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Original poster

Calling mums of girls...

32 replies

ShinyHappySchmooo · 15/09/2007 18:13

What age did your DDs first develop breast buds? My 8 year old told me her nipple was "sore underneath" when she touched it.. I had a look and realised she has a small lump directly under the nipple in question (just the one.)

Having googled this, I have seen lots of info suggesting that onset of puberty is not at all abnormal from 8 years onwards and that "breast buds" can appear (and sometimes disappear" apparently, any time from then onwards and sometimes earlier.. and not be associated with precocious puberty.

Thing is DD is a skinny little thing and not very tall for her age either. I imagined that she would definitely not be one of the earlier ones to start puberty. I wasn't myself.. didn't start my periods til I was 14. Csn't for the life of me remember when I first developed breat buds.. but have a feeling it wasn't until the end of primary school.. and I didn't need a bra until the end of first year secondary.. (and don't think I really NEEDED it then.. my mum just took pity on me and got me one because my friends all had them! )

DD said she's had this for about a week she thinks. I will probably get it checked by the doctor but I wanted to ask Mners with daughters of a similar age and older, when their daughters first got a lump under one or both nipples.

DD is nine in Dec.

OP posts:
Tamum · 15/09/2007 18:15

I don't know about lumps because dd hasn't had any soreness, but she is definitely developing breast buds judging by eye, and has had signs for quite a while. She was 9 in April, so probably not far off your dd; several of her friends are the same I think.

Original poster
ShinyHappySchmooo · 15/09/2007 18:22

Thanks Tamum.

Come on Mners... please.. I'm a bit a worried about this. They must be LOADS of people who can add input

OP posts:
dustystar · 15/09/2007 18:23

DD has some too. She discovered hers a few months ago and will be 9 in November. Perfectly normal She's about average height and quite skinny too.

Original poster
ShinyHappySchmooo · 15/09/2007 18:29

Phew thank you Dusty. Anyone else?

Must not be many people online at mo..

OP posts:
frogs · 15/09/2007 18:29

This sounds normal, tbh. Puberty isn't just about body shape/weight, contrary to the number of people you'll hear who tell you they start periods when they reach 7stone. I guess that must play a part, but it's certainly not the whole story -- dd1 (12) is tall and quite solidly build, but hardly developed at all, whereas some of her friends who are much smaller and slighter than her have proper boobs and adult pubic hair.

In any case, small lumps at this age don't mean she'll be in a 34C bra within the year -- dd1 told me the other day she'd first noticed the lumps when she was 10, and two years later is still almost completely flat-chested.

hth

harpsichordcarrier · 15/09/2007 18:30

hello, I remember mine developing when I was 8 (nearly nine) although I didn't go on to start my periods until I was 13.
I remember standing in the girls' toilets at primary school that winter and feeling another girl's and getting her to feel mine because they were a bit sore and I wanted to be sure they were normal

MaureenMLove · 15/09/2007 18:30

DD started getting buds at about 9 I think. They didn't seem to develop past that for about a year after that though, although her nipples started to get darker and it wasn't long before she started getting hairy iykwim! I remember being utterly shocked when I caught sight of her in the bath one day! She has just started her periods now too. (She's almost 12) I always thought that she would be one of the last too, as she was always slighter in build to the rest of her peer group. HTH.

summer111 · 15/09/2007 18:31

dd developed her first breast bud in May, aged 9 1/2 - the nipple looked puffy and there was a lump underneath. The other nipple looks like it is developing now. DD is well built - not fat but not skinny. However I certainly was a few years older when mine strted developing so I guess she has inherited DH's family genes...I have seen some of the girls in ds's class (aged 8), who appear to be developing buds so I wouldn't worry and would expect your dd is just a little ahead of the 'norm'.
Just to add, the school give the children their sex education talk in Year 5 as the head stated that they have had girls menstruating at this age.

Hope that helps!

kittylouise · 15/09/2007 18:33

Hi, I don't think that it is a cause for concern. DD started with breast buds at the age of 9, they were quite tender and sore at times, and sometimes quite itchy and 'tingly'. She was wildly excited (I wasn't to be honest, I thought she was so young for the onset of puberty, I didn't hit puberty until I was nearly 16), we wnt out and bought bras etc. She is now nearly 12 and they have hardly grown since then.

She was quite pleased because she found out that wearing bras was a bit of a bore!

Original poster
ShinyHappySchmooo · 15/09/2007 18:53

Thank you.

Do you not think I need get it checked then? Feel a bit dramatic now..

OP posts:
MaureenMLove · 15/09/2007 19:34

No, you're not being dramatic! If it puts your mind at rest, then you should take her.

Original poster
ShinyHappySchmooo · 15/09/2007 19:52

Thank MML. I may take her to be on the safe side

OP posts:
lucyellensmum · 15/09/2007 20:21

SSS, same thing happened to my DD, i cant remember how old she was, but i remember sobbing over my microscope at work as i was really worried. She had already some development but one was lumpy. I took her to the doctors who examined her, much to her and said, everything was fine, all normal and that young girls often develop this way, remember that breast tissue is mostly adipose tissue (fat!) and if you grab small bits of it it does feel lumpy, so if dd is only laying down her first bits of breast tissue it will feel lumpy. Interestingly, had this with DD2, when she was born! again, quite normal reaction to breast milk apparently, so my betting is that this is either hormonal happenings or her first visit from the breast fairy.

I think you should take her to the doctors if this advice doesnt put your mind at rest, because once you have had the doc (female) confirm it is ok, you can put any niggling doubts out of your mind.

Polgara2 · 15/09/2007 21:11

Perfectly normal - dd1 had breast buds and soreness at just 9. Didn't take her to doctors because she would have been mortified at being examined -(have you taken that into consideration?) but did ask the doctor myself who confirmed that it was ok. She's now 10 and says they're not sore at the moment. HTH

sylvev · 16/09/2007 11:06

Shiny, so glad you posted. I am in the same position. DD is 8 and she said 3 nights ago "mummy, I've got lumps in my booby". I panicked inside, reassured her it was very normal and once she was asleep googled like mad! I am now reassured that these are breast buds and all part of growing up. Wondering if I need to talk about periods with her yet? What do you all think?

Rumpel · 16/09/2007 11:12

I went to school with a girl who had B cups and periods at 9 years old - everyone develops at different ages.

seeker · 16/09/2007 11:16

I think you need to talk about periods as soon as possible - if only so that you're sure she's got the facts straight before they start talking about it in the playground!

nooka · 16/09/2007 11:37

I would be wary about taking her to the doctors unless she wants to go. Why not leave it for a few weeks and see if it settles down? Regarding periods yes of course you should talk about them, my two know all about them from having grown up with me - I think it's important for all children to think they are a normal part of life. I do think it is sad how early they are starting now, I was thirteen, which was about average 20 odd years ago, and I wouldn't have minded starting them 15 years later in time for babies!

sylvev · 16/09/2007 11:56

I think I will talk with her now. 8 just seems so young. I remember having a talk with my mum at about 11.

Original poster
ShinyHappySchmooo · 16/09/2007 12:32

Sylvev yes I think its time for the periods chat. Luckily I've already been there with DD.. she has known for years as I've never hidden tampax from her and she wanted to know what they are. In recent months I've explained further, as she has become more able to take it on board.

I honestly don't believe for one moment that DD would be embarassed about seeing the GP if I do take her. She is just a little child in this respect and see her nipples as just her chest and nothing at all to be embarassed about. She is not at all body shy yet.

Thanks for all the reassuance.

OP posts:
Original poster
ShinyHappySchmooo · 16/09/2007 19:52

Did anyone notice if the lump(s) were ever slightly "off centre" as DD's seems to be a little bit?

I think I will get this checked out, just so I can be sure it's fine

OP posts:
sylvev · 16/09/2007 20:28

Yep, off centre and only on the one breast atm.

We had our chat and it went well. I've never deliberately hidden anything from her but having a 13 yr old ds, my experience with him was very different! Any mention of changing body parts etc., he was out the room,claiming he knew everything and did not want to talk about it! He is more forthcoming now esp as he is rather proud of his deep voice and fluffy moustache and will talk more openly with dh.

I'm sure your dd is fine but it is always best to follow your instincts I think.

Nemo2007 · 16/09/2007 20:30

I dont know about breast buds but my girls are only little and have little lumps under their nipples that move slightly. I think I read somewhere that it is hormone related.

Original poster
ShinyHappySchmooo · 16/09/2007 20:35

Oh thanks for that reassurance re "off centre".

Isn't it funny.. we are women.. and yet I can't remember quite how the those lumps first appeared.. and when!

I have a fluffy moustached, deep voiced DS as well who also used to beat a hasty retreat when I tried to have these types of convos with him! A few of years ago I cornered him in the bath (so he couldn't escape!) and told him about wet dreams.. obviously he already knew.. and loads more names for it that I knew besides! .. and was horrified at my attempt at reassurance!! I just wanted to be sure he knew so it didn't happen and worry him.. as if my friends had not told me about periods I would have thought something was seriously amiss when it first happened to me.. I just didn't want to be like my mum and say diddly squat!

Boys are harder to "do the right thing by" I think.. DD has a much more relaxed and enquiring attitude.. and is quite happily interested in her "boobie" development

OP posts:
sylvev · 16/09/2007 20:52

You were allowed in the bathroom? my ds knew that was where I was most likely to appear with my "where do babies come from and other vital facts" book... so he always barricaded himself in

My dd is, like yours, more relaxed about these things and seemed really interested and not shocked by our talk.

Let us know what the doc says, I'm sure it will be fine.