Daughter just turned 7 :-(

paye

Hi,
Bit of a odd subject this.

I'm a bit worried that our daughter has just turned seven with her starting to show early signs of puberty . Small amounts of hair are growing under her arms and she also started to let of bio smell especially when she has been running or playing.

She only tuned 7 last week. We took her to see the doctors last week and they have decided to refer her to a pediatrician with an appointment booked for end of october as they feel it's too early.

Is this normal, i'm just worried that there isn't any undelying condition. My wife feels it's just normal, but as a father i'm worry abit. She starting Junior School next week and I don't want this to affect her when she is at school.

goodwithsaving

There's another forum for this type of stuff. It's called Mumsnet. I really don't understand why this forum has suddenly become a Mumsnet replacement!

kingfisherblue

Children are maturing earlier now than in the past. However, if there is an underlying medical condition, surely it's better to find out and treat it? Having said that, I know of quite a few nine year olds who have started their periods. It's important to have 'the conversation' before it reaches the stage where she bleeds, otherwise she could be very frightened.

I've asked parents to chat to their daughters before Brownie pack holiday, especially those who have girls of 9 or 10, and I will be taking supplies just in case any girls have their periods while we are away. I know that other Brownie leaders do this too. A couple of decades ago, it would have been just the Guide leaders, but now Brownie leaders need to ask parents to have the chat too.

Incidentally, if there is an underlying problem, it might easily be sorted out. Sometimes it's just regular check ups or taking a medication - it doesn't necessarily mean something sinister is happening.

Mojisola

paye wrote: »

She only tuned 7 last week. We took her to see the doctors last week and they have decided to refer her to a pediatrician with an appointment booked for end of october as they feel it's too early.

Is this normal

It is very early which is why the GP has referred her to a paediatrician - but the referral is most likely just to eliminate any underlying health problem.

Our children are starting puberty earlier than previous generations - for many there is no health issue, it's a result of the environment we've created.

Newly_retired

Not sure why the answers from a forum are better than those of a paediatrician?
Early puberty is not unheard of but would be unusual at seven.
There is no such thing as normal.

hazyjo

Really not sure if there's a question in your OP. Not about to discuss puberty in young girls as I don't think it's appropriate for here.


We can't give medical advice on these boards so I'd probably advise listening to the doc (or mumsnet!).

Mojisola

Newly_retired wrote: »

Not sure why the answers from a forum are better than those of a paediatrician?

It could be quite a wait before the appointment comes.

Why not ask around and see what other people's views and experiences are?

lika_86

paye wrote: »

Hi,
Bit of a odd subject this.

I'm a bit worried that our daughter has just turned seven with her starting to show early signs of puberty . Small amounts of hair are growing under her arms and she also started to let of bio smell especially when she has been running or playing.

She only tuned 7 last week. We took her to see the doctors last week and they have decided to refer her to a pediatrician with an appointment booked for end of october as they feel it's too early.

Is this normal, i'm just worried that there isn't any undelying condition. My wife feels it's just normal, but as a father i'm worry abit. She starting Junior School next week and I don't want this to affect her when she is at school.

I wouldn't worry too much, this may explain more http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Puberty/Pages/Complications.aspx

If your wife feels it's normal then maybe she was an early starter too and it just runs in the family.

RuthnJasper

It is early, but I started menstruating just before my 9th birthday. Probably best to wait and see what the paediatrician says, but if she's generally in good health it may just be "one of those things".


She might need a bit of support in helping to understand what's happening to her. Maybe you could get her something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Book-Growing-Victoria-Parker/dp/0340930993 (The Little Book of Growing Up). It's quite helpful and doesn't have too much on intimate relationships, which (I think) would be too advanced for a 7 year old.


Good luck.

krlyr

goodwithsaving wrote: »

There's another forum for this type of stuff. It's called Mumsnet. I really don't understand why this forum has suddenly become a Mumsnet replacement!

There are tons of threads on the MSE forums that aren't necessarily money-saving related, but presumably the member has posted on here for money-saving advice and feels this is a good audience to ask for other life advice. I've posted on here about personal stuff for advice, especially within subforums where I've posted a lot and feel like I trust the regular members to give good advice.

Had they signed up simply to make this post, I might wonder why they chose MSE over Mumsnet or a specific children's health forum, but don't think it's particularly odd that an existing member has come to the families forum to ask a question about a family member.


And in regards to the comment by someone else about why answers would be better than from a paediatrician - I'm sure OP isn't after better answers, just wanting to hear other people's experiences as reassurance. You could say the same about many posts on here - why ask MSE members the best mortgage product instead of a mortgage broker? Why ask for recipes instead of buying a recipe book? Humans like to share ideas and experiences, it's what makes a forum run, it would be pretty pointless if we just told people they should go offline and only listen to one professional's opinion on everything.