I'm worried my daughter may be going through puberty early, does any one know how early it can start?

Question

My seven year old (almost 8) just sprouted up so very tall, she is almost as tall as her 10 year old brother (who is in the 90th percentile in height for his age range), she still so skinny (all of my kids are), but in addition to her growth spurt, she has began needing deoderant (she bathes everyday so it's not poor hygiene) and she is beginning to get breast buds. I just want to cry she is so young, I thought puberty didn't start until 11 or older in most girls. Anyone else experienced this with thier child or themselves? How can I help her understand what she is going through? Please no rude comments, this is serious.

Answer 1

Some girls start  younger than others but its perfectly normal.  As in how do you talk to her about it i know my little sister had these books that were for her age and they tought her about the body. It had alot of bright pictures, and it was written in terms she could understand.She got her period at 8 1/2. And she was prepared and not scared. Go to ur library and see if they have books instead of buying one. Good luck

Answer 2

This is normal. It's early, but normal. My daughter was around the same. Expect her period in no less than a year or so - you've got time.

A lot of (normal) kids are smelly early. A friend's son started getting stinky sweat around 5, and the doc said it was normal.

Answer 3

This is early but still in the "normal" range, from around 8-14 girls can have their first period.  Make sure your talk to her soon about how she isn't weird how her body is developing sooner than her friends and that all girls go through this, it's just that she is going through this before anybody else and that it's completely normal.  Talk to her about what a period is and try to make it sound very simple, since her vocab isn't that huge yet and since she is just hearing of it for the first time.  Most schools don't start talking about puberty until about fourth or fifth grade, so she may have never even heard of it before!  You might want to let her keep some pads in her backpack in case of the day it comes and it's during school.  Teach her how to use the pad properly (I don't think a tampon is a good idea for her age right now) and how to dispose of it properly.  Also be ready for when she thinks that she needs to start shaving, if you don't want her to handle a razor just yet, something like Nair or Veet is good.  Make sure that she can talk to you about anything that is on her mind about stuff like this.  I can only imagine how sad you are that your little girl is growing up; I'm only a teen but was the complete opposite of her, I got my first period  at 14 1/2.  I have this really good book about this from American Girl called, "The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls"  It has lots of pictures and doesn't use big words that she wouldn't understand.  It covers a lot, from getting her period, bras, nutrition, acne, and hygiene.  I refer to this book a lot, even though I have read it more than 10 times through now! I bet you that they have some other great books for her age, they might be available in your local library system so just ask your librarian the next time you go to the library.  Good Luck!!

Answer 4

i sprouted breast beads at the age of 7 and had to wear bras and i was very skinny it is sopposed to start at the age of 10 and 11 so yeah!!!!!! it is normal i got my period at the age of 8 .............:}

Answer 5

Some girls are getting their periods at eight or nine, so just make sure you've prepared her, talked with her, etc.

It's kinda sad, but it's because of all the hormones in our water (from women on birth control pills), in the environment, in our foods (animals given growth hormone), eating soy products which mimic estrogen -- any and all of these contribute.

Answer 6

I started puberty at age 8. No need to cry its just puberty gosh. Not the end of the world. Get over it over-protective mommy. Its all natural.

Answer 7

That's not anything to be worried about. My niece started going through puberty at the same age as your daughter.

Answer 8

Oh my!  My daughter just turned 7, so I can't imagine this happening in 1 year.  I do not think that is normal (8 years old), but you have gotten posts from people who started this early (maybe closer to 9 years old).  I was 10 when I got my period and that was considered early (20 years ago).  If she has a dr. I would ask him.  The height thing is perfectly normal though.  Not sure about the breast buds, but I have seen very young girls with b***s; not big but they are there.

Answer 9

I don't think she will be getting her period soon.  You need to weigh about 100 lbs minimum to begin menses, if you never hit that it usually will come but very late.

I began my period at 9 and was 5'4 and 125lbs.  My sister was 15 and 104 lbs 5'6

Answer 10

I started shaving at 9 or 10, it's completely normal. It can start anywhere from 8-12 and end from 10-15.

Answer 11

She may start developing at that age, mine did and arn't particularly abnormal, but my 14 year old hasn't started her periods yet so it doesn't nesacerily mean she will either. Because of the food intake nowadays, puberty is starting earlier and earlier. It's not unusual, and nothing to be worried about.

Answer 12

Girls get taller younger than boys so don't worry on that count. Our pediatrician says after the breast buds start it's usually 2 years before her period will come. We have the same thing here but my grand is now 11. Kids mature earlier than we did and some kids are wearing deodorant by 6 years now. Just make sure she bathes, uses her deodorant in the morning before school and buy her sports bra's. i bet if you look around some of her friends are in the same place.

It was a really rude awakening for us too!

Answer 13

oh my God I feel so bad for you too.  I think you can go to the Dr and get some medicine to stop the puberty onset, you are right it is too early.  My son sprouted this year too, hes 7 almost 8 and omg he must have gained 10 lbs over 2 months and 2 inches in height.  I think there are hormones in the food the kids eat, the meat, etc.  i got my period at 11, in 5th grade.  i was one of the first to get mine.  i thought that was awful, i can not imagine a 8 yr old getting hers.  just go to the dr they will help you!!  dont worry ok?  lots of kids i think are going thru this, you wont be alone.

Answer 14

I was worried about that for my daughter too -- she needed at least a little sports bra by third grade -- and she needed deodorant by 4th -- but she did not get hair that I noticed until 5th and did not start her period until her 12th birthday. So I understand it is alarming but it may not mean it will all happen early.

You do not have to speed up the birds and the bees talk -- keep that geared to her chronological age. But as far as learning about her body -- keep her informed (not to be rude at all but I almost said abreast there) about the changes in her body and do tell her about her period in case it happens.

I was the first girl in 4th grade to get a bra (but I was almost 10 -- but I needed one by the end of 3rd) and I was 11 3/4 when I got my period. I know with my daughter it was the period that really brought it home that she was growing up -- there were LOTS of busty girls in her 5th/6th grade classes. I still think she should not have to deal with her period even though she is going into 7th grade and is plenty old enough.

Get her some anti perspirant -- hopefully the teeny beany kind with a pink or light blue container that will still seem little girlish. Keep some small pads around -- if that happens at least it won`t have to be some big production and surely if it happens in 3rd/4th grade it will at least be light.

They say girls usually get their period 2 years after the first signs of breast buds --so she might be a little shy of her 10th birthday -- that is not so unusual -- or as I said it could take longer as my daughter had b*****s early but started hers at a very typical age.

Be supportive of her girlish exploits. Maybe get her the Daring Book for Girls where she can learn some cool tricks and focus on what her body can do rather than how it looks -- she will need all the positive messages like that she can get because kids unfortunately will comment if anything noticeable happens. :-(

That is all I have. My experience with my daughter honestly was not what I expected from her early bud development -- the rest of it took a while to come in.

Answer 15

I hit the red wave at 8 years old.

...Nothing you can do to stop it. It's h**l for everyone involved.

:( ...Hug the poor girl for me.

Answer 16

My mom started when she was nine.  Until now, that was the earliest I had ever heard of.  Eight years old...?  I didn't know it was possible.

Although it's early, it sounds like your daughter is a beautiful young lady.  You are probably going to have to tell her about menstruation soon, so it doesn't scare her when it happens.

If you can't find the right words, there are videos you can buy to watch with her.  Then, after the movie, ask her if she has any Questions.

Good luck!

Answer 17

Some girls just start earlier than others. I started around that age, and got my period when I was 11. You could get her easy books about it (American Girl has a good one), and there are websites also.