Deodorant Use on a Seven Year Old? She Thinks She Needs It.

I would get her something aluminum free--like Tom's of Maine. The honeysuckle scent is very light.

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They have teen ones. And trust me, if she is WANTING to do it, jump on it now and encourage her. My 11 yo won't put any on because she "forgets" and trust me, she NEEDS it. So I say take her and let her pick out one she thinks she will like and let her start getting in the habit now. Good luck!

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Amen on the aluminum-free comment by Denise P. . . . there is no way I will allow my teens to use any aluminum based anti-perspirants (I know you mentioned deodorant which is not technically the same thing).

As far as the timing goes - it seems early, but then again kids are going through puberty sooner now it seems (a whole discussion in and of itself as to why).

I love the Tom's deodorants - I get them at Whole Foods, but have also seen them in CVS.

The best course of action for me is a daily shower, sometimes twice if it's very hot.

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She is old enough to wear deodorant when she starts to smell funky. There is no one age that this starts. My nine-year-old daughter is now wearing deodorant. At eight, she would get sweaty and not smell, at nine, she smells.

If your daughter thinks she smells and is self-conscious about it, then I would let her use deodorant. I don't see the harm.

I don't remember when I started wearing it, but that is irrelevent, since I didn't need a bra until 15, and my daughter needs one at 9.

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It really isnt healthy to use anti perspirant, dont start that too young!! get her only all natural deodorant only. or convince her she smells great just the way she is!!

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I am one for hygiene right away so I let my kids decide when they need to use it. I would rather have them get in the habit early.

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My daughter started needing deodorant at 6. I bought her Tom's of Maine~ Lavender.

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My 5 yr old boy wears deoderant. He is musky already! I didn't start using deoderant until I got my period. If she's self concious about it, I would just let her. It's nerve wracking enough being a girl. Or maybe she just wants to emulate you or not disapoint gramma. I think Teen Choice is the one to buy.

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My 8 year old started a couple of months ago, as I noticed it at the end of the day she was smelling a little funky. I figured it wouldn't hurt and this way she won't get picked on if she is smelling at school. I was picked on at school and I really want to help her not go through what I had to go through in school.

She doesn't wear it all the time, but most days she puts it on and it makes her feel grown up to do what mom does. I buy the teen spirit one.

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I think it is a good habit to develop now, it evades the fighting and arguing that is sure to come when she really does have BO.

My daughter is also 7 (she will be 8 in March) and also just started wearing deoderant. She was pretty self conscious about being "stinky' so I talked to her pediatrician at her last appt. The Dr. said if it makes her feel better there is no reason she could not use it. I took her to the store and let her pick one out. Most days now she doesn't even think to use it, but its there if she wants to. Good luck!

My 9 year olod daughter needs it! She had to wear it last year in 2nd grade or she would come out of school stinking! I make sure she remembers every morning before school. The stink has become alot less in the summer when she drinks alot of water. If she doesn't drink and pee alot during the day, the stink is definitely worse. I did try the all natural deodorants first because I have heard people talk about the aluminum in anti perspirants not being good for you. ...she finds them very sticky and doesn't really like them. I have looked all over for just a deodorant and not a deodorant/anti perspirant but I can not find one anywhere. Except for like the all natural toms which again she finds way to sticky. I thought all the name brands like secret and suave made just a deodorant but I can't seem to find it. I'd try that first if you can find one just in case the aluminum isn't good for you.

I would let her is she wants to...

I actually have a cute/funny story about my daughter and deodorant...

We have a teen age cousin that she is very close to and my daughter watched her put it on one day...

Sydnee came to me and said "when can I wear the big chapstick?"...
Me. "what big chapstick?"
Her: "You know the big chapstick that goes under your arms, Sammy wears it!"...

Needless to say I will never forget that but if Syd feels like she's smelly and she wants to I would go with the Toms as well for her.

My daughter is seven and she needs it.. her pits would sweat and I asked the Doc and he said she may be an early bloomer.. my little sister had per period at nine.. i had mine at 14 so it varies even within families..
We use Secret invisible solid-powder fresh and she has a morning routine.. brush teeth.. eat.. get dressed and she puts the deodorant on right before I do her hair :)

My kids started using the hard mineral based deoderant that you get wet and apply, it has no smell to it, dries completely and just prevents the bacteria from growing. It doesn't prevent a child from sweating, but prevents the stink and doesn't perfume them up. Some people call it rock deoderant. If she wants to start on this part of hygiene now, you may have one thing licked as she grows and rebels.

our school district sends out a letter to parents in the 2nd grade .....requesting use of deodorant for the kids. AND they're right! After gym class those classrooms stink!

My niece used ?Teen Spirit?Stick....whatever it's called.

My son used whatever I had a coupon for!

My son was 5 with the most massive armpit stink you can imagine. Absolutely putred. I couldn't figure out why my 5 year old boy had arm pit stink but he did.

Check her out but I would probably get her an deoderant from a health food place rather than an antiprespirant you find at most stores. The pits need to sweat sometimes. It is healthy. You actually get the funk from the bacteria that feasts on the sweat.

Also a change in diet may help too if this is the case with your girl.

If she's asking then there is no harm in letting her wear it. Stick to the deodorant instead of antiperspirant.

My daughter started wearing it whe she was 5. I noticed her being a bit stinkiy around then. I talked with her Dr. about it & he said that it was ok to use. She uses Tom's of Maine Apricot. (She likes the lavender, but the smell of lavender makes me extremely nauseous, and since she still likes to snuggle & read stories, apricot was the best option for us.) We buy it at Target. Although, I'll have to look for the honeysuckle that another mom posted about.

Her Dr. didn't have any idea why she would be smelly @ such a young age. She is basically a vegan, and we only eat organic. He did say that we need to keep an eye on things just in case she begins puberty at a very early age.

I remember wearing deoderant right 6th grade. My mom has "SUPER NOSE" so any smells are really pungent to her, so I'm sure that if I would have started to stink before that, she would have made sure that I was wearing deoderant! : )

Good luck!

My son is 7 and we have decided to have him wear deodorant. He has a little brother that wants to mimic him so we let him as well. I don't think it will hurt anything by your daughter using the deodorant. I don't think a certain brand would matter for now just get her maybe a cheaper one to start using. Good luck on your decision.

I think I was around 9 or 10 when I started wearing it regularly, but I used to sneak my moms when I was younger because I wanted to be more grown up. I would suggest getting a deodorant that is made for younger girls, something like a teen spirit (if they still make those). The reason is because I think that at such a young age a full strength deodorant might be a little harsh for her sensitive skin. SHe probably wants something to smell nice and you should probably show her what an appropriate amount to put on is. My sister used to put on like 20 swipes to guarantee a pleasant smell. Also, make it very clear that deodorant is only for the underarms (the same sister put it on her forhead at 8 years old because she was sweaty!).

I can't think of a reason that she really "shouldn't" use deodorant... If it will make her happy, why not? I started using it at 11, before then I really never sweat enough to need it!

But I second (or third haha) to definitely go with aluminum free (which is actually usually in antiperspirant-deodorant). The reasoning- there is some evidence that using antiperspirant with aluminum is linked to breast cancer... Maybe, maybe not- but why take that risk, when your daughter will probably do just fine with a plain deodorant!?

Good Luck!
-M.

My daughter had to start using deodorant at 8. She has to shower at least 2x a day or she doesn't smell good...can't tell you how many doctors we've been to and can't find a reason....

I bought her Teen Spirit - i don't know if it's out anymore...

I would try Dove Deodorant...but really - i would let her use DEODORANT NOT anti-perspirant....

My kids are 4, 4, and 7 and they have always wanted to wear deodorant to mimic us so we just let them put a little on. It doesn't hurt them in any way. Do whatever you feel is right for your family.

My son is already needing deoderant now. He's also 7yrs almost 8yrs. Pretty early I think, but, it's true. I would just buy her Secret or Suave. Something light and not too fragrant.