What Is Going on with My Eight Year Old Daughter?

I have a 10 yr old daughter and when she was 9 I started to notice that discharge in her panties. It is very normal and starts a couple years before the period stage....so get ready! :) If there is a female doctor in the office I would take her to see her. She is too young for a GYNO and a male Dr down there may freak her out.

Hi N..
I don't have any daughters, but I have heard stories from some other Moms who had similar issues with their daughters developing early; at about 8 yrs. of age. In both cases, they started buying organic milk for them, & within weeks their daughters returned to being normal 8 yrs. olds. I don't know if this is the issue with your daughter or not, but it might be worth a try. I think the artificial hormones the cows get are what causes the early development. With organic milk however, they don't give them any hormones.

I had this issue when I was young like crazy! Sometimes it was so bad that it would crust in my pubic hairs....very uncomfortable. You're lucky I don't get embarrassed easily....here's why I think I was having the issues. I've read that discharge is a sign of molestation. Well, when I was in about the 3rd grade, I was spending the night with a friend whom I saw masterbating when I woke up in the morning. I was very curious, so after that, I tried it myself. Once I felt how good it felt I began doing it all the time, basically out of boredom. So, this is obviously the reason for my discharge back then. If your daughter is doing the same, it could be the reason. I would talk to her. I wouldn't come out and ask her, but I would give her a couple of reasons that can cause it. Something like "You know, I know you're wondering why this is happening, and here are a couple of things that have caused it to happen to other girls." Atleast then she'll know why, and if those two things aren't the reason, think about changing obgyn's, so you both are comfortable enough to ask these sorts of questions.

I believe it is normal. However, if you are concerned or just want to be positive, I would talk to the gynacologist. After all, it is their specialty. Good luck N.!

As early as nine is normal and eight seems just a tad to young but some ethinicities do have a tendency to develop faster. But if you are concerned about her size and muscular issues which do seem abnormalu you she have her checked by a good peditric endochronologist and have a complete bloodwork drawn up. Kids are not supposed to develop good muscule tone until they have completed puberty. I would have a doctor or a gynochologist check her out just to be safe.

Unless she's itchy, it's normal. If the discharge is cloudy and combined with irritation, it could be a yeast infection. She doesn't need to wear pantie liners unless it's so much that it's soaking through her pants or something like that.
Get the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility". It will explain menstruation cycles so she knows what to expect when she starts. The discharge tends to change through the month, hers may already be doing this, and it may not.
I wouldn't take her to the doc about it unless there's irritation or a change in color - anything clear, white, or kinda creamy pale yellow is normal. But, I have read that girls should start seeing a GYN after they start their period so that there is a gynecological history if anything comes up later on. Plus, as a pre-teen and teenager, she's not likely to feel comfortable talking to a male pediatrician about "women issues" and would be better off with a female she's gotten to know. Another great option is a Certified Nurse Midwife. They are qualified not just to attend birth, but to do yearly exams as well and tend to have better a bed-side manner than many GYNs, and spend more time at each appointment talking with the patient about everything going on her her body and her life.

I don't think 12 seems too young to be starting puberty. Generally, they say that girls tend to follow their mothers, so if you started your period around 13 or 14 then this starting for her at 12 seems right. I'd call the pediatrician and ask. Male or female, the dr will be fully aware of puberty and problems. A phone call if you are concerned never hurt.

it has been my experience that girls nowadays start maturing at around age 8 . With both my daughters I first noticed the mood swings and "teenager attitude" starting around that age.
Having said that, i would still talk to her doctor about it. There could be something else going on that you need to address.

My son has problems with his pituitary gland and it causes him to be very short and we have been told he will not go into puberty until the doctor gives him shots to induce it. My point is, pituitary gland controls height and also sexual maturation, so I am wondering if hers may be a little overactive. Just a thought. I would start with her pediatrician and he should know if she needs to see a GYN or possibly an Endocrinologist.
It could also be that she is just very tall and has something simple like a yeast infection.
Good luck!

A male pediatrician will be able to help you. He knows about this stuff in his training, and should feel comfortable discussing it with you and your daughter. It just depends on you and your daughter's comfort level. If there is discomfort, it might be time to switch to a female Pediatrician, but only if discomfort. There is no reason not to go to a male ped.
It is normal to have clear discharge. I learned a long time ago that a girl has to be about 100 pounds to start her period, so she is close to that. She could be entering puberty, but talk to her Ped if there is any concern.
R.

Hi N.,

Yes, this can be normal at this age. My daught will be 9 years old in nine days and has recently started with the discharge. My niece did, also, at this age. She is now 12 and still has not started her period. Yes, this is the beginning of her entering puberty, but it can still take several years. This is the time to really start stressing hygiene. Talk about how she bathes and make sure she has deoderant. She may start dealing with more body odor and oilier hair, so talk about the way things have changed and how her habits need to reflect that change. It will make her feel more comfortable. Yes, it definitely happens sooner than it used to.

N.,
I had the same problem when I was her age, even younger. Growing up, all I heard was that it wasn't normal and I constantly heard my mom talk to her sisters about it. I grew up with this "idea" that there was something wrong with me. Now as an adult, I was surprised to hear that it's normal! Some women just have heavier discharge than others. As long as it doesn't have a smell or itchiness. Just take her for a check up to discard any problems. It's also true that girls are starting their period much earlier. I've had friends that their daughters had their period when they were 9! so 12 it's not too bad :)

These days, she is not too young to start her period. Buy the book "The Care and Keeping of Me" by American Girl Press and go over it WITH you daughter. It covers everything from basic hygiene to menstruation. I introduced it to my daughter early (about 8 1/2) and she's very comfortable coming to me with questions. Best of luck.