Is my son starting puberty?

[Mamamoose1]

Hi,
I'm suspecting my 9 year old son (10 in May) is starting puberty, the changes I've noticed is, he is sweating a lot and is starting to smell of BO, do I encourage him to use a deodorant for this? He showers daily now too, even though he tries to avoid showering daily. His voice sounds like it has changed slightly. He also woke up this morning and said he thinks he peed his pants a little in the night, as he had damp pants, but can't remember doing it. Also he seems a bit angry lately, started getting a bit physical with his younger brother, which didn't happen to this degree previously and he's been quite grumpy. Are there any books also that anyone can recommend for boys starting puberty. Sorry for all the questions, but being a woman, it's all new to me.

Thanks in advance!

That's puberty alright!

Deodorant needs to be part of his morning routine, if only for the sake of those that have to smell him all day.

Keep nagging on the showering.

And the night pee sounds like a wet dream.

Sit him down, give him the talk and buy him a book with plenty of answers. I recommend the Usbourne ones.

Thanks for your reply SoWhite, I thought so, but 9 seems quite early to me, I thought boys reached puberty slightly later. I have ordered a book for him, which might reassure him and also may be helpful, if he feels embarrassed about talking to me about anything, (he is generally quite open with me though). Thanks again!

Just looks like you've got an early starter. It happens! Will probably be a good few years before the growth spurts and hair start though.

The Boy Files is a fabulous book.

DS was slightly older, but had deoderant from 10 years. At 11 years, he sprouted hair everywhere. He's just 12 now, and has grown 5 inches in a year.

My son is also 9 - will be 10 in a few weeks. He isn't smelly, but he is growing at an alarming rate (size 6 foot!), is tall, is becoming much more moody and grumpy, and when a few weeks ago he was complaining about groin pain, I had a look and to my shock discovered fine hairs which look like the start of pubes!

I think I'm still in denial because they seem so young! It wasn't until I was about 13 when I started to show signs of puberty.

Thanks for all the replies. I started puberty at 12, that's when changes started happening like periods, breast buds etc. It's surprising how early children are going through puberty now, I know a lady who's daughter is starting to develop breasts who is 10, also one who started her periods in primary school. All seems a bit much too soon for them doesn't it?

BO is the first sign, not sure re wet dreams as that seems to come (if you pardon the pun!) once they are a bit more developed 'down there'.
Girls tend to start earlier though.

Is greasy hair a sign?
11.5 yr old is tall for his age, most of his friends are getting spotty but mine still has the face he had at about 8...he has a very 'baby' face
No hair/smells
Likes to shower every other day....very interested in girls
Poss his Adam's apple is more noticeable.....if your peer group are all starting does that have some sort of affect (like synchronised periods?!)

Clueless.....

My son is 12 next week and started noticeable puberty about a year ago, First was spots and greasy hair/skin, closely followed by BO and sweet so now he has a range of deodorants! Next came public hair (so he tells me!) followed closely by arm pit hair - he has a fair bit now - and now he is getting it above his lip. His voice started dropping about 6 months ago but is much deeper now with just the occasional croak or squeak!

The most noticeable thing for us was the irritability! Really up and down and moody. That and the grown spurt - always seems to start with his feet (he was a size 5 this time last year and is now a 10.5!! He is tall and has grown quickly, after each shoe size. Spent a flipping fortune in shoes as every month his feet grown again!

I am 42 and started my periods age 11 at primary school and so did my Dd last year.

Is it possible there is a more distinct beginning of puberty with girls than boys?
Also for boys....ravenous appetite? Three sandwiches before supper regularly and thin as a reed

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Puberty/Pages/Symptoms.aspx - gives the stages for both boys and girls and approx ages. (My Dd went through the stages a bit earlier than they suggest and had started her periods by age 11 - she was within normal range though)