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Original poster

Girls and puberty

25 replies

norm1 · 11/02/2004 21:45

My dd is nine and getting rather smelly pits despite good washing habits. I feel she's a bit young for deodorant. Has anyone had experience of this with their dd? When is the right time to start? (I don't think any of her friends use deodorant yet and I don't want to make an issue of it so she feels different) Any advice?

OP posts:
spacemonkey · 11/02/2004 21:48

sorry if i'm being dim, but is there a health issue with deodorant i don't know about?

my dd is 12 and she likes using impulse type body sprays

Janh · 11/02/2004 21:53

I would have said theright time to start using it is when they need it.

One of the more or less unscented hypoallergenic kind should be OK. My DS (who has eczema and sensitive skin) uses the Sanex one with the peach-coloured top.

Original poster
norm1 · 11/02/2004 22:05

thanks for the tips. I'm new to mumsnet so didn't know where else to put the question .

OP posts:
spacemonkey · 11/02/2004 22:07

eek norm sorry i wasn't saying you'd put it in the wrong place - sorry, i was just being dim

Original poster
norm1 · 11/02/2004 22:18

sorry,feeling tired and sensitive! To you Mums with older girls when did puberty kick in for them and their friends? I keep reading that it all happens earlier these days but don't know anyone with older girls to ask their experiences.

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spacemonkey · 11/02/2004 22:23

hello norm

my dd started her periods when she was 10.5

she's very big for her age and although she's not yet 13 adolescence has very much started (she's 13 in May) - she's spotty and moody and has HUGE bosoms

from what she's said to me, about a quarter of her friends of the same age have started their periods, so i do think it's true that girls are maturing earlier (i didn't start my periods until i was 14)

i think it's been difficult for her being ahead for her age compared to her classmates and friends, but overall she seems to be dealing with it reasonably well touch wood

suedonim · 11/02/2004 22:24

I have a 16yo dd but puberty didn't kick in re BO until she was about 12 which was roughly the same for her friends. I do know of girls as young as 9 starting periods but they are very much the exception, ime. I don't like dd to use too much deodorant - wasn't there a health issue recently with parabens being in them? Maybe one of the deodorant stones you can buy would be ok. Try a Mumsnet search on 'deodorant', it should bring up some previous threads. Hth.

aloha · 11/02/2004 22:30

Like Janh, I'd say if she was getting smelly then deodorant may be a reasonahle option - girls can really tease at that age, IME.
I believe the health scare has been discredited and anyway, you can't find deodorants with parabens in any more (they were taken out a few years ago). Cleanliness should definitely first, then a simple deodorant.

Original poster
norm1 · 11/02/2004 22:32

thanks spacemonkey. it helps to know what to expect. I was 14 too when i started mine so felt bit puzzled by dd's BO so early. This parenting lark is full of surprises!

OP posts:
Original poster
norm1 · 11/02/2004 22:44

thanks everyone for your help. I'll do a search on deodorants tomorrow. Signing off now for sleep - ready for the morning stress that is getting them all to the right place with the right bags and without all falling out on the way!

OP posts:
spacemonkey · 11/02/2004 22:47

night night norm

btw i am reading a good book at the moment called "Get out of my life - but first take me and Zoe into town" (IIRC!) - good guide to teenagerdom/adolescence

suedonim · 11/02/2004 23:03

Thanks for the further info on parabens, Aloha. One less thing to worry about.

Ailsa · 11/02/2004 23:11

My dd, 9yo seems to be rather hormonal at the moment, I said that I would find her a book that we could read together, or on her own if she wants, as she sometimes finds it embarrasing having me ask her questions or telling her things. Anyone know of a good book that will explain the changes that she is going through at the moment?

spacemonkey · 11/02/2004 23:40

i'll see if i can find some titles for you ailsa

lydialemon · 11/02/2004 23:51

Can't help with DD, but re age and deodorants, BFs DS started using them at about 8, he was starting to get really whiffy and she is fanatical about showers etc. It was starting to upset him.

Ailsa · 12/02/2004 00:02

Thanks spacemonkey

hmb · 12/02/2004 06:56

Ang of puberty is linked to weight. As our children are getting bigger (and I'm talking here about taller, not just overweight) the age of puberty is dropping. you have to be a particular weight before your periods can start. Droping below it (illness or anorexiaetc) will stop the periods. So the age is dropping.

Janh · 12/02/2004 09:03

Ailsa, "Have you started yet?" is a good one. My DDs found it very helpful. Amazon have it.

addle · 12/02/2004 09:24

norm1, I'd like to suggest a crystal for your dd as it won't dry her up or be over scented. I use one and it seems fine (at least noone's told me otherwise ...) (and I started my periods at 11

lou33 · 12/02/2004 15:28

Second Jan's comment about the book "HAve you started yet?". I gave it to dd1 about a year ago. Her school did some very good lessons on it all too.

spacemonkey · 12/02/2004 17:10

that's the book i was trying to think of last night - v good

also bought "dear judy" by judy blume for DD on recommendation from another mumsnetter

udar · 13/02/2004 17:33

second the 'crystal' - non scented, very 'green' and strong enough for my dh as well where ALL other deoderants failed.
Best thing I have ever been recommended.

udar · 13/02/2004 17:33

also no white marks

Original poster
norm1 · 13/02/2004 17:39

Great advice,thanks everyone. I'll look into the books to share with her too.

Udar and addle - can you tell me more about the crystal? Like what is it and where is it from? Is it a crystal or is that just its name?

OP posts:
robinw · 14/02/2004 06:13

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