DD development

[planesick]

DD is 8½. She has small breast buds and today found a public hair. She is tall and stocky compared to her peers as well as carrying puppy fat around her stomach. She eats well, Weetabix, fruit for snack, ½ sandwich, cucumber and other veg for lunch and a home cooked meal (meat, 2 veg for dinner). Snacks and sweets are kept to a minimum during the week, but her dad is home at weekends and then it's a different matter.
So, to my question... Is 8 too young for the first signs of puberty that she is showing? Does she need a checkup from the gp (if covid allows) or shall I relax and leave it? I read puberty is linked to body fat, if that's true how would I find her percentage?
My mother left me to get on with it and I don't want to be the same. I want to prepare and support her.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[JumpLeadsForTwo]

That's not too young for the first signs, but you usually have a couple of years after then till periods start.
Increased BMI (which you can work out with online calendars for children) do tend to bring on puberty earlier, but generally girls are starting much earlier than they did a few decades ago - probably not all to do with increased weight. Just buy one of the books for girls about how the body changes, start talking in a very basic way now so she is open to it, and let her know she ca come to ask you anything as she goes through puberty.

[ducksfizz]

My dd started developing buds at 8y3m, she's now 10y7m but no periods yet.

[dementedpixie]

It's within realms of normal development. Precocious puberty is when it starts under the age of 8. She may not start periods for a couple of years yet.

[Fooshufflewickjingleybells]

One of mine started her periods at 9 probably 8/9 months after starting development. I found it helpful to let her teacher know as it's not necessarily'the norm' in junior school for loo breaks outside of playtime etc

[Lunamable]

Hello planesick, How is your DD doing? Did things progress afterwards?

the way you wrote it, it felt like I’m writing for my daughter she is exactly the same. she’s 8y 2m and going through exact same puberty symptoms. I’m so concerned and worries for the early onset of puberty. Have booked an appointment with the GP.

[planesick]

Sorry @Lunamable I didn't see this til just now. Things seemed to slow down considerably after I panicked. She is now ten and just begining to start the process again. What did the doc say about your daughter? As an aside, can any one recommend hair removal products for a pre teen? My daughter has asked to do this as she is self conscious of her armpit hair.