What is the normal age for girls starting puberty??

[HopefullyJustParanoid]

Am rather concerned having just read a Times info about puberty for overweight toddlers starting 'as early as 9' - was already concerned at having spotted a couple of pubic hairs on DD1 (8.5) recently (not deliberately I assure you!!) who is, if anything, too thin. No boob development though someone in her class (also v skinny) already has a bra. How soon does the other stuff start to follow? Is there anything I can/should do? It just seems rather young but she's never been overweight though is quite tall for her age. Can anyone tell me the 'normal' age please?

I think it is anything from 9-17 these days. I believe it is getting younger.

To a degree it demends on the size of the child and the racial group the child is part of (not being racist, this is biology!)

In general pubery kicks in when a girl reaches around 7 stone (although this will vary somewhat from child to child) It tends to happen earier for african/afrocariben boys and girls.

The average age of the onset of periods in the UK is currently running at 12 years and 10 months.

When I was in Primary school quite a few of us got our first periods at around 9-10, none of us were especially overweight, as far as I recall.

IIRC my friends started needing bras/starting periods between the ages of 10-16 with most around 13 (I was 14 but beginning to feel a bit left out). I don't remember the younger ones being noticeably overweight.

This was 20 years ago (crikey! ) and I've heard the trend is for girls to hit puberty earlier than they used to so sounds like your dd is pretty normal.

8.5 is still younger than average, but I dont think that it is considered an 'issue' needing treatment (which happens if a child has a very early puberty)

Height seems to be a factor as don't you have to be a certain weight to hit puberty?

My niece is 9 and has breasts etc.

7 stone, on average

When I was in primary school most girls got their periods at 11 or 12.

blimey - I was about 12 or 13

In the last few years we've noticed at our school an increasing number of girls (all shapes and sizes)starting their periods in Year 4/5 (8-10 yrs), whereas when I started teaching it seemed to be only Year 6 girls, and then only the odd one. I'd love to know why this is! A few of my teacher friends have also commented on this too. I don't think you need to be at all concerned. Have you had the growing up talk with her? All you need to do is make sure she understands what may start to happen to her body and her feelings.

I had always subscribed to the weight theory of puberty - until I had my own children. The skinny, smaller one hit puberty at least two years earlier than the podgy, taller one. Perhaps they are the exception that proves the rule? Then again, perhaps it is to do with genes, and it depends on which particular combination of genes they got? For instance, on my side of the family, the females have had quite a late puberty, while on my husband's side of the family, the females have had an early puberty. Who knows? One thing is for sure - it does seem to be that, on average, it is getting earlier.

Thank you - will weigh her tomorrow but I shouldn't think she weighs as much as 7 stone. By coincidence I did recently give her the 'Hair in Funny Places' book as we'd stayed with a 9 year old friend who was more developed & both DDs were very interested. Don't know about DH's side but I was about 12, but is there long between pubes & periods?? Suspect her hormones are kicking off a bit given her moods of late. But thanks to all for the reassurance!

Yes, I'm mildly sceptical about the 7 stone rule as well -- dd1 (11.5) has several friends who are skinny runty little things who must weigh a good stone and a bit less than she does, yet have proper boobs and pubic hair. While dd1 is tall (90th centile) and muscly but is completely undeveloped, boob-wise.

I'm guessing there's a strong genetic link too -- all my family are tall, yet all my female relatives started periods late (13+ up to about 15 or 16).

I think it's a good idea to make sure they've got all the necessary stuff in their school bags just in case. My dd has a little zippy bag in her school bag and in her gym bag with a couple of wipes, a stick on pad and a pair of pants. And she's practised putting them on. We started this just after they had the "growing up" video in year 5.

TO be honest - I'd ignore the 'rules' and averages - I think it depends more on the individual.
I have two DD's - both adults now. But DD1, who was overweight as a young teen, didn't start her periods until she was 17, or hit puberty until well into her teens. whereas DD2 was 8 and incredibly skinny when she started her periods and by the time she was 10 years old had a 36-22-34 figure.

Thank you - she's not much more than 4.5 stone but that's a great idea about stuff in her school bag that she knows how to use. Sounds like starting early isn't so unusual after all.

I think I was about 9 when I first started getting pubes - I remember we were staying with friends of my parents and I was horrified. But I was nearly 12 and with budding breasts before my periods started - so it was a slow process with me.

my niece started at 9.5 shes not over weight at all. I have just had a little chat with my dd, she was 9 in Nov, just incase anything happens and it frightens her, she took it in her stride and said she would let me know if anything happens. I work in a school and am totally amazed at how developed all the year 6's are - frightening

I am currently going through this with my Dd(6) ,she is been monitored by a consultant at the local hospital,so I have read up as much as I can on the subject.

I have informed her school (mainly due to the pmt symptoms she suffers,)and was told that 3 girls that went up to year 3 in September have already started their periods,and the Junior school has sanitary bins in all the girls toilets now as they've noticed the girls are maturing earlier.

Any signs of puberty under the age of 8 are best to be investigated,ie seeing your Gp,referrals to hospital etc,but signs of puberty starting ie breast development,body hair ,odour etc from 8 years up is now classed as the'norm'.

My Gp told me girls are maturing earlier and earlier,and after the age of 8 is nothing to worry about.

Puberty takes around 5 years to complete with menstruation being the final symptom,it usually starts with body odour,breast development,acne,body hair then finally period,let me just say pmt and hormonal moods can start right at the beginning(trust me a 6 year olod with pmt is a very odd thing to see,and very distressing sometimes too)

I would say see your Gp or school nurse if your concerned in the slightest or just to put your mind at rest.

I hope Ive helped to reassure you abit.

Gosh, i was a late developer then! I didn't start my periods till i was 15! my sister started 1 week before me and she is 18 months younger than me

I think the question is not what it was like for us, but what is like now - ie is it getting earlier.

My dd is 12.5 and not a sniff of puberty! She WANTS it now as all her friends have bras

NAO -- my dd1 feels the same.

Recent conversation:

DD1: Loads of my friends have crop tops, you know.
frogs: Well, I'm happy to buy you a crop top if that's what you'd like.
Dd1, thoughtfully: I haven't really got anything to put in it, have I?

lo thats insightful!

My dd says things like 'can i have a tampon for my bag just incase?'

and (TMI) warning

dd 'Anita has tampons in her bag'
me 'oh has Anita started then?'
dd' no but she DOES have discharge!'

My dd1 is 9.5 and is already developing. We have had the "talk" about periods but quite a while ago now and I think a reminder might be appropriate. She asked me to help her wash her hair the other night and I was surprised how much her body had changed since I last saw her without her clothes on (a couple of months ago).

If anyone could recommend a good book about changing bodies that doesn't go on about sex, I would be very interested. Tried and failed to find one so far.