Breast Buds at 5?

[lilmissmummy]

DD aged 5 was playing with water in the garden this afternoon and when drying her down with a towel I noticed that she has lumps behind her nipples that she said were tender.

I am very worried and plan to take her to the doctors asap.

Has anyone else experienced this? Does anyone know if is it the onset of puberty or something less (or more) sinister? [very worried smiley]

It is not sinister if by that you mean breast cancer (sorry if I have just put this idea in your head but it sounded as if cancer was probably in your mind).

Do take her to the GP as she needs to be checked over for signs of early puberty and other hormone imbalances. Don't panic though - we see this quite a lot and most children with it turn out to have nothing else wrong with them.

It did cross my mind!

Thanks jybay you have put my mind at rest a little and she has an appointment on Thursday. Hopefully it will be okay.

Thanks again

Lil - hope your GP appointment goes well - be s/he should really refer your DD to a paediatric endocrinologist for further investigations (childrens hormone specialist - the area in which I work) - does your DD have any other pubertal signs? Body odour, pubic hair, armpit hair, mood swings, discharge in her pants? If not, chances are that she's just got a bit of early breast budding which although not necessarily 'normal' as such is not unheard of at all - the endo team usually keep an eye on these girls, ie every 6 month follow up just to see how things are, if puberty is progressing, etc etc - no treatment. If there are other pubertal signs, then that would be worthy of more investigation. Whereabouts in the country are you - I can recommend a consultant for you? x

Just this hopalong thank you for your reply. The GP appointment went well, she has no other symptoms so they said it could just be a hormone surge but to keep a close eye on it. She will have to go back if they get bigger or if she gets other puberty signs!

I am in Wiltshire.

I was an early starter and started my periods at 10 so I am sure she will follow the pattern, it is just hard when she is such a baby! She is also a tiny little thing which makes it even more disturbing!

thanks again x