for absolutely no reason get angry for no reason etc.

It struck me over the summer that it happens about the time I am due on but put it down to coincidence. Then tonight as I helped her shower she has hair growing on her labia so I am wondering if she really is starting puberty.

I am aware 8 is on the very low side of normal, should I speak to my gp to make sure dd is OK? I have pcos so I have no idea what "normal" is. Nhs website suggests that puberty in very young girls is normally found in girls at the top end of the growth charts. But dd is only just over 24kg and 128cm tall so she is only just on the 20-25 percentile and is very slim.

We have had a chat about developing and it meaning that she needs to be much more careful about keeping herself clean and having regular showers etc (chronic eczema so we don't bathe her daily) but she is still very young and I am worried about how to help her navigate this.

Can anyone recommend any books we can read together that will help her understand what is happening to her?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

NotMyCat · 26/09/2021 21:06

I was similar, and started my periods at 9 so I don't think it's out the realms of normal

FirepitFrolics · 26/09/2021 21:08

usborne.com/gb/whats-happening-to-me-9780746069950?recommend=product-customers-also-viewed

I think usborne always writes good factual children's books. I have the boys one and think I got it for my 9 year old son.

PeachesPumpkin · 26/09/2021 21:12

It’s normal so I don’t think I would contact the GP. What would they do? They are so overworked at the moment too.

Hellotoallmyfans · 26/09/2021 21:13

At that age I would take her to the GP as it's very young and they may prescribe hormones to hold it off a while longer. I understand as it's happened to dd9 and I'm now really worried she'll start her periods soon, It really came as a shock to me as both I and my older dds were 14 before we started developing.
There's a good book by Usborne (the pink one) called "what is happening to me" that describes puberty in quite straightforward child-friendly terms. I sat and read that with Dd and we had a little chat afterwards. But yes, 8 is really young - nothing to worry about but I would definitely seek a medical professionals advice.

NavigatingAdolescence · 26/09/2021 21:18

This was DD as well. Had her checked out by a paediatrician who said to could be some time before it progressed. She had hair but no breast buds at that point. 8 is considered normal now so no need for puberty blockers.

She started her periods a few months ago at 10.5. So you could be waiting a while too. She seemed very young to be dealing with it, but she’s been an absolute trooper. And period pants and reusable pads are an absolute godsend.

dementedpixie · 26/09/2021 21:19

I wouldn't see a GP. 8 is within normal limits for starting puberty. Does she have breast development yet? That's normally in the first stage of puberty. Have a look at Tanner stages of puberty too

Original poster

Terminallysleepdeprived · 26/09/2021 21:20

Thanks will have a look for the book. I think inwill ring the gp tomorrow and ask to have a chat with them at their convenience and see what they suggest then.

@PeachesPumpkin I am aware they are busy but the NHS website is conflicting as it says puberty normally starts at 11 and younger than that see a gp but then says it can start from 8.

OP posts:

ZeusandClio · 26/09/2021 21:21

I would definitely go to the GP. If it is precocious puberty there might be something they can do. Don't girls stop growing when they start their periods? I would have thought she would have budding breasts and hair under her arms before pubic hair, but don't know. So to avoid this speculation and worry a conversation with the GP is a good thing - that's what they're there for!

dementedpixie · 26/09/2021 21:23

Precocious puberty starts under age 8
No they don't stop growing once periods start
It's within normal limits and doesn't mean periods are due soon

dementedpixie · 26/09/2021 21:25

It says average age is 11. There will be some older and some younger than that

Original poster

Terminallysleepdeprived · 26/09/2021 21:26

@zeusandclio no underarm hair and no breast buds yet. I was quite surprised as when I read up on it for dsd I understood they came before pubic hair. I thought at first she had just got some loose hair caught where we had washed and nit combed her hair but when i went to remove it it was very definitely attached.

She is on a therapeutic dose of a chemo drug due to her eczema and hyperactive immunity so part of me is wondering if it is linked but no amount of Google searching is showing a known link, but I might have a chat with her consultant in a couple of weeks.

OP posts:

NeverSurrender · 26/09/2021 21:27

DD was a similar age to yours, but periods didn't start until 10.5, which was what I was worried about!

Comedycook · 26/09/2021 21:29

I'd take her to the doctor and I recommend a book called The Care and Keeping of you ..it covers puberty in girls in a really simple, easy to understand way.

FawnFrenchieMum · 26/09/2021 21:32

My DD, was always very small for age (premmie and very small and thin) until she was 8, then she suddenly started to change shape and develop.

At 8 she started to get public hair, and breast buds. She’s now 9 and has lots of pubic hair and actual breasts. No under arm hair though yet. She hasn’t started her periods but regularly complains of tummy pain and her tummy randomly swells up. I actually need to start tracking it a bit more.

We bought the ‘what’s happening to me’ book. She’s gets it out whenever she wants to go back to parts that interest her at that time.

worriedandannoyed · 26/09/2021 21:37

@PeachesPumpkin

It’s normal so I don’t think I would contact the GP. What would they do? They are so overworked at the moment too.

What a horrible comment. It's very young. I think it's unusual to notice body hair before other signs of puberty too such as breast buds.

Original poster

Terminallysleepdeprived · 26/09/2021 21:48

"What's happening to me" book ordered thank you for the tip folks. It says it is aimed at 9 year old upwards, dd is a very competent reader so am hoping she will understand it.

God I was not expecting to have to deal with this for another few years! Her sister was 12 before she developed buds etc and 14 when she started her period. I figured had at least another 3 years!

It's the fact the hormones have clearly been running riot for over a year that worries me. I remember the year or so before I started my periods and feeling so alone and emotional all the time but not understanding why. She is clearly struggling with how she is feeling and when I ask her why she is crying she gets more upset and tells me she has no idea.

I guess I just want to know there is nothing else wrong

OP posts:

Scoobygang7 · 26/09/2021 21:55

@dementedpixie

Precocious puberty starts under age 8 No they don't stop growing once periods start It's within normal limits and doesn't mean periods are due soon

Anecdotal but my mum started puberty and periods at 8. She stopped growing at about 10. She 4ft 9 while her mum and sisters are 5ft 9/10 and her dad and brother was over 6ft. The only thing different is she was the only one that hit puberty at 8.

dementedpixie · 26/09/2021 21:57

OPs child hasn't started her periods yet though so it's not comparable

Dd started puberty around 8 and got periods age 11 (I also started my period age 11)

dalrympy · 26/09/2021 22:01

It's quite normal and body weight doesn't seem to make a huge difference.

My niece started her periods at 9. My DD not till 13.

I had hair under my arms very early (8 or 9 I think?) and I didn't start my period until i was at least 12 or 13.

TheGriffle · 26/09/2021 22:02

My 8.5yo has been developing breast buds this year, no hair anywhere yet but she’s always been a moody bugger! She has had body odour from an early age too and now needs a spray of deodorant everyday. I’m going to look at the book recommendations as I think we’ll need it soon as well.

Doesn’t help that I’m on the pill and haven’t had a period for 2 years, she knows about them but won’t remember seeing me deal with them so will have to start from scratch there again.

MiaMarshmallows · 26/09/2021 22:07

Daughter had breast buds at age 7.
Her own daughter is the same at age 8 with pubic hair also.
I didn't worry too much at the time with DD but am a bit concerned about DD as 8 is very young I would have thought. Interesting thread to read through.

Original poster

Terminallysleepdeprived · 26/09/2021 22:12

@TheGriffle dd has always been inquisitive about my periods. They have been more regular since having her but I can still skip a month or 2. I have always been age appropriately honest with her. We have talked tonight about it being about her body changing and getting ready for babies but when I asked her if she wanted to talk about how they are made she said no not yet so have respected that and we just talked about eggs releasing, the womb lining thickening up to make it nice and cosy for a baby and when it's not needed the period happens to flush it all out ready to start again next month.

She is still into playing with dolls and is having a teddy bears. I am.not ready for teenage mood swings

OP posts:

Original poster

Terminallysleepdeprived · 26/09/2021 22:19

Those of you whose girls started puberty this young, were your girls at the higher end of the growth charts please?

Both the NHS site and a couple of American sites seem to say it is more common in those children who are taller and physically bigger. Dd has always been very skinny. She never did the Buddha baby thing, she still fits in her 4-5 shorts and literally turned 8 a few weeks ago. She has food issues but does eat albeit very specific things (restricted diets to test theories about her eczema triggers at ages she could half understand and now refuses to touch anything from those food groups) and is a healthy weight. Hospital track her weight, height and bmi due to he drugs she is on so I know that although she is low for her age group she isn't under/overweight

OP posts:

strelitzialady · 26/09/2021 22:22

My DD showed symptoms of puberty early during lockdown last year (7 at the time). She was already under consultant care for a separate genetic condition and so I flagged it up. She had lots of tests including x rays and brain MRI and puberty was confirmed. We made the decision to block it for a couple more years to enable her to grow more (it would have impacted her growth).

Obviously each situation is different snd our was complicated by existing medical conditions but I would speak to the GP

Original poster

Terminallysleepdeprived · 26/09/2021 22:27

@strelitzialady

Obviously each situation is different snd our was complicated by existing medical conditions but I would speak to the GP

Thank you. I think my worry is because she is on this chemo medication and whether that is bringing it on early. Her sister and brother are both quite tall compared to me (I'm 5'4 they are both 5'10) their mum is also short like me and the stopping growing earlier than the norm does worry me a bit.

I will give the gp a call and just ask their opinion. They can make the call as to whether it is worth investigating further.

OP posts:

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