My baby is growing up (question about puberty).

[SAHDS]

Last week, DD (9) went to a friend's birthday party for 2 hours. When we gt home, she was sitting on my lap and we were playing on the computer. All of a sudden, I smelled sweat. Well, I asked her to raise her arm and, sure enough, it was her.

So, I went out (while she was in school) and bought her some deodorant and the "Care & Keeping of You" book. She read it in one sitting and then we discussed everything at length for a good 2 hours.

My question, is this the onset of puberty? Should I expect breasts, body hair and menses to be following shortly? Or, is it a slow process? I was a late bloomer, as was DH. Is it normal for DD to be a late bloomer then? I guess I am jut so surprised at this.

Did you LOs begin with body odor? How soon after did everything else happen?

Thanks.

[CarrieMF]

My oldest turned 10 last week. During Christmas break last year she wanted me to wash her hair in the tub & I noticed pubic hair. Apparently she'd had it since before her birthday in November. She is just starting to get the beginning of breast buds. Some of her friends had the beginning of breast buds but no pubic hair.

She went into Grade 5 this year. I do noon supervision & the first week of school I was in her class, 1 girl walked by me OMG did she reak of BO. I'm not talking a litlte BO either, but an adult who hasn't bathed in a week BO. 2 days later she came home saying that her teacher told them they're all getting to the age where they start to smell after gym so they needed to bring Deodorant to school & then he showed them how to put it on.lol

[Porcelain Interior]

I think (I have a 13 year old DD that JUST recently got her first period) that it depends.

When did it happen for you? I think genetics plays a large part in it. So far my oldest is following my pattern, and in our house the BO was the first thing, and then breast buds, and then pretty much nothing for a couple years until the period came.

I don't know about body hair, my daughter has been quite modest since right around 9/10ish so I have no clue. We've talked about it all, read books and she's asked questions.

*ETA: Following the curve of history girls are developing earlier and earlier, so that could factor in too.

[SAHDS]

Thanks. I do remember having the "girl talk" sessions in 5th grade. I was just sooooo behind (physically) that I guess I expected the same of DD.

[SAHDS]

Ugh, stupid computer! Let's try again.

Porcelain Interior - I was a late bloomer. 13-14 for most everything that comes with puberty, although breast buds at 10. DH was late too.

I just want DD to be informed. My mom told me next to nothing, not that I really cared. DD and I, after she read the book, were looking at placentas and talking about mammary glands, LOL. It is amazing to be able to share with her and know that she can come to me with questions. I love being such a big part of her life.

As for girls developing older, I've read quite a bit about that. I've seen the facts about girls growing up w/o a male figure developing a lot earlier. Also, the foods we now eat causing puberty's onset at earlier ages. But, neither relate to DD.

[lindberg99]

My DD started getting BO recently at almost 10.5. I think I read somewhere that BO usually preceeds the start of menses by about a year. My DD really doesn't have too many other signs. She has begun to develop a little but I don't think she has pubic hair yet.

I was super late with starting AF...I was in 10th grade! But I had developed, gotten hair, etc. several years before. So I guess sometimes there can be quite a lag.

[AmandaGRB]

My ds will be 7 on Saturday. About 6 months ago we started to notice the BO. Not just a little, but, adult, manly not had a bath in a week BO. We started having him put powder under his arms. That worked for a while. Last week after gymnastics class he asked me if we could go to the store to buy him some deodorant because he had noticed it in class. So, we went to the store and spent about an hour sitting in the floor smelling all these deodorants. I thought I would pass out from all the fragrance. He finally decided on one, but then he wanted some other "man products" like body wash and shampoo since he was no longer a baby and didn't want to use baby soap. Now, he smells like a man wh*re when he comes out of the shower. He thinks it is great and is very proud of his new "man products" as he calls them.

We haven't noticed any other signs of puberty as of yet.

Amanda

[SabraMamma]

My daughter has had breast buds for a year and very fine pubic hair, but no body odor. I guess different people follow different patterns of what comes first.

[Aubergine68]

My dd started with the body odor at age 9.

I find the regular deodorant doesn't do it for her.

We have all switched to baking soda (mixed with a little body cream) and I am emphasizing that she must apply it every time she changes clothes and after every shower.

Did I smell that bad? I honestly don't remember that I did. Surely someone around me would have said something, someone in my family?

[SabraMamma]

Originally Posted by Aubergine68

We have all switched to baking soda (mixed with a little body cream)

I'm intrigued. What's your ratio of baking soda to body cream?

[SAHDS]

As for deodorant, I went with Tom's (unscented, I believe). It's not an all-the-time thing, though. Today, she doesn't smell at all. Actually, I doubt I would have even noticed the odor had it not been for her sitting directly in my lap. I think she'll just use the deodorant for parties, play-dates and on P.E. days at school; any time she's extremely active.

Thanks for all of the responses so far!

[Ruthla]

Yup, BO is often the first sign of puberty- but her first menses might still be 3-4 years away. Kids go through the stages of puberty at different rates. I started out getting my daughters a crystal deodorant, but they found they liked Tom's of MAine or Trader Joe's brand of solid deodorants better. I've never purchased commercial deodoarant/antiperspirant for them, although that's what I used when I was a teenager (we didn't know about alternatives back then!)

I can't tell you about my daughters' pubic hair because they stopped changing in front of me before it started growing- breast buds are a bit harder to miss.