8 Year Old Going Through Puberty

This doesn't sound like puberty. Especially since it's in one breast and keeping her awake all night. Does she have night sweats or any other symptoms? And anyone can get tumors, cycsts, and cancer at any age as well. Take her in as soon as possible.

The pain you're describing makes me wonder what's going on. Definitely take her to a dr.! Keep us updated.

I think it's a good idea to go ahead and have her seen. Even though she's probably just beginning puberty, there have been very rare cases of young children getting breast cancer even before they have breasts. I don't mean to be an alarmist. It's just better to be safe than sorry. I'm sure she's just fine.

It's reeeeally normal in many families for the beginnings of puberty to start around 8 or 9. (In ours, almost everyone hits late, but 2 or 3 out of each generation hit early). It tends to be a much slower process. Her period may not start for a few years.

HOWEVER

I would absolutely take her to the doctor. It could be a cyst instead of breast buds, or it could be an inflamed or infected duct (even boys get mastitis, although rare). Better safe than sorry.

It's most likely a breast bud. If she's 8, they won't really do anything about it because it falls into the normal puberty age range (which starts at 8). My daughter had a breast bud and body odor at 7. When I took her in THEN, they docs all freaked out and did a bone age test on her to make sure she didn't start early puberty, etc. Then when she was 8, I asked them again because she seemed to be developing so rapidly. But they said, no no it's completely normal at 8. So at 7 they freak out, but at 8 it's considered normal. As it turns out, my daughter wasn't starting early puberty, although now at 10, she has hair everywhere, actual breasts, her period, is FULLY going through puberty. It runs in our family on both sides, so we're not really concerned at all. I would certainly touch base with her doctor and see if they're concerned. But most likely it's nothing to worry about.

You need to take her to the Doctor.
Do not assume.

Probably puberty, but I'd add to the chorus of take her to the doc, better safe than sorry.

And in the meanwhile I'd give her information and ibuprofen!

(And my sympathy-- I started my period at 10, being an "early bloomer" SUCKS!)

I'd have her checked just to be sure. Probably totally normal, if earlier than you expected. My SIL got her periods at 9 and she's in her 60's now so this is nothing new. Lots of things can start puberty but since it's tender and on just one side, I'd check it. Might be a cyst needing attention. Doubt it though.

I would definitely have it checked out by her pediatrician. It will put both of your minds at ease. Good luck!

Yes you should take your daughter to the pediatrician.

Why would you assume an 8 year old is going through puberty? I personally feel puberty shouldn't "arrive" until at least 12 years old.

You can give her and you peace of mind by going to the pedicatrician.

Many blessings to you and your daughter.

My daughter hit puberty at 9, and your daughter's experience sounds like my daughter's. It dies get better.

Give the child some Midol when she is feeling like that. My friend that I worked for as her nanny for several years is a Masters degreed nursing professor and that is what she did nearly every day. Her kids would be back to normal kids a few minutes later and it was wonderful.

Take her to the doc, even kids can get breast cancer as far as I know.

I can certainly second Ginny's post!!!

My great aunt started her period at 8 yrs old [passed away @ 78yrs old]! My mother was 9 [currently 55]. I was BARELY 10 [32]. And my aunt [mom's sis] was barely 11 [53].

It's not all that "new"... It's that women didn't talk to the public [incl. Dr's] about WHEN things happened to them. Mom's to daughter's and vice versa... Sure. But no one else ever knew.

I would take her in just in case. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

ONE Motrin [200mg] will ease swelling and pain. My daughter is 8 and 50lbs and that's what I was advised by her pediatrician for fevers or severe pain. No more than one per 8hrs. And you can alternate ONE 325mg Regular Strength Tylanol.

Hi S.,

Puberty can start this early, especially now a days....
Also, I hate to sound negative but I had a cousin (not a friend of a friend) who actually developed breast cancer while in middle school. I know she's a bit older than your daughter BUT please, please take her in to see a doctor. So if it is something that needs to be done, it can be asap. It's always better to be safe than regretful.

Hope it all turns out well!

My daughter also started puberty at age 8, breasts, underarm hair, wearing deodarant, leg hair too even. And she wasn't the only one. I talked to other mothers only to find out that they were experiencing the same thing with their daughters. Children are starting puberty earlier and earlier now. I asked another parent at my daughter's school who is a pediatrician, and she stated that parents are coming to her all the time alarmed that their child is starting puberty at such a young age. She says 8 years old is normal now. Studies are done every 10 years to see where the puberty starting age is at, and she says that every time the study is done in the last several decades, puberty is starting younger and younger :-(

I would suggest switching to organic food. Why? Because too much food out there is loaded with hormones. This could be the reason an 8 yo is possibly hitting puberty before she knows the meaning.
Any lump I would definitely have checked out. It's probably scaring her which would make anyone an emotional mess. After that, monitor the food she eats. Even milk. If you want to look into raw, unpasteurized dairy and healthy cuts of meat, let me know.