Deoderant for Boys??

When my son was eight (is nine now) he gave me a hug and OMG he did not smell too fresh! That's when he started to use deoderant. I don't agree with the gym teacher that everyone needs to use deoderant. When he starts to smell a little funky then by all means use it.

It's going to vary with every child, and some kids are stinkier than others.
Mine started with deodorant at 11 yrs old in the 5th grade.

My son is in 2nd grade and he's been wearing deodorant for about a year and a half....he had a period of time where he was getting really stinky and once I switched to organic milk it never happened again but the deodorant had become part of the routine so it has stayed. We like Tom's of Maine.
I think by 7 they might start getting smelly, but should be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Ugh! One example of why we are considering home schooling our children. Who is this gym teacher to tell your son what he is old enough to do?

I Googled your question and most answers were when puberty starts. If your son starts to smell a little when he's active, I would have him start wearing deoderant. Otherwise, he's probably fine until around 10 yrs or so.

It may be possible that part of PE is also learning about hygiene issues.
When I was a kid, we had to go to a "health" assembly and they handed out samples of things like tooth brushes, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.
Little boys can be really stinky. Trust me, I have one, and there's nothing like a bunch of them running around and getting sweaty.
It doesn't sound like the PE teacher said it was mandatory. If you are morally or otherwise opposed to deodorant for your son, that's your business.
You'll know when he needs it though.

GM,
My son is now 9yrs old, and his father and I have just discovered that he needs to wear deoderant due to his sports. Personally I feel that the parents will know when its time, starting him out in the 2nd grade is way to soon if it's not need. In some cases some kids maturity level and hormones are different. So I'm advising you to allow that decision to made when it's time and between you and you husband. J. F. Houston

Curious to see your responses... as I just had a conversation about this with my husband yesterday. My son's 3rd grade teacher suggested it as part of their personal hygiene. I was a little surprised since they were so young. Granted, the kids are maturing earlier than they did years ago... and some kids do have a spurt of hormones that start before 6th grade these days... but in 2nd and 3rd grade??? I was not thrilled with my son coming home telling me that I needed to buy hims some deodorant at that age. He's 12 now, and I can tell he has an actual NEED for it now, lol. But not when he was 8 yrs old.

I think a kid should start wearing deodorant when you can smell their body odor. I would assume that is different for every child.

I think it really is a personal choice for the family. But, it doesn't hurt when a teacher suggests it. I did my student teaching in a 4th grade classroom, and I remember having to hold my breath when I passed certain students in the afternoon after recess. Whoooo, it was bad. Maybe the PE teacher was making a general comment to all of the students instead of pin pointing one particular student. I've done that before.

My husband has periodically put deoderant on my son's underarms as a novelty in the past. But with the start of this school year (3rd grade) my son has gotten the deoderant out almost every morning and put some on. I haven't noticed him stinking yet, but it can't hurt to get into the habit of putting it on.

My daughter is 7 and she uses deodorant. The Arm & Hammer "Essentials" Natural Deodorant.
She has been using deodorant... off and on since she was about 6 years old. She needed it otherwise she smelled.
And, if I noticed it, I knew others noticed too.
And I didn't want her to get 'teased' or otherwise.
My daughter, has no issues with using deodorant.

IF your son smells... then he needs it.
If not, then no.

all the best,
Susan

Its not a matter of age, but stage --- my daughter was using deoderant that young, because we could ALL smell her! Started with something very gentle, mild, and unscented. I love my girl, but she could really become sweaty and smelly, very, very smelly, ... and I would rather have her teachers and classmates remember her pretty smile and brilliant mind, than her smell... :)

I would question why a 2nd grade boy needs deoderant at 7. As a former PE teacher I also know that body odor kicks in at about 4th grade. Nothing like being in a classroom full of kids that just came from PE (sweating). Sometimes the "Bigger" kids need it earlier but your right it is for the parent to decide. It's a good thing that the PE teacher is teaching hygine as some kids do not get it at home.

I think when they start to stink. And you will know. My son was about 10.

Is he starting to 'smell' bad in the underarms?? If not, I wouldn't worry abt it til he starts to 'smell'. I'd think that'd happen abt puberty time but that's just my thinking.

Whenever they start to smell. Remember that teachers have 15-20 kids in their classes and after recess can be pretty odiferous. :-)

My daughter is 7 and uses deoderant on days she has Gym or hot summer days.

We use the "Tom's" brand deoderant.

As long as there's no aluminum (anti-perspirant) in it, what's the harm? I don't want to be the parent of the 'stinky kid' in Gym. : )

I read the post below about the boy that had some odor issues in the second grade and in that case, it was warranted but my general opinion is that 7yrs is much too young for a child to wear deodorant. Most people don't have issues with body odor until they reach puberty and I think it would be better if you determine when it's necessary for your boy. If he's smelly then it's time otherwise, unnecessary. I don't imagine that this is standard info given to elementary children so if it bothers you, you could let the administration know that the PE teacher is giving some advice to the kids that seems a little mature for their age group. Maybe the teacher also works at a high school and said it by accident?

It is time! Children have different maturity levels, mentally and physically. The parents should appreciate the help from the teacher. How many times were we made fun of, lose friends and be the jest of jokes from other children. If only other teachers cared enough. So, gradually introduce your son by letting him choice his own anti-perspirant and deoderant. This way he does not feel bad about his maturing. My grandson likes a certain kind and if we, women, can choose our own flavor, they can too.

When they start to smell. For my boys, it was about age 11.

I've never told this story to anyone but my mom..When I was in third grade a teacher pulled me aside and told me I needed to wear deodorant in fact they put a deodorizer under my desk. So please save your son from embarrasement and get him some deodorant. BTW I told my mom years later when I was a young adult and she was furious that a teacher would say that to a child o well.

I wouldn't go by age but smell. You definitely don't want another kid at school to notice that he smells because by then, it's too late. Kids are cruel and can easily lower his self-esteem just with a few words (that may just follow him around for many years). As a teacher, my first thought after reading what this teacher said to the kids was that he/she has seen first-hand kids being made fun of and doesn't want to see it again because it's so hard on the kid. My instinct would be to avoid all questions about age and just get him some. It doesn't seem like a big deal to start wearing it before it becomes necessary!

i think seven sounds a little young but considering i started changing at age of eight it might not be so far off. do his pits stink? if so ask his pedi. it might be something else (ph levels). i don't mind when teachers suggest something to me. if you want to do it then its great they bring it to your attention. i would rather them be observant than ignoring my child.

As a Mom/Auntie to 6 boys, I have to 2nd the answer of "when he stinks"!!

My nephew started needing deodorant at an early age probably about the age of your son, but then again my son didn't start needing it until he was 11. I think its your call if you feel your son doesn't need it yet don't do it.

My opinion is he should start wearing deodorant when he needs it.
My son is 4 and I have been putting deodorant on him for about a year now because I noticed that on days when he played a lot outside and on hot days his armpits really smelled bad by the end of the day. I was concerned about putting deodorant on him because he has sensitive skin and his father is allergic to deodorants that contain aluminum which is in many commercial products. I found a natural deodorant called Liken at Whole Foods. It is made from the plant lichen and does not contain any aluminum. I put it on my son every evening after his bath and it does not irritate his skin and it keeps him smelling fresh all day.

Depends on when they need it.

My son is 9 years old and doesn't wear deodorant yet. If he sweats at all that day, he has to take a shower which is every day here in Texas. I have coached basketball camp for a couple of years with 6-8 year old boys and some smell bad and others don't, but the kids didn't even notice at that age. I don't think it's necessary until kids become more aware of peers. I agree with ONLY natural deodorant around 5th grade. I won't start him until it's absolutely mandatory and showers aren't enough.