20 answers

9Year Old Development

I have a 9 year old daughter who is slender - on the smaller side. Today, she showed me that one of her breasts has a small "mound" and the areola was a tad darker than the other. I've not done much research on the development of young girls since I thought I had some time but... is this my time? And is it common for the breast to develop on different schedules? Or is it time for a call to the pediatrician?
She sorta cried out when I said I thought she was just developing her breasts - like no, she didn't want them! (Not that she has a choice) Also, any suggestions on helping her deal with this?
Just thought there might be some seasoned mom's out there who can guide me down this path. Thanks

3 moms found this helpful

What can I do next?

So What Happened?™

Thanks for all the great responses I found a book called "The Girls Body Book" and within the first three pages, answered my questions. I really like this book and we've begun to read it together. So, we venture into our next phase.

Thanks again.

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Hi - I don't know too much about the age issue - I was 12, so 9 seems a little young to me, but I read that it is happening younger and younger these days. But I definitely had one breast sort of "pop" out first - a tiny mound just popped up. The other lagged behind, I don't recall by how much anymore, I just remember my friends and I were amused by the one side popping out first. It didn't seem to happen to them.

Dont play games and ask mothers if you are concerned consult a doctor if you cant afford go to a clinic A. of no. Hills

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I would go get it checked out. Probably just early developement. Are you having her drink only organic milk and meat products. There is a huge concern, and rightly so, of hormones in dairy and beef with too many of our girls developing early, having hormones disrupted from their normal cycles.

On another note, you need to also be very aware of the dangers of the Gardasil shots. These are causing serious problems in our young women and I personally am not having my daughter near them and they are promoting them with girls as young as 9. Is your daughter planning on being sexually active before the age of 14? Didn't think so. It has not been proven that HPV is the cause of cervical cancer and the main thing to remember about HPV (there are many types and the vaccine may cover just 4 of them and it may only be effective for five years - they just don't know yet) is that in over 90% of the viruses are taken care of by the immune system. If you get an annual pap smear, the test will catch any cervical cancer and it is easily treated. The problems that are happening is beyond the girls fainting or having soreness at the injection site. There have been over 15,000 (from six months ago) reactions that also include seizures, genital warts, chronic fatigue, paralysis, severe headaches (too much aluminum for the body to handle) and death. There has been a stronger association with our young women having severe problems when there are any allergies anywhere in the family.

So just say no to any Gardasil shots. Let them use someone else a bit longer as guina pigs. If you have the doctor /nurse ask you why you want your daughter to get cancer (nice huh? happened to us) just reply that you'll wait. It is not mandatory AND it should never be given at the same time as any other shot. With any vaccine, ask to read the package insert when you are told there will be shots. Take the time. Please. For more information, visit http://www.nvic.org/

1 mom found this helpful

I think it's probably normal. I started developing on one side first then the other. But I was about 10 or 11 when that happened. My period started at age 12. I would take her to the ped just as a precaution.

Hey K.,
Sounds quite familiar. I had the same thing happen to me when I was nine. Although I do recall that both breasts appeared at the same time. It is a little rough developing at that age. I remember I started my period a year later and that was very traumatizing as well. Thankfully, it didn't happen consistently until junior high.
May I suggest a book by The American Girls called "The Care and Keeping of You"? This book talks about all the changes that will happen to her body and it is very tastefully done and it written specifically for maturing young ladies. I wish I had this book when I was younger because it would have emphasized the fact that what I was experiencing was normal although at a very young age.

Try reading "The Tween Years" by Donna G. Corwin for yourself. And then "the Period Book" by Karen Gravelle.

I haven't read the other posts, so excuse me if I'm just saying the same thing.
Yes it's common, unfortunately. My neice has the buds and pubic hair below and she's only 9 1/2. :( So for my daughter, 8, I went and bought the book about your body, it's by American Girl. I am not at home so don't have the exact name, but just search amazon for American Girl books. It's a great book to read with your daughter and I highly reccommend it.

Hi - I don't know too much about the age issue - I was 12, so 9 seems a little young to me, but I read that it is happening younger and younger these days. But I definitely had one breast sort of "pop" out first - a tiny mound just popped up. The other lagged behind, I don't recall by how much anymore, I just remember my friends and I were amused by the one side popping out first. It didn't seem to happen to them.

Yes, it's normal to start developing this early, and yes, it's normal for breasts to be noticably uneven for several years. I feel your daughter's pain - I was one of only 2 girls in my elementary school who needed a bra, and I was MORTIFIED. I would avoid giving her either a very negative view - "Oh, no, you'll be teased, let's try to hide it, bras are so uncomfortable," - or a very rosy view - "All the other girls will be jealous, you can show yours off when they still have nothing." Either extreme will make it more difficult for her. Treat it the same way you do her eye color, as just a biological fact. Good luck!

Yes it happens.

The "American Girl" series of books, is great, for Mom and daughter, in addressing these kinds of issues. You can find it on www.amazon.com and read the reviews. It talks about these things in a "kid" friendly approach and is not intimidating. Its for this age group. Just go to Amazon and type in "American Girl books" and many will turn up... many topics for a girls changing body and emotional development. Then it may help her to feel better about her body's changes.

Also, the book "Your 9 Year Old" is great... for just reading about what this age development is like. The book is also from Amazon.

And yes, take her to the Doctor, just for a routine exam.

My friend's daughter's went through that at that age... and my Friend said that many of the 9-10 year old girls were getting "puberty" signs already.

All the best,
Susan

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