Daughters and Puberty

Robin - posted on 11/05/2010

You have a lot of good information here but I just wanted to post anyway. My Daughter just started her period last Month and she is 13. I thought she was starting to show signs at 9 but it never happened so you never know. Good Luck :)

Elizabeth - posted on 11/05/2010

I had the same thing. There was a really good book suggested to me (I ended up not getting it and I'll tell you why in a sec) it was by American Girl books - I forgot the name...but there are 2 one gets into more detail than the others go to AMAZON and search "girls books on puberty" and read the reviews -
Anyway - we went to the Pediatrician for her annual check up and I asked her (the Doc) about it. She said even though she's showing earl signs the "big stuff" is a while off. She was right - my daughter has a beginners bra and that's all so far and it's been since the end of school last year. So don't worry too much!
OH - but the mood swings?....yep THEY started!!! lol

Jamie - posted on 11/03/2010

My granddaughter is showing signs of puberty already and she is 6. I have talked with her Dr. The only advice he gave me was that children are matureing (sp?) earlier and earlier. If I didn't honestly think she was to young, I'd swear she is getting ready to start her menstral cycle in the next 6 mo. The Dr. tells me anything is possible, she wears a bra already and shows all the signs of getting ready......I have prepared her as best I can and her Mother is doing the same thing.......I do know the women on my side of the family are early starters.....I was 9 when I started and my Mother was 10, my sister was 10.......I'm guessing in my family its hereditary. I do know that the growth hormones given to cows to produce milk faster is passed on to our children. I have a 1 1/2 yr old daughter and use organic milk that is not filled with growth hormones, in hopes that she won't be 6, 7, 8, or 9 when she starts. Hope I was helpful.
The only advice I can give is.....when she ask questions remember she is 6 and needs/deserves a 6 yr old answer that is the truth.

Mary - posted on 11/02/2010

I have heard the same thing about processed foods - also the milk with hormones. We live out in the country - raise our own cattle and for years bought the hormone free milk... don't know if any of it helped but it sure makes me feel better!

Mary - posted on 11/02/2010

wow - eight?!!! my oldest daughter didn't start her period until she was 13 - I have a 10 year old ...not looking forward to all of that again!!LOL

Tina - posted on 11/02/2010

I read some place that the processed foods that we are now eating in America has an effect on early puberty. I am not sure what signs she is having but I wouldn't panic. She is 8 years old. Her pediatrician should take a look at her and give you advice.
This is my recommendation.

Diann - posted on 10/29/2010

I hope this does not sound like i am on a soap box or anything, But I hear MORE and MORE about early starters these days! Yes we had the early starters when I was younger but it seems to be going on more and more! I believe that it is the additives and growth hormones that they put in our foods that may be the cause of this... That said, I will get off my soap box now... Back to your daughter, I am sure that she is indeed going to be an early starter, and I am 110% behind each and every Mom that says, EXPLAIN to HER WHAT IS GOING ON WITH HER NOW! Use terms she can understand. She needs to get the information from a Mom in the KNOW not from other girls at school that may not understand what this is yet themselves. Good luck!

Sarah - posted on 10/28/2010

I'm not sure of your location, but Dr. Oz is doing a show on this very topic today.

Sandra - posted on 10/28/2010

Well I was 17 before I got mine..and let me tell you, that emotionally it was probably just as bad as too early! I started thinking I could never have babies and that I wasn't like all the other girls! I lied all the time in phys ed because I was the only girl who never had an excuse for not going swimming, or having cramps...I remember in grade nine, everyone was discussing who used tampons and they looked at me! What was i to say..I lied! I had no boobs in grade ten, they called me goose bumps or cherry pits and then after the summer of grade 11 I finally got boobs..and then they all thought I had a breast job done, because as far as they where concerned..I had my period from grade 8, so it wasn't puberty! eeshh! My two girls I think are prepared, I kind of hope they won't go early. We farm and grow all our own food and actually sell antibiotic and hormone free milk and meat and eggs. Please remember to re assure your girls if they are later that they are normal too! My mom though i was having it, because my Dad took me to the dentist when i was 15 and they asked him if i had started menstruating and he asked me..I said "Yeah" !

Lina - posted on 10/28/2010

i remember when my eldest daughter got her period at 10 and half i cried my eyes out secretly of course, i never knew why they were not sad or happy tears they were tears for the heck of it- it is nowadays normal for the girls to get their period so young, talk to her about the process tell her what her body is going through now, if you are afraid of saying the wrong words consult her doctor or yours and learn from them what you should tell her, i prefer that the mother herself talks to the gilrs about that it will be given with love and compassion rather than strictly proffessional. remember to show your joy in the coming changes and be frank so that she will not be shy when she wants to approach you in discussing relative problems.good luck

Joan - posted on 10/27/2010

i don't know where you are from ,but today on the dr oz show that is what they are talking about.

Kimberly - posted on 10/27/2010

Depending on the "signs" you seeing you may want to do the following 1) if they are physical you might want to take her to your pediatrician, family Dr. for a friendly visit just to get a medical opinion (it will happen regardless but couldn't hurt 2) if it's emotional by daughter at 9 was showing the emotional roller-coaster signs (not typical for her before that) and right at that time one of the local female Dr.s offered a free open lecture for Parents and girls ages 8 - 16 on puberty. I asked her if she wanted to go - she did and it was great - we sat there together - the Dr. was kind and funny and serious and factual - we heard it all - and consequently we were able to talk about anything concerning the subject after that. We both knew what the other had heard and so it wasn't embarrassing to have discussions about it. If you can find something like that I highly recommend it... Just for the record my daughter didn't then start her period until she was in 8th grade.

Debbie - posted on 10/26/2010

I remember that I started menstruating at 8 years old and I was scared! My mom hadn't talked to me because I was so young. I thought I had cut myself and didn't say anything until a day later. My mom then explained and I was very relieved! Talk to your daughter. Just keep the language simple and on her level. She may know more than you realize. I talked to both of my daughters at young ages because of what I went through and everything turned out fine!

Nancy - posted on 10/26/2010

My daughters' best friends daughter who is only 7 just started menstrating. and my son's girlfriends daughter started at 10. The 7 year old was in the hospital because her stomach hurt. My daughter immediately told her daughter about this because she is the same age as this little girl. Didn't want her being scared if it happened to her.

Louise - posted on 10/26/2010

I agree with kathleen the hormones that are in foods these days do upset the natural hormones in our children today. I think also that if you started your periods early then it is highly likely your daughter will do the same. Both my mother and I started our periods at 10. I will be giving my daughter the chat at 9 so that she is not scared when things do kick off. Just remember that breast buds are normal and just because they are there does not mean a period is iminant.

Kathleen - posted on 10/26/2010

With all the hormones in the food and the petroleum products that are used laundry soaps, shampoo, conditioners and house hold cleaners all have petroleum base to them. Petroleum disrups or enhances the growth hormones. It depends upon the person. I hear this from many moms in school who did not start puberty early themselfs. I do not use any petrolum products in my house hold and we only eat organic meats (when we eat meat) and only hormone free milk or organic milk when we have this. Then there are some girls that just start early. If you or your mother or mother in law had your periods by age of 10 she would be on course. If you had your periods start between 12-15 years of age then she is early. It is hard at an early age to try to have grown up conversation. But you will find a way to discuss this without stress take her lead with the information she is looking for.

Jane - posted on 10/25/2010

http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/sex... is a very informative website. As a person who went through very early puberty, my advice to you is to keep your daughter informed. Answer questions and tell her honestly about what is happening to her body. I felt like a freak when I was young because no-one around me was going through the same. It's scary. Be loving, be patient.

Annie - posted on 10/25/2010

I am the secretary at a K-8 school (and the mother of 2 teenagers). Several years ago at school we had a girl start her period in 2nd grade (8 years old). Last year another girl was diagnosed with "early onset puberty". These girls' bodies are mature, but they are not socially, nor emotionally ready for all that comes with being so "grown up". My advise is to get your daughter in to see her doctor, and also to talk with her about getting her period. She needs to understand and be prepared. It's unsettling enough the first time it happens, but if it's years before your peers it can feel humiliating. Make sure she knows she hasn't done anything wrong. She's just doing it earlier than her friends. Remember to give her lots of hugs!

Joan - posted on 10/21/2010

hi
my daughter also started puberty at age 8. at 10 she had her period. this was hard for her because i don;t think she was emotionaly ready yet,but she did get through it. if you haven't had a talk with her about her period i suggest you do that. our pedi said once they have breast buds the average length of time before their period is 2 yrs.
good luck

Sandra - posted on 10/21/2010

Hi, I have two girls 12 and 10. They both had "buds" since an early age of 8 and the older girl I thought for sure was going to be menstruating by the time she was 10..They are both good sized girls, not chunky, just tall and good shape. My 12 year old now is showing signs of actual puberty, not waiting for the day to come. I was surprised though that when i talked to her about keeping a small pad in her backpack incase of an accident..she said her grade 5 teacher had talked to them about it and that if they needed a pad to go to the lady teachers or office to get help..That i thought was awesome!