Early Puberty???

Hi Moms...I'm a little freaked out. My eight year old daughter was in the shower last night...and I noticed that she has the beginnings of pubic hair!! My jaw dropped! She is a very tall and big girl...not overweight, but not far from it. She hasn't shown any other signs of womanly development. She is my oldest, and though we've started talking about bodies and the changes she will have coming up...I didn't think they'd come THAT fast. Have any of you gone through early puberty with your daughters? In your experience,does this mean that I have a year, 6 mo's or ??? My heart breaks at the thought of her having to deal with this so soon. She's mature for an eight year old, but still. Is there any way to stop it from coming...I haven't discussed w her pediatrician yet. But if you know of somethings to bring up to him, it would be helpful...any advice would be helpful. Am I over reacting...I don't remember how old I was when I started developing?

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So What Happened?™

Ladies,
THANKS SO MUCH for the responses. I will definitately start looking into organic products...Guess what my daughter's fav drink is...MILK. I already limit her, so I will really explore the organic and plastic aspect, as well as speaking with her pediatrician. I plan on having some more conversations with her this weekend about her body and changes coming her way...like many of you, my Mom (God love her) didn't really know how to discuss with me, so I got a pamphlet to read LOL. I didn't know how to correctly use a tampon til college. I have another daughter, who is five. I will use this info to help keep her from POSSIBLY going through the same thing!

Again, THANKS so much ladies!! You've given me lots of great advice, information and SUPPORT!! Much MUCH appreciated!!! God Bless you all!

More Answers

W.H. answers from Springfield on March 05, 2009

Hi S.,

I haven't dealt with this as a mother yet, however I dealt with it personally. I started when I was in the 3rd grade. It was very hard to deal with because my mother didn't discuss it with me at all beforehand and no other girls were going through it. So, my advise would be to prepare her for what is to come. Based on the changes she is starting to go through I would say there's at least a possibility of more to come in the near future. I wish you both the best of luck, I have a feeling I'll probably have to deal with this with my own daughter in a few yrs.

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J.C. answers from St. Louis on March 04, 2009

Sorry, but it's fairly normal. I started at 10 (literally on my 10th birthday!) & I had hair long before then. I also know there were a few in my class that had started before then. It's hard to think these little kids have to go through this so young. (We wonder why we grow up so fast - than you God for making htis way!) My cousins were fortunate & didn't start until they were like 14 & 15. Information is GOOD! Somehow I think my mother thought if she didn't acknowledge it - it would go away...LOL! Just don't traumatize her with it. Good luck - it's a rough road a head for the both of you.

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M.F. answers from St. Louis on March 05, 2009

S.,

You should bring the issue with your daughter's pediatrician. Not long ago, I watched a program about early puberty on TV and doctors, parents and kids (girls and boys) were interviewed. There was a mention about a treatment geared to delay the process. You may want to discuss the possibility with your pediatrician, discuss pros and cons, and even seek a second opinion to make sure you are doing what is best for your daughter.

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