A few months ago, I started noticing that my 7-year-old had body odor. It got particularly bad when she was sweaty or doing a physical activity. I kinda ignored it for a while, because she's SEVEN and that seemed really young to be having BO, but I finally bit the bullet, took her to the store, and let her pick out some deodorant. I talked to an acquaintance who has an 11-year-old, and she said that was normal, that it seemed all the girls were going through these types of changes at about that age.
Since then, I've noticed a little "fullness" in her chest. I thought maybe it was my imagination- she's very skinny, so maybe that just made her proportions look a little off. But last week she announced that she knew she was going to be a teenager soon because she was "starting to get boobs." OK, so not my imagination.
This was not something I had to deal with personally at least until middle school. and the best I could tell none of the other girls had to deal with it until then, either. What's going on? Is this the new normal? Are girls just going through puberty in the second grade now? Is there some way to stop it?
Definitely read up on "precocious puberty" because there could be a medical reason that is causing it but also know that she is still in the normal range for the onset of puberty... she's just on the early side.
Hi M.,
Yes, there is a way to slow it down. First you have to remove what caused it. That would be, not only the hormones in the milk, but the other synthetic chemicals in her diet and her life. Processed foods and fast foods are riddled with pesticides, preservatives, hormones, antibiotics along with other fillers. They are all synthetic, and just like meds, they contraindicate.
Next she needs a detox. At seven this can simply be a high fiber diet or you can push it and get a natural fiber supplement that will remove the toxins that are in her digestive tract. These toxins continue to be reabsorbed into the blood stream during "normal activity"...
You can also remove the chemicals from your home. She already has too many in her system and removing the bath and body products, the cleaning supplies and the laundry detergents will keep her from absorbing more through her skin. It is the way we get most of our toxins. (Why do you think the pharmaceutical companies now put so many drugs in patch form?)
M., this will not only help with this problem but will also get her healthy enough to prevent a lot of other conditions that will be headed her way. I know it sounds like a lot of work but it is easier than it sounds and it is not expensive if you do it the way I did it. I'll be glad to walk you through what I did...
God bless,
M.
Ugh this make me sad... there are so many hormones and chemicals in our food supplies and it is clearly affecting our kids!
There isn't anything you can do now.... but maybe take her to your doc just incase.
I just hate that we as parents are ok to accept that "girls are developing faster" these days! (and I don't mean you)
This is not normal.... we should all be outragged! Middle school is when this should be happening like it did with all of us!
Anyhow good luck...
I was six when I started wearing deodorant. and 8 when I needed my first bra, every girl developes at a different age.
There's no way to stop it. And yes, I do believe this is normal. My older daughter started with the body odor at around 7 as well. Our dr said it's due to bacteria that lives on the skin and that some toddlers even get nasty cases of BO. Also, my daughter has been in a bra for about 1 1/2 yr no...and she's only 9. She's also starting to get underarm hair as well. Unfortunately, puberty seems to be starting here and it sounds like such may be the case with you as well. ~sigh~
That's when I started. I needed deodorant at 7, a bra around then, maybe 8, and had my period by 10.
I've heard that a lot of girls are developing quicker due to the hormones that fed to cows to make them produce more milk. I was 8 when I started to develop and at age 9 I had to wear a real bra, I also started my period when I was 9 1/2. As far as BO, I think that has to do with a person's personal body chemistry.
I remember reading several other questions like this on here and I believe there are ways to slow it down and it's to the child's benefit to investigate those options. Start with her pediatrician and then I believe you get sent to an endocrinologist.
Hi M.,
A study was does about 3 years ago about this. Here's the link:
http://www.livescience.com/health/070904_bad_puberty.html
This is not uncommon,but it is preventable!! Think back to when we were kids... what has changed?? THE FOOD. Nowadays we have hormones being pumped into food so the chiken breast can be bigger and sell more. We have hormones pumped into cows (that we get our milk from) so they can grow bigger and faster. The food industry does not care if this causes our children to have early puberty.
THe hormones in the food is causing girls to develop younger than years ago. I notice BO in my 4yr old son, so I think at 7 you are probably going to see that type development starting. She is still your 7yr old baby, just her body making her look older due to these chemicals.
Unfortunately, this is a common trend in the U.S. It's called "precocious puberty." There is a lot of info online about it, so you may want to start there. But quite a bit of it has to do w/ environmental factors and chemicals in plastics and our personal beauty products, along w/ hormones injected into our food system via factory farming. Do some research, it's really quite alarming.
Here's somewhere to start:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Early-Puberty-in-Girls
It's totally normal. I don't remember when I needed deodorant but I did get my first bra at 8 and my first period at 10. Just happens early sometimes. Just prepare her for what the 7 year old boys are going to act like... (they won't like them to later) Boys can be mean and dumb at that age. But if your daughter is prepared for what can and will happen (teasing, bra snapping ect.) she'll handle the MAJOR changes going on with her body with a lot more ease. Also don't wait to get her a training bra... Teasing about a bra is easier than teasing about not having one. Good luck!
I heard on NPR this morning that there is a new study out that says girls are going thru puberity much earlier than they were 10 years ago. They blamed it on obesity. But I am not sure I buy the obsesity theory since you said your daughter is thin. My daughter was over weight and it too her forever to grow breast. You are not alone. It is not your imagination. Get her a book on her changing body that is appropiate for her age.
One of the neighbor girls got her period last year at 8 years old! I think this is becoming the new norm.
UPDATE- but i wanted to add, make sure you are only giving her organic milk with no hormones.
take her to the pediatrician to just make sure everything is normal. if it wasnt, you would need to see an endocronologist. usually, doctors can give an estimate as far as how far along they are towards puberty.
i think this can be normal at this age, but at the same time, things like precocious puberty are not, as well as problems with glands or growth. if all is fine, it might be a good time for you to prepare for ways to discuss these changes. the saddest thing is when young girls get their period and then think they cant "play" anymore, or if they feel different because they are the first. its so important for them to know these physical changes are part of them, but not controlling them. good luck
Not "normal" but not bad:) Also listened to NPR -- now 10% of 7-9 yr olds getting breasts and starting to develop, versus 5% 10 years ago.
So, what does a mom do?...
Maybe start with Ped to get "growth curve" timing, and make sure all's OK with her body chemistry... get some deodorant:)... start drinking more water to help with odor (little more each day if your kid's like mine:))... maybe go to organic dairy/meats and start detoxing diet and environment a little at a time (my daughter's 7 and I've just begun this too)... I'm not so granola as to think this is "why" (better diet, more supplements, better healthcare AND THEN chemicals and such)...
And, worst of all, have a frank talk with your daughter about Time and Reality:) My daughter acts like she'll be grown any day now -- gotta deflate that balloon daily/weekly:)
GO MAMA GO!
