My 8 year old is developing breast buds - Page 2

[hermionesmum]

Serenbat,
I don't dispute that we should be vigilant to our environment for factors which could be harmful but I have to say that I feel very strongly that, unless she has cause for complaint, I will NOT be getting a medical evaluation for my child because she's developing breast buds at age eight.

I'm one of (I'm sure many) mothers on this board who came while pregnant and looking for philosophies which were more respectful of women than the medical model. I want my daughter to become a confident young woman who is able to trust her instincts and, in general, take responsibility for her own health.
I don't think running to the doctor at the earliest indication she's entering a normal part of her development is conducive to developing that confidence.

[LynnS6]

Originally Posted by pregnant@40

I'm a mom to a boy, but just wanted to say that it's absolutely scary how early girls are now developing. My niece got her period at age 10. TEN!!!

I'm 44. I had full blown breasts by age 10, and menstruated just after 11. That's the pattern in our family. I had size 10 feet (in women's) by age 10. Try convincing shoe clerks that no, you really did need a size 10!

Normal development (and 10 is definitely within the range of typical) is not something to be scared or sorry about. I fully expect my dd to be menstruating by 10 or 11. Part of it is increased nutrition, part of it is her body type (she's in the 90th percentile for height and weight). I believe that menstruating right around 100 lbs is pretty typical. Dd is 40 lbs away but gains about 6-10 lbs. a year. So, age 10 would be about right.

I'll be a little sad when dd develops breast buds (I expect 8 is probably when it'll happen) because it's the beginning of the end of her childhood. That makes me nostalgic.

[serenbat]

I will NOT be getting a medical evaluation for my child because she's developing breast buds at age eight.

I know a girl that started at 7 1/2- her hormone levels increased so fast, she developed other issue too and her parents were grateful they did the testing. To each their own.

I don't jump at the slightest little thing and run but there are some issue that do warrant attention.

[carfreemama]

Another "oldie" at 42 who started menstruating by at least age 10. I wish I could remember exactly; but what I do remember is that 2 months before my 11th birthday, I was in the hospital for skin graft surgery. I did not have bathroom privileges. I was in an adult hospital and told the nurse I had my period. "No you don't," she said. She left me there and refused to get me a pad. A couple of hours later she came back, saw blood all over the sheets and said "oh, look at that, I guess you really do have your period!"

I still remember that. I can't remember when it actually started, but it must have been happening for enough months that I felt very casual about it (until that point, mind you). I'm hoping it wasn't even earlier than that, only because I've heard there's a higher chance of things like breast cancer in women who started menstruating young. OTOH, I've also heard if you start menstruation earlier, you enter menopause late; which in my case is good, since I'd like another baby.

As for the breast buds, I don't remember a time in my childhood when I didn't have them. They happened REALLY young and so did the other stuff, right down to the great big feet (now size 12) when I was a kid.

It WAS a bit hard; but I also had other things going on, like severe burns and braces, so I didn't need anything else to make me stand out.

FWIW, if it happens with dd, I don't intend to tell her she needs to change her clothing or wear a bra or anything. I'll try to find a way to let her know what options are out there and maybe that others might think she "needs" a bra, just to give her a heads-up so she won't be embarrassed. I don't know. I do want her to know she can still be a child when she starts to develop, for as long as she wants. I wish someone had said something like that to me. Just because I was menstruating and wore a C-cup didn't mean I wanted to be a teenager. I wanted to be a kid.

[EdnaMarie]

I got breast buds at nine, period at 13, and I am now an A cup after two kids. That was normal for my very typically developing family, and we aren't large or anything, either. We ate healthy food, not much meat or dairy at all at that time (being poor).

So I just want to reassure you that even if she's early, she may not be noticeably so.

[LuxPerpetua]

I got my period right at 11 so I don't find age 10 to be early either (I'm 29). With that said, I was still a "kid" until age 13 or so. I still played and refused to wear a bra (until I finally got embarrassed enough by people's comments). I don't think menstruation has to necessarily "end" childhood. There can be a transition. As with any "change" in our children it does always take some getting used to for the parents. In my head, my dd will always be 2 years old.

[jenhill]

Can someone please explain to me what exactly is a breast bud?

[RubyWild]

When I was living in Europe, I remember a girl on the beach who was transitioning into puberty and how she and her mom were topless and just walked around comfortably and casually around everyone, even her father and brothers. That was the first time I noticed it, but it was something I witnessed in many countries.

I aspire to that, to giving my Dd room to feel at ease. Obviously, in our culture, she can't go topless, but, otherwise, we will not try to hide the outline of her body unless she asks for something special.

When she was five, we looked into a karate class, and he said that the girls wear a camisole under their clothes. When I asked, he said it was because women have breasts. We skipped that school of karate.

[Danz4me]

I don't know if this is still going on...but I was alerted to buds last night. I am sad, because my baby is soo immature, she calls the sun Mr. Sun and the moon Mr. Moon..she is 8 years old.  She is about 4'2" and weighs a slim 56 pounds. My sister told me to bring her to the doctor just to make sure she's on track. I talked to her about her body and she is so silly and immature I don't know how to get thru this. She watches sprout tv and only likes movies with animals...ugh...I just wanted to share that with someone....thanks for listening...