Information on Puberty in Girls

Hello,

I actually developed pretty early. I got pubic hair when I was 8 and started getting breast around the same time. Then at 9 my period came. I hope that helps. Good luck!

F.

My daughter started developing breasts around 7-8 yrs old. Pubic hair at 10. She is now 11 and just started her monthly about 5 mths ago. (She turned 11 last Nov.)
She had a major growth spurt last July-Aug gaining about 40lbs. I thought something was wromg but her doctor ran tests and nothing showed. He said girls will often hit a growth spurt just prior to starting their cycle. Although it was a major concern on how much and how fast my daughter grew because she was always skin and bones although tall for her age. Now her weight gain has slowed down a lot and her height is beginning to sprout again. Her breasts have developed quite rapidly since last summer going from a 34B in July 07 to a 38DD in March 08. I myself was a 36C at her age and had gained quite a bit of weight and I started my monthly at age 12. I think girls often follow along the lines of their mothers, but not always. Think back and try to remember when you may have started growing hair and developing. Your daughter may start around the same age.
I am 35 5'4" and 125lbs. My daughter is 11 5'1" and 143lbs. (Her biological father is 6'3" and weight has always been an issue in his side of the family.) I can remember being 140lbs though at age 14.
My advice would be to dicuss it with her doctor, but I don't think you have anything to worry about.

That is normal and has all to do with genetics. Either your side or her father's side has early developers. It is quite possible she could have her first period soon. Has she had her yearly physical with the doctor? She may be embarrassed, but it would be a good time to bring it up & to reassure her that is a normal thing.

My granddaughter was 6 in January and she has a few pubic hairs and the doctor said that is normal. Some girls start their period at the age of 10. My granddaughter has been using deodorant since she was going on four. The doctor said we should get her Tom's of Maine natural deodorant stick and he is not concerned about anything. She did have a test done in Children's hospital to see if she was maturing to fast and they said she is at her age in growth. So we learned we just have to deal with the acne, deodorant and public hairs. The acne really concerns me, since she is so young. She always has pimples on her forhead and chin. Doc says it is all a part of growning up. We just didn't think it would be so soon since I didnt' get my period until I was in 8th grade. LOL

You may want o consider switching to organic milk if your daughter is a big milk drinker.
After hearing some rumors about bovine growth hormones, and girls developing much earlier these days and boys developing a chest of sorts, I started to do some research.

I was VERY skeptical but after MANY searches, it seems that we have a much higher demand for milk and dairy then the generations b/f us, and b/f them and so on. A "mature" cow produces more than a youger one, so to a bovine gorwth hormone is often added.

If you think about it, we get all of our butrients the 1st year of life through our mothers milk, so our children are also getting this gowrth hormone. In turn, girls are "maturing" much younger and little boys are developing as well.

There is no government mandate for labeling milk that contains BGH, so the best bet is to go organic.
I hope this helps!

I know the range of puberty on-set is vast. I have a 14 year old that has not gotten her period yet. I'm hoping her 11 year old sister doesn't get it first, but she may....

the only experience I have is myself... mom of four sons, but I do remember needing a training bra when I was 9 and being embarrassed because I felt like the only one... I had my first period at 10 but sorry, I don't remember about the pubic hair...
although my half sister did not develop until she was almost 16 ... we are both full caucasian

Ho,
I have never knew too much about this early onset of puberty in girls, but i do know my mom was 8 and had her period at 9 yrs old. A friend of mines daughter, was 8 also. I think it may go maturity and too many hormones. Either was omwhow it's normal and niothing to worry about, she will just be young, so "the Talk" about the menstral cycle should be told soon so she doesn't get scared since she is so young yet. I hope this helps, have a nice day. B.

Hi - I started my TOM when I was 9 and I'm now 47 ... so it just may be a natural variation. However, there is some concern that the Bovine Growth Hormone in regular milk may be causing early maturation. Another issue is the soy based infant formula that many parents opt for. Below are some links to sites that deal with the issue of early puberty .. I hope you find some useful information. One thing I will say is the traditional Doctors are usually not open to information not disseminated through the AMA .. but that does not mean it doesn't have validity.

http://www.alkalizeforhealth.net/Lnotmilk12.htm
http://www.health101.org/art_Milk_and_Girls.htm
http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/teensbeforetime.html
http://www.celestialhealing.net/milkpage.htm

That is extremely early, however, I did hear that it is happening to some girls. The reason is all the hormones in the foods these days. Milk and dairy products and meats and eggs that are not organic are packed with hormones and chemicals so the farmers can get quicker results and sell more. I am a mother of 4 and I am just learning all of this. I am so worried about my kids because almost everything now is "polluted" with these hormones and chemicals and antibiotics. I literally just started buying organic milk and my kids like it better! All the organic stuff is so much more expensive, but I am going to try my best because the other foods are so bad for them and us. I also just started reading a book called "Wear your life well" by Marilu Henner. She talks about foods and what they do to your body. My advice would be to look up on the computer and in the book store about the effects of all of the non organic foods. Also, just try from now on to cut it out of your diets.

My 14 year old started getting pubic hair when she was five. She had her first period when she was 9. It took a few more years for her to get it regularly, which she now does. She was also just diagnosed before she turned 14 with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). So I don't know if that had anything to do with her developing so early or not.

My daughter is 8 and hasn't started anything yet. I really don't think any of her friends have either. I think that this might be something to check with your doctor about.
Jen

Dear L.

I would firstly suggest that you consult your pediatritian on this matter. Sometimes early purburty is not a good thing. My son has developed very fine pubic hair and the nurse i go to had made a note to monitor this to ensure that it does continue to become thicker because it may be sign of early puberty and she said that is not good. I don't want to scare you and perhaps i am wrong but i would suggest consulting a doctor on this. Hope this helps.

My daughter will be 10 next month, and she started developing when she was 8 years old, too. She has yet to get her period. I have talked to her about it a lot, so she won't be scared if and when it happens. We did switch to meats without hormones, and milk without hormones when we realized what was happening. Giant Eagle's brand of milk is hormone free. When I spoke to my doctor about this, he said that the time line was roughly one year-body hair, second year-"development", third year-period. We are almost into our third year of this, and still no period. Fingers crossed.

L.,

I started my period when I was 10, I am now a mother of three, none of which are puberty age yet. I had nothing abnormal just an early developer. I was the first of all my friends and continued to be alone in that area for a few years. I think early development is happening more often. I wouldn't worry too much but if you are I would seek the advice of your doctor.

Lots of good responses...just wanted to mention that there is some effect too from race. African Americans tend to "mature" sooner than Caucasians.

My oldest daughter is 9, and flat as a board. She wears deoderant more because she thinks it is "fun" than anything. She just learned about periods in school, and they gave all the girls a panty liner--which she intended to carry in her pants pocket EVERY day until she got her period, LOL! I told her that it likely will be a while, and perhaps she should just keep it in her dresser so that she doesn't accidentally put it through the laundry. I am SO not ready for this!

My fertility doctor once told me that around 90 pounds is the threshold for getting your period. Doesn't matter how old she is...just depends on her weight.

If she were my daughter, I would take her to the doctors and just get a complete physical. 8 is young to be starting puberty.

When they get their first period varies. I was an early developer myself. I got my first period at the age of 10.

While I have no scientific proof, my Mom has a theory that kids are developing earlier now because of all of the hormones in our food. I think she may be right.

At any rate, my 8 1/2 year old daughter is starting to develop as well (although I'm not sure about pubic hair, she is developing a little on top). She also acts at times as if she is PMSing. Although, she has not yet gotten her period (thank goodness), she has needed to wear deodorant for about 2 years.

Good luck and know that she isn't the only one out there.

My daughter is 11 and starting developing around 9. I read a book called Ready, set, grow! : a "what's happening to my body book by Madaras, Lynda. It said that usually 2-3 years after a girl starts to develop is when they get their period. I am hoping that my daughter does not get her period for another year or two. All girls develop at different ages and I have heard of girls beginning to develop at age 8. I also agree with what a lot of people are saying about the growth hormones in the milk and meats.

M.

They are finding that many girls are developing early due to the hormones that are given to cows so that they will produce more milk. These hormones are estrogen related and are in the milk that we buy at the store. I would encourage you to start purchasing organic milk for your daughter to drink. I also recommend buying organic meats because of the hormones and antibiotics that are in them. I do a free program to educate parents on not only the harmful things that are in our foods but in personal care and cleaning products. This program is through the non-profit organization Healthy Child Healthy World. Their web site is www.healthychild.org. Feel free to contact me at ____@____.com if you would like more information about my free program.