Puberty in Girls

No I dont believe its too early my Best Friend had her period at 9. My Dr is telling me that my daughter is started to have breasts as well shes 7!! IMS OOOO nervous scared if she is!!!

That age is not too young to start puberty. I started growing breasts around age 6 and had full breasts by your daughters age, and I also got my period before age 10. I had what the doctors called precocious puberty, and I needed lots of tests to make sure I was not growing up too fast. I don't think your daughter has this problem, though. You said she is just starting to grow breasts, which I think is fine for age 9 1/2. If you are concerned, speak with her doctor.

I would only get her a training bra if she seems interested in such a thing. You don't want to broach a subject that she wasn't even thinking about and cause her some embarrassment.

Just to chime in on another option: my daughter likes camisoles. I have bought some at Marshalls that even have an extra panel that mimics a sports bra inside, but most are just cotton tank-top style. She wears them under a looser overshirt or her T-shirts. For gym she prefers a sport bra. We have bought Hanes sports bras at Target, they come 2 on a hanger for about $6. Walmart has the same thing. Our doctor said her period should follow the development of breast buds and pubic hair in about 2 years. A very good book for young girls is the American Girl book called " The care and keeping of you!", not just bras and periods, but all kinds of easy to read, no-nonsense discussions about all things a girls needs to know.
http://www.amazon.com/Care-Keeping-You-American-Library/d...

No. It's not too early. Just to let you know too. When my daughter's started to develop, she had what seemed like a lump, but it turned out to be the breast bud that was completely "normal" for a lot of s that just start to develop. I'd still get anything checked out that alrms you, but don't get too worried if that happens.

I think this is the normal age to start developing. I remember getting my first bra in 4th grade (I was 8 or 9) and I don't remember at the time feeling weird about it or thinking I was the first or only one. I don't really remember the progression of them and how big they got when, but I didn't get my period until a couple of years later, right after I turned 11. Have you asked her if other girls in her class seem to be developing or have bras? I think it's important to keep an open dialogue with her about what is happening to her as well as the things to come. I remember my best friend telling me she got her period (when I was 9 or 10) and I had no idea what she was talking about and was really embarassed.

Completely normal. And if your daughter feels she would like a training bra it's not too early. But it has to be her choice. My 10 year old is developing as well and I've talked to her about getting a bra. She doesn't want to just yet. But I told her to let me know when she's ready. For not she's happy with just undershirts. I highly recommend the book the Care and Keeping of You to read with her about her changes. It's a great book you can get from the library to look it over first. My pediatrician even recommended it at my daughter's physical this year and we had already been reading it. It doesn't go into any sex talk it just talks about the changes her body is going to make. It has opened a lot of dialogue with my daughter though. There were some parts in there that I didn't feel the need to show her (how to put tampons in) last summer, but now she's been looking at them. She thinks it's gross, but she needs to know about these things. Better to hear about it from mom than another girl.

L.,

Its not a surprise because of all the hormones in meat and milk. If she is developing now get her a training bra or undershirt. Kids are cruel and will notice.

D.

It is very normal since a lot of girls start developing at that age and some even have their periods at 10. My daughter started developing early and we got her some nice comfy athletic bras that fit more like a tee-shirt than a traditional bra. They are much easier to wear and put on for young girls and also look good under little girl clothes (doesn't look like a bra underneath). Its a good idea to give her chest some support since developing breasts can be very tender and sore at times, OW! American Girl has made a great book for girls that teaches girls how their bodies are changing and its perfect for girls your daughter's age. Its called American Girl: "The Care and Keeping of You." It teaches about body odor, development, exercise, eating well, body image etc. All good things to know at her age. My daughter and I read it together, and it was a very good lighthearted introduction to her body changes and in becoming a pre-teen. Hope that helps :-)

Hi L. its C. - Mother of 5, EMT.

My daughter was 8 when she first got her irregular period. Be encouraged to care for what ever situation nature hands you. Please get her training bras and equip her for being comfortable with her changing body.

Ignoring it won't make them go away and sometimes breast buds grow at different times which means they could be different sizes. At least with a bra, they will appear to be the more of the same size. Please do something because kids are mean and will be intentionally cruel. Bras would help to protect her budding self confidence.

Help her normalize the situation by making her part of the purchase and talking to her about female body changes.

Few mom's are ever ready to deal with this. I know I wasn't. Be encouraged!

C. H

Unfortunately, this is not that uncommon (these days.) I teach k-8 and I see 5th graders that look as curvy as Sofia Lauren.

There are many different theories about why this is happening: genetics, good nutrition (compared to prior ages,) and hormones in mass market meets and dairy.

Hi there, L..

It is completely normal. I started wearing a training bra when I was 9 and remember that I didn't want to at first because it seemed like so much extra work, but it was a good thing that my grandmother (who raised me) insisted because it made things more comfortable at school. I don't think that early development has anything to do with chemical or the like. I think it is just natural for people to develop at their own schedule. I'm 34 now and that's how it was when I grew up, so I'm guessing the same holds true now. Best of luck to you and your daughter. :)

L., my daughter is also 9 1/2 and I bought her a bra because she asked me to because all her friends were wearing them. I figured she could get use to it. But today I realized I was lucky to do that because one of her breast have a little nub!! So I know how you feel!

C.

My oldest daughter started developing around age 6, she has just turned 10, wears a C cup and has her period. My other daughter turns 6 in a few weeks and she has also started to develop already. Like others have said you can see a lot of girls are now developing early, but it also can depend on genetics. The girls on my mothers side of the family have always developed early. Have her try on some bras that make her feel comfortable and let her know it is normal.

Hi L.,
Our daughter began developing at nine also. We went to an endocrinologist for testing to see if there was a chance of premature precocious puberty. Her test results (bloodwork) showed normal results. Her "development was adipose (fatty) tissue, even though she is a slim build. We returned to the endocrinologist at 6 months and 1 year for continued follow up. Now she is 10 and 1/2 and he says she is entering puberty. She began wearing a training bra (soft stretchy cotton -no real cup) at 9 whenever her tops were light colored. Then by this last summer (10 years old) she needed one every day (still no cup). She feels more comfortable knowing that she is covered in case her neckline or arm holes gape open and there is no "poofy-ness" under her t-shirts for boys to giggle over. They grow up way too fast. I hope this helps!
W.

I developed in 4th grade at 9 years old. Perfectly normal. I wore bras beginning then. I like the suggestions of sports type bras, it was very obvious when I started to wear bras, those would have been a nice option.
It was another nearly 2 years before I got my period, but if you and she haven't had the discussion yet, now might be a good time to start it. I remember my mom giving me a sort of timetable/ checklist of what changes would be happening to my body over the next few years and it was helpful to me.