Looking for Advice - Lake in the Hills, IL

Hi D.,
Nothing to worry about. My daughter and most of her friends at 9/10 are all experiencing this. The doctor recommended DOVE as an antiperspirant and deoderant at this age.

Waxing is great, if you and she are okay with it so you have to do it less often, other wise, the get her a razor with a good guard.
Good Luck!L.

Hi D.~
I was that kid who had pubic hair when I was nine, way before any other girls did. And while I felt very different and even embarrassed about it, my mom did a good job of reminding me that it was a part of growing up, and I was just growing up faster than the other girls.
I don't think she will be scared about it, as long as you have several talks about maturing and all that goes along with it. I say several, because she will probably come up with a few questions after the first talk!

Hi D., she will not be afraid if you talk to her about what is happening to her. Girls do mature in those areas earlier than we did. There is also a good book at Border's that will teach you and her and you about this. I am sorry I am sorry I forgot the name of the book, but Border's knows exactly what book when you explain the situation. I bought the book for my grandaughter. I like Secret deodorant I believe it is a good dedorant for children, but you can ask her Doctor to recommend a good dedorant because she is young. I have a set of twins they are grown now, but they started everything early. They started their menstrual at nine, so watch out.

Honestly I don't know what you think she will be afraid of? My girls have often asked about the reason I shave and why I have hair on my privates and I explained that as we grow up we get hair in different places and that they will too. Simple. They are always looking to see if their breasts are growing yet or if they have hair on their legs.

Just explain to her that she is growing up and needs to wear deodarant like mommy. No need to deal with the hair right now, but just explain that she will get hair just like you have.

My mother actually started her period when she was eight years old. Her mother helped her with taking care of herself and that was that.

It will be fine and as long as you treat it like no big deal then they will be fine too.

Girls (and boys!) seem to just be maturing earlier and earlier. She doesn't need to be scared....just have a special talk with her and maybe a special "women's" day out to celebrate her maturing....

The only reason she would feel it's something to be "afraid of" is if you indicate that. It's just part of growing up, just like learning to walk, losing a tooth, and getting your period. It should be celebrated as a positive step in becoming a healthy adult. (It's a bit of a drag to deal with some things really young, but just keep it positive and add some humor).

Get an electric razor. She can do it herself without without risk of cuts. When she's a bit older, she can use a disposable razor on her pits on the shower.

Also, start talking to her about her period (that may come early too). My oldest daughter was so happy when she got hers, because we had talked about it so positively. Her attitude about it will probably change, but puberty is never something to be afraid of. Good luck.

While I do not have experience doing this to someone else... I remember my mother teaching me how to shave and all that. Obviously, you probably will not let her shave herself though.

I remember her talking about it for a couple of weeks telling me that I would soon have to start shaving. Then she had me come and watch her shave in the bathroom while she was bathing. She eventually let me try it out on her and I got to see how it "tickeled" her and did not hurt.

My sister is going through this also, legs- underarms and private area also... her daughter is only 8 though (she has a Drs appt next week). She is starting the talking about it phase now as well as having her watch and answering all the questions she has. Her daughter is actually excited- especially about the wearing pretty smelling deodorants and the cool shave gels.

Two things I would avoid are the hair removing lotions and chemicals. I know with my skin I have ended up with blisters and chemical burns... and I use the sensitive one! The other one is the one with the pads that you rub the hair off.... you also rub the skin off too! My sister and mother have both tried these on thier legs and facial hairs. My mother had "road rash" on her upper lip and her one leg- she never got done with the other one. The stuff is like a fine sand paper! I do not know how some people do it!

Good luck and many blessings to you and yours!

Denise,

My daughter also has started to get pubic hair and she is only 7! I thought it was early at this point, but realize her body is changing. She discovered it at bathtime and I told her that it is normal and she will get more.

I also have heard that the American Girl has a book out on the body changing and it is a very positive thing to use. so, when I know what my husband's job situation will be I plan to purchase it, but in the meantime I plan to borrow it either from the library or a friend.

Unfortunately, it is just another sign that my "baby" is growing up right before my eyes. But I want to keep it a positive change and not make her ashamed of it.

Good luck to you!

L.

Hi D.. I would definitely agree with a lot of the other moms. I could understand the need/want to shave under her arms, but probably not on her privates! It may make her feel like she needs to get rid of the hair because there's something wrong with having it there.

This is pretty normal nowadays because tons of hormones are put in our chicken and other meats to help them mature faster (to sell more & quicker) and then we eat this so it is making our 10 year olds look like 16 year olds! Feeding our kids organic or at least natural, farm raised (not caged), grain-fed meat is a lot better, healthier, and safer for them and won't let all those age-maturing hormones in their systems. Yes, it does cost more but I would rather sacrifice our menu for our babies health & well-being!

You can find meat & deoderant at Whole Foods or Trader Joe's that is all natural or preferrably organic. Anti-perspirant clogs your pores and can cause all sorts of really bad things...it prevents toxins from coming out of your body, which is one of the reasons that we need to sweat and most have aluminum in them,which has been proven to cause things such as Alzheimer's and can mess with the part of your brain that makes you think rationally, etc. - point is, BAD STUFF!

Anyway, sorry for the long-winded advice. I've learned so much and just want to share with other mamas to keep their little ones safe & healthy. Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions/concerns or just want to learn ____@____.com of luck and take care. :-)

Some girls just mature faster than others. Im sure if you talk to her about it so wont be scared its just normal my daughter got her period at nine. I remember feelin so bad that she had to deal with it so early. She is twelve now and definatly has the body of a woman. People think she's 17 or 18 She shaves and uses deoderant no big deal. I had to go through a lot of deoderants to find one that didnt give her a rash. Its called JASON and its all natural organic I get it at dominics. Im sure if you talk to her she will be fine. Good Luck!

why would u want to get rid of it? just explain to her that every girl's body goes through changes and it is perfectly natural. making a big deal out of it may only lead to your daughter possibly feeling ashamed of her new body. Good luck...

I'm not sure why you thing you should get rid of it and why she would be scared. Getting hair is a normal part of body function - I think she would only be freaked out if you act like there's something to be freaked out about. Some girls do develop earlier than others. I would just let it be and have a little big of the "how the body changes" talk with her. Take a nonchalant attitude about it and she'll take her cues from you. If you start acting like she needs to get rid of it at such a young age, it might create shame for her.

I had an electric shaver for my legs and underarms when I was younger =- probably for safety reasons, now that I think of it. As for deodorant, I would opt for one that does not have an antiperspirant - she doesn't need it and it just has more chemicals. I really like the mineral crystals but if she wants something scented then I like the Toms of Maine and Nature's Gate brands. All of these are deoderant only.

Why would getting hair scare her? You could help her shave under her arms and use deodorant...."JUST LIKE MOM...."
This seems to be a trend starting to mature early....
Try a milk without hormones...It costs more but might slow effects...Also lots of physical activities...Girls in gymnastics or running clubs often mature later due to the excess physical activity..Good luck!D. J