Daughter Entering Puberty?

Hi K.,
My daughter (now 9) started growing hair in the pubic area first as well. I think she was 8. Then she started 'budding' in the breast area toward the end of last school year. I bought her training bras but her dad was in TOTAL denial and said not yet! Over the summer she matured in both areas. More hair and more breast buds. She even had some spotting at the beginning of this school year (she is in the 4th grade). Just for 2 days and very little and that was it. I freaked out of course, until I spoke with her pediatrician whose own daughter did the same thing and then nothing for a year! I think it is the beginning of puberty. I went out and bought her a book by the American Girl company, The Care and Keeping of You. It is very informative but not too graphic. In any case, good luck to you and your daughter!

J.

4 moms found this helpful

My daughter started growing underarm hair right after she turned 9 (we have those same hairy genetics and she took after me). She needed deordarent at 8. She is very slim so weight is not an issue. Her breasts are just beginning to emerge, just barely and she's fine. According to the mothers of some of her friends, she's not the only one so I wouldn't worry too much. Just as an FYI my son started puberty at 8, very early for a boy. I had him tested. The doctor said he was at the very high end of normal and his physical age is 3 years beyong his chronological age. At 12 he's 6 ft and wears a size 13 mens shoe which seems to be normal on my husband's side of the family. So puberty seems to be coming earlier now. My son drinks a lot of milk and I only recently switched to organic. If you're worried take her to the doctor but from what I know of my niece and other girls, she's normal. Take care and don't worry!

1 mom found this helpful

I have read articles that a lot of girls are entering puberty earlier and earlier. She may indeed be entering puberty. You might call your pediatritian and get her in to be tested. They don't generally suppress puberty unless the girls are under 3, the side effects are like menopause. There could be other reasons, so do talk to your ped...
Good luck!
R.

It does seem to me that young girls are entering puberty earlier now than say 40 years ago. There is a wonderful book we used with our daughter when she was that age titled "What's happening to Me?" She may develope breast buds soon. I would recommend that you find a nice female GYN, (I took my girls to Womens Health Center, Dr. Lynne Nguyen on Talbert in Fountain Valley. ###-###-####) so she gets comfortable with the idea of taking good care of her body.

Hi, K....

My daughter is 9 1/2 and she started with smelly perspiration at the beginning of Kindergarten, believe it or not. Her breasts began to develop (just enough to notice) this past summer. She, too, has very fine hair in her pits, and I don't know about her pubic area. I believe your daughter is starting puberty. It's shown that girls are going through this earlier than the past generations. Of course, I am sure that genetics is playing a role in this. My daughter also has been having "growing pains" in the evening and mood changes (yikes). Don't know if this helps you, but know that you are not alone.

~L. M

Hi, I am sure it is nothing. I would mention it to her doctor at her check up. I echo using organic dairy.