Starting Puberty

[Quornflakegirl]

I have two 8 year old DDs, both tall for their age (height of an average 10 year old) and slim. I noticed one started getting smelly armpits a couple of months ago and I recently got her some child friendly first roll on. In the last week I have noticed my other dd also getting smelly armpits (neither smell in a bad way, just to add). I am surprised as I presumed (obviously wrongly) that this wouldn't happen for another couple of years.

I know this varies greatly among children but is this early or normal?

12 yo DS is fully developed iyswim, and has black hairy armpits and growing a moustache. Started around 10 with the armpits.

My understanding is that Puberty starts at the optimum weight for the child... so can kick in from 8 if we’ll developed

Under 8 is early puberty. Over 8 is within normal limits. It could still be years before periods start

That's in line with my experience (2 girls)

It's not puberty proper (boobs then periods); it's adrenarche, which happens at around this age. Perfectly normal, I wouldn't worry at all.

thats a normal age to start getting stinky

My children's ped doctor said puberty is triggered by weight or height. My friends daughter started getting smelly arm pits at 8 and her period had started by 10. 8 is early but apparently not worryingly so (my friend took her daughter to a doctor.

It's more triggered by body fat % than a specific weight. Can also be linked to when other females in the family started theirs as well

Could be early adrenarche, my DD has this. She is 8 and has mild adult BO and very light armpit hair. Puberty proper does not start for girls until breast buds- even then you usually have 2 years before periods. So whilst a girl with early adrenarche might be on the early side for periods it should still be a few years away.
My DD is tall but following her line which indicates she hasnt started a big puberty growth spurt yet. She also has no breast buds so is probably still several years away from a period. Your DDs could be the same.
I used to worry but now I dont- they're all different and as long as they do not have rapid and progressive breast development then periods are probably a while away.

What’s Happening to Me is probably going to be a good read for both you and your daughters.

@Ploughingthrough have you had that diagnosed through a paediatrician? Puberty usually starts in children at 8. Body hair (such as underarm and leg hair) is normal, as well as body odour. Paediatrician confirmed this when DD started going through puberty and I thought she was too young.

ChancesWhatChances yes through a paediatric endocrinologist after various tests.
Diagnosis was early adrenarche (it was slightly before 8) which is characterised by BO, some pubic and/or underarm hair but no breast buds and no growth spurt. Also verified by various blood tests. She will no doubt still be early to periods etc but this is normal for our family so nothing to be majorly concerned about. Cant account for ops DDs though of course, just giving my experience.

Oh and its definitely normal- it's just for some kids adrenarche comes quite a while before proper puberty(like my DD) , for many it all kind of comes a bit closer together...

Totally within the normal range. Might be a bit of armpit hair to come next.

Although puberty doesn't always happen in the order it says in the books! A period is said to be the last thing to come, but for me it was almost first - coming just before my 12th birthday. I didn't really have any breasts or body hair to speak of!