Help! How Old...

M. - Here is a great scientific study done on pre-pubertal development in girls. Here's one capture that I hope will ease your mind:

First, many in the field would answer “Yes, girls are entering puberty at an earlier age.” Anecdotally, this has been a popular view. In 1997, a controversial article was published indicating that puberty may be initiated earlier in girls than in previous cohorts, perhaps on average between age 7 and 13 years (Herman-Giddens et al., 1997). The study represents a major effort in the field describing puberty. Over 17,000 girls from primarily suburban general pediatric practices were included, with 9.6% being African-American. The girls ranged in age from 3–12 years but not yet 13 in this cross-sectional study.

Cut and paste the link starting at the http://. Leave out the stars.
Hope this helps.
**http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_...

Dear M.:
I have read articles where the growth hormone has to do with what we eat. You find that in almost any protein. We seem to eat more protein than needed.

Please look up info on the internet about too much protein, or effects of growth hormone in food to kids.

My niece also began developing early in age. She still eats a lot of McDonald's breakfast and ready made food like chicken nuggets in a box, like a frozen kid cuisine.

I wish you luck!

C.

I have a 9 year old sister. She happens to be African American (me too!). She has been wearing deodorant for about two years now. No sign of menses yet for her. My mother and I were both 14 and we did not develop physically until well after 16. My little sis's body doesn't seem to be moving along all that fast. No hair or fat deposits :) but she does have a discharge which requires a panty shield. Plus the under arm odor. It's VERY strong. So Mom buys Toms of Maine because it is a more natural product, not as harsh but works well.
My first cousin began her cycle at 10 and had a D cup breast when she began the 6th grade. Every body stared and most people, boys and girls commented. This affected her self esteem so much that years later as an adult she still hunches her shoulders in an attempt to shrink her chest. She too is afro-american. I never made a correlation to race and body development but I think it would be interesting to hear from others!

Hi M.! When it comes to our daughters, we only want the best, I know. Though I am no expert, what I can share with you is what my daughter and her friends have experienced... my daughter is 15. My daughter started about the same time that I did ...and most all other girls we know, "started" about the same time their moms did, too. But, I have known of a few girls who "started" as early as 8; you just have to "warn" them, without scaring them.... Find a cute little make-up case to put a "just in case" kit together (small pad); I got my daughter to carry one under the pretense that she just may be able to help a friend out in case it happened to them, otherwise she would tell me, "MOM... that's gross and I don't NEED to do that." As far as deod. is concerned... there are "teen" deod. out there and my opinion is, if they need it, they should us it! My son started at 8... becuase, well, he needed it!

Hope this helps
R.

My step daughter need deoderant at a young age as well. I think she was around that age too. She still has not started her period and only just started to grow hair under her arms (she is 12 now). I buy Dove deoderant and make sure she showers every day. It seems to have helped. I also just bought her a bra this year for school. But it depends on the child and the body type of the child of what age they start these things.

Good Luck!

M.,
My seven year old daughter has had to wear deaderant, (I buy her the teen ones)I think it is due to the fact that she takes steroids for astma, my 12 year old still doesn't need to use deoderant every day. Hope this helps.
Amanda

well I was about 7,8 when i start sweeting and getting boobs. but i didn't start my once a month vists tell 11or 12, I am not african american at all so I don't think that has anything to do with it. I had a friend that started hers at 9 and she was not eathier. the have some all natural deodertant that are really gentle. Tom's is one you can find at wallmart. but there are also this kind made with salt or something, its called cryisal deodrant, you get it wet then us it. both type are compleatle harmless and very gental. with toms there is a wild yam or something that might tingle a little but that it. I hoped it helped