My Daughter Is 10 and I Think She's Going Thur Puberty!!

I recommend these books:

Period: A Girl's Guide

http://www.amazon.com/Period-Girls-Guide-JoAnn-Loulan/dp/...

and

The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls

http://www.amazon.com/Care-Keeping-You-American-Library/d...

Both are excellent.

food is full of hormones. if she was not on organic diet, everything is possible. to make or not to make a big deal out of it is a personal choice. I’ve known moms who just brought the pack of pads or those who threw parties to celebrate the new development. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. Basic hygiene and respect for her body and privacy should be enough info at this age.
Good Luck
V.

I am so sorry - my daughter was 11 and it just is too young. Have you removed dairy and meats that are not organic, without hormones, from her diet?

On another note do NOT let any doctor give her any Gardasil shots for the HPV virus. There are so many reactions happening from these shots and it is a crime that doctors are pushing it on young girls. If you want more information on it, go to www.nvic.org or www.mercola.com or ask me and I'll send you more.

Girls do go through puberty at earlier ages on average. Puberty means secodary sexual characteristics develop - breasts, hair growth, increased testicle size, voice changes. Most girls need to be 90 pounds to have a period. I have seen patients who are 90 lb at 6 yo!!
Regardless of weight, all girls and boys need to be taught about the body and basics on reproduction by around 8yo. This may seem early to some, but if you want the facts to come from you and not from friends, tell your kids first. Go to the bookstore. Get books about puberty and "Where did I come from?" or similar basics about reproduction. You do not have to go into incredible detail, but make it age appropriate. By 2-3yo, kids need to know the proper names for body parts and that girls and boys are different. By 4-5yo, no opposite sex parent naked with the kids around and teach about privacy, good touch and bad touch. By 5-6yo, talk about grown ups who love each other and become a family (not sex, just relationships) using yourselves and aunts/uncles or someone getting married as an example. By 8yo, most kids will ask where babies come from. Basic answers like "from two grown ups who love each other" are ok initially, but you have to get into the body mechanics and the period talk for girls before it happens so it is not scary.
Oprah had a show on this last spring with a psychologist who had the puberty and sex talk with a 10yo girl and her mom on the show. It was very detailed for an 8yo, but great for 10. It did get into masturbation which was a bit controversial, but it was very good. Maybe you can find a reference online at her website.
Good luck with the talk - better late than never! For any younger kids you have (or everyone else reading) please start earlier. Don't be like some of the parents of teenage patients I see who have all kinds of questions because their parents never took the time. It's a doctor's job to help if puberty is too early or too late, but not our job to teach the birds and bees to your kids!

I hear of so many kids nowadays getting their periods earlier and earlier. A friend of mine has a daughter who is 10 and yes she just started her period. I just wonder if the hormones they are putting in our milk supply is causing this.

Oh I started when I was 9..the boobs started popping out around then too. Some people just start early. Luckly my mom told me about my period so I was not scared when it happend. Believe me just get it out and tell her. It's better that she learn the FACTS from you and not what kids are saying in school...and believe me they are talking about it alrady...by the time I was 12 kids would say the dumbest things about sex. And my first day at jr high ...6th grade at my school...there was already a pregnant girl there i think she was 8th grade but still.
It's better to inform her now.

Hi L.,
I was shocked when my daughter got it at 10 years old - 5th grade. She had been complaining about stomach discomfort, so to be on the safe side, I had the talk with her. A couple of days later, she was spending more time in the bathroom and when I asked her if she was ok, she said she was fine. I got curious and I went through the trash can and saw a bloody pad. When I asked her if she had started her period and why she didn't ask me for help with the pad she said, "Mom, the directions are on the box." We laughed and was proud of how independent she was becoming. Don't worry. She'll be fine. They are smarter than we think. Schools have a health class that helps prepare them with the basic information. That happened shortly after she started her period, which was helpful. I was happy to have been the one to talk to her first. Good luck!

It is happening earlier, and earlier these days. There is a great book called, "The Care and Keeping of You". It is An American Girl Doll Store Book. You can buy it on Amazon, as well. It is clear, straight forward, casual, and factual. My daughter and all of her friends got it this summer - and I have not found one kid or parent that didn't think it was appropriate, and helpful. My daughter and her friends are 10 & 9.
K.

Just going to throw this out there, my mother got her first period at the age of 10, and that was in the 60s! I had mine at 12, along with many of my classmates at the time. Ten is definitely early, but not abnormal!

Hi L.-

Last year I was on a 4th grade field trip and one of the girls on the trip asked me if I had a pad. She told me that 4 of the girls in the 4th grade had started their period! My mom was 9, so it really does vary! I gave my daughter the book "The Care and Keeping of You" by American Girl. It is a fabulous book and covers so many issues, in a way young giirls understand. After she read the book she & I spent the night in a nice hotel, with pools & slides, and we talked about bodies, puberty, pads, all that kind of stuff. I pretty much let her lead a lot of the discussions. She had a lot of questions and I didn't want to scare her off, just be there for her and make sure that she had the right information, and was prepared. We would talk for a bit, then go downstairs & swim & play. Then go back upstairs again. It really was a fun experience, and she appreciated the casual atmosphere.

Good Luck!

she could absolutely be getting her period. talk to her pediatrician about it - like today.
and you sit down with her and talk - like today. never easy and never a good time, so just do it today. she's gotta be a little scared at this point so it'll be good for her to know that her mom both supports her and understands

Kids these days are getting it younger and younger. My little sister just got hers... if your not ready to have the entire TALK with her then you should just talk to her about what's happening right now.
I hope I helped out just a little!!
GOOD LUCK!!

Unfortunately, it is possible for you daughter to start at 10. My family has a history of starting very young (the youngest was 8) so we tend to prepare them a little early by explaining how you want to keep clean, this is what you should carry, how many times to change and giving them wipes. When I explained it to my daughter she cried because she didn't want to grow up, but I'm glad she was prepared and we had the items on hand so that it wouldn't be so frightening to her. Your doing great by asking and being concerned but be positive with your daughter and tell her it's all a matter of growing up and being a fantastic woman.

I have known a few girls who started at age 9! It's quite possible she has started. You need to tell her about the birds and bees now! Age 9 is when I told my girls, and most of my friends told their kids then too. There are books made for kids that you can show her, or just tell her the basics, as I did with my kids. It's really not that hard once you get going!

I was barely 11 when I started 42 years ago. None of my three daughters started that early. It is definitely possible to start at 10. Good luck with the talk. There are several good books around. We used the one found at Chinaberry.com.

HI L.,
My cousin started at 9 years old. Maybe take your daughter for a check up. If it did start you just have to be honest and tell her exactly what's happening so she's prepared. Maybe the doctor can recommend some books too.

Good luck.

She doesn't need to know all the facts now. All she needs to know about is that girls have periods once a month this has something to do with having babies later. Trust me she needs to understand about herself before understanding what a guy does and then what a guy does with his thingy to a girl. Simply tell her about the period thing she doesn't need tampons for at least 6 months to a year from now. Let her know if she has any questions you are their to answer them and leave it at that. In 5th grade they show the period movie and if you think she is ready to here what happens to boys (wet dream) then tell her about what boys are going through. I would wait till 12 or 13 to tell her where his thingy goes. That is quit a gross thing and it helps having them older to make the understanding sexual behavior thing more understandabe. Just always be open and answer her questions but only her questions untill she is ready for the whole facts. It's really alot to take in and they're minds are so young and clueless. Good luck. J.

Yes, it is possible. I started at 10 years,one month. If your daughter is developing breasts and has armpit hair, the time has come for the talk. Puberty is determined by the percentage of body fat. Children are eating more fat calories in the last 80 years and the average age of puberty has dropped from 15 to 12. I grew six inches between 9 and 10 and so did my sister even earlier. Ask your doctor or your librarian for books on how to give the talk. My mother did it just in time or I would have freaked as the school didn't do the film until sixth grade and I was already a veteran of the monthly visitor for a year before that. Also buy some nice pads and show her how to use them with her panties. Products are so much nicer now. If she is into swimming, and the doctor okays it, then give her a pack of tampons too. They have very small ones for teens. If your daughter does not have breast or hair development, then you need to take her to the doctor for some blood tests to check for hormone levels. Sometimes girls can be exposed to hormones in food or products that will cause problems. Good luck.

L., it is possible that she is starting her period. I am 27 now and I too started my period when I was 10.

Yep! Could be her period. My mom talked to all of us about it when we were nine. Didn't want me or my sisters to start bleeding and freak out if it happened early. I say get that talk going quick!

-M

Hi L.,

Please please talk to your daughter about the basics of what is going on with her. I started my period at nine in fourth grade. It started with brown spotting and then Wham!

I had no clue what was going on with me and it was very scary. My mom handed me a box of kotex and said "You're a woman now."

I am thirty-nine so this was not the time when everyone was concerned about hormones influencing growth. Sometimes it just happens. Along the years I have met several women who were my age when their periods came along as well.

Your daughter should be old enough to understand the simple biology of her body. I would give her the basics and go from there by answering what questions follow.

Good luck.

C.

My daughter is also 10. She hasn't spotted yet but she is developing her chest and I've heard about eight year olds getting their period so I'm sure it's possible. Give her a panty liner(and one to carry) just in case.

It is possible that she is starting her period. I've heard girls as early as 9 getting their periods. When I asked my doctor about it, she said that all the hormones in foods in the last 20 or so years have contributed to this rise in early menstruation. I'd go and see her pediatrician to check. But I don't think you should be alarmed. Just talk to your daughter about what may be happening.

Hi L.,
Yes, it sounds like your daughter is starting her period. I was 10 when I got my period but mine was very heavy (lasting for 7 days) and came every 21 days for the first 2 years. At least I did not have any cramps to speak of. It was not fun but it was a fact of life and it was about this age that my older sister talked to me about it. Noone explained the birds and bees to me at this age and if they would have I probably would not have understood it anyway.
My suggestion is to teach her how to handle it, teach her to be prepared and to wash any soiled underwear immediately. She is a young lady and must be taught properly how to take care of her period. Congratulations, Mom!

Yep... the children are entering puberty earlier now because of all of the hormones in the meat and milk and the junk that is put in to our foods. Welcome to the SAD.. standard american diet. Seems to me that I remember my school giving us the talk, but I went to private school and they might not do that anymore for liability sake. Tell her what is going on with her body and be open and honest with her. She will probably only want the facts at this age and to know that she's not dying!! I remember girls in my class thinking they were going to bleed to death.

First of all, please do NOT talk to her
about the birds & the bees.

Save that talk for the next time you go to the natural history museum, or while watching a nature show on PBS.

Yes. Girls this young are entering puberty these days.
Lots of reasons.
It sounds like you didn't prepare her for this experience ahead of time. She may be worried, even frightened.

You need to explain to her that this is normal.
There are some wnderful books at the library to help you with this. Also, there are products designed to feel (relatively) comfortable so she won't need to worry
about staining her clothes.

It's not necessary, yet, to do the entire life cycle story. It IS necessary to help her grasp
that this happens to every young woman;
that it means her body is beginning to change
from a girl to a woman.
Also, give her a preview of what other changes
will be happening.

Good luck.

S.

My daughter was 10 when she got her period. Her breasts had started to develop, but she had no body hair. I was as surprised as you. Luckily I had already explained the birds and the bees to her. I rec. The book called the care and keeping of your body.

Hey L.,
Does she show any other signs of development such as: darkening hair on the legs, stinky underarms, breast buds, oilier hair, acne, slight weight gain, etc?
This will be the biggest indicator that she is going into puberty. However, if she is just spotting, and none of the above is happening, there may be something else going on such as a tear in the hymen from impact, etc. If this is the case you may want to take her to an ob/gyn to get her checked to be sure it isn't anything serious.
As for ways to talk to your doctor there is a great book by The American Girls called "The Care and Keeping of You". The book is written for young girls and is a great go-to resource for them and would be a great thing to read together with a parent.

Ask the Pediatrician.
My friend's Daughters, started about that age. She said her daughter's friends, did too.

A good book series is the "American Girl" books (such as: The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls (American Girl Library) (Paperback))-... which has topics about girls bodies etc., and it is in a fun, non-intimidating/non-scary way. It is made to be read along with the Mom too. And it is for this age.
You can find it at any bookstore, or on www.amazon.com and read the reviews there.

All the best,
Susan

I got my first period when I was 9 same as my grandma had in the 1930's. While I do agree that we have no idea the side effects of the SAD and puberty I don't think this is all that uncommon... at least it has not been in my family.
Talk to her but still in age appropriate language... good luck mama! P.

L.,
You would be surprised how many girls start their periods at ages 10 and 11. My MIL started when she was 9. I was worried my daughter would, but she started a month before turning 12. She was in elementary school still finishing her 6th grade year. I was worried, but it seems more and more girls are starting earlier. There are many reasons why we think they are, like hormones in our food, etc., but it doesn't change that they are starting. It may not be a normal period for quite awhile. You may want to start her with pantiliners just in case and see from their. Mark it on the calendar and wait for next month too. My daughter's period didn't regulate for about 4 - 6 months, then we had the opposite problem a couple of years later, her periods were coming every 2 weeks.
I do feel they are so young, but it is inevitable if it wants to start. Good luck and consult your pediatrician.
~~D.

To start that is very scary. I actually started my period when i was 9! It was the worse experience ever because my mom never told me anything about puberty since i was so young im sure she never immagined having to talk to me at that time. Please talk to your daughter NOW!, no need for sex talk but yes the why and how to take care of it. It would really help, Trust me!. I cant immagine how hard it can be to see your baby go through this at such a young age. This is my fear as well i also have a daughter and am scared that she might get it as young as I did. If you can get back to me of how you overcame with the talk or atleast how I should get prepared if needed. Just give her as much support since im sure she will be the only one in her class. Talk to her teacher let her know just in case she has cramps or maybe an accident. I never really knew why I got my period so young. Hopefully your daughter has better experience in school than I did since I was clueless of what my body was going through. Much luck L..

I started when I was 10 also and I'm 51 now!! It's pretty normal but requires a little more work. My Mom had also started early so she was sort of prepared as much as she could be. She helped by explaining to me in a way I could understand and didn't make a huge big deal about it so that I wouldn't feel abnormal or embarrassed. My oldest daughter also started at 11 so I was prepared as much as I could be. I just tried to make it a normal "growing" up transition, and provide her all the education she needed as well as opening the door for open honest conversations for the future. She is 23 now and she has always felt comfortable talking to me about everything even sometimes TMI things!!

You'll do great!!

My mother started at 9, (she is 64) so it is not just now a days. Although I have heard that things like the hormones in milk and such are contributing to earlier puberty. I suggest you talk to her right away and get some books if needed. If her period does not really start you should probably have her seen by a Dr. to see why she is spotting.

Hi L.,

Puberty is a long, drawn out process. Most people don't realize that the process begins several years before the first visible signs are noted. Because of hormones commonly added to food, the average age for puberty onset is now 9 years old (used to be closer to 11yrs 30 years ago). Overweight children are likely to begin earlier than children who are of a "normal" weight or underweight (estrogen is stored in adipose [i.e fat] tissue).

Some spotting this early is not that common, but also not necessarily a reason for concern, either. She may start and stop spotting for several years before her normal pattern emerges. Depending on her weight, activity level, and genetics, this could be anywhere from age 12 to age 17.

Your daughter will probably start noticing some other signs soon, too. These will include breast tissue budding, which can be very tender and go up and down for a while, development of pubic and underarm hair, change in voice pitch, and increased perspiration and body odor.

I suggest you go to a local library and find a good book on the subject geared for preteens or young teens. The library may even have a good science vido on the subject. Sorry, I can't give you any recommendations. I drew on my own clinical knowledge to educate my kids. The discussion was a lot more uncomfortable with my son than my daughter -- at least as far as my son was concerned! LOL! Also, both of my kids got health/sex education in public school starting in the 4th grade, but that was in N. California. I don't know how the LAUSD handles it.

I got my period at 11. and that was 30 yrs ago. I have heard that hormones in milk/meat are causing girls to start earlier. I feel bad for your daughter. who wants that? I still hate having my period.

Hi L.,

My daughter started spotting at 9 or 10 years old and we all thought she would begin her period at that point. She spotted again a few times over the next few years but really didn't get a full blown period until just before she turned 13. Puberty happened kind of gradually. There are wonderful books in the library that help to explain it all to both parents and kids and they offer a great way to talk about it together. You know what your daughter is comfortable with. I would go through the books myself until you find a way for you to comfortably talk about it with her. As parents we're often more nervous about the whole thing than they are. When we can discuss it all matter of factly that's the way they see it -- as a part of life and a part of growing up, little by little. Good luck. It's probably just a part of the process of starting to go through puberty.

L.

I started when I was 10 yrs old. My Mom had just told me about the menstral thing. I gasped but didn't panic. When I had kids of my own I used books to help me out with the birds and the bees issue.