♡ A note from Gemma
There seems to be a funny stage of parenting where, almost without noticing, your little girl starts to seem just that little bit more grown up.
Perhaps you notice that she suddenly needs deodorant. Her hair gets greasy more quickly. There might be the beginnings of a spot, new body hair or emotions that seem bigger than they used to.
And you find yourself wondering:
Is puberty starting already?
For many children, some of these early changes are part of something called adrenarche - a completely normal stage of development that can begin years before a first period arrives.
I think understanding what's happening can make this stage feel much less daunting for us as parents - and help us make it feel completely ordinary for our daughters too.
With love,
Gemma ♡
What is adrenarche?
Adrenarche is a developmental stage when the adrenal glands - small glands located above the kidneys - begin producing increasing amounts of hormones called androgens.
It can happen before the hormonal process responsible for breast development and periods begins.
That's why a child might suddenly develop body odour or a little pubic or underarm hair while otherwise still looking very much like a little girl.
And importantly:
Adrenarche does not mean her first period is about to arrive.
There's often still quite a journey to go.
What might you notice around ages 6–9?
Every child develops differently, and she certainly won't necessarily experience all of these.
You might begin to notice:
- stronger body odour, particularly under the arms
- increased sweating
- slightly oilier hair
- oilier skin or an occasional spot
- the beginning of pubic or underarm hair
- changes in growth
These changes are linked to increasing adrenal hormones and can be a perfectly normal part of growing up.
And then there can be the changes that aren't quite so easy to see.
What about emotions?
Children at this age are developing emotionally and socially too. You might notice more self-consciousness, a growing desire for privacy or independence, stronger feelings or a new awareness of their bodies.
Rather than treating these changes as something alarming, this can be a lovely time to start creating the kind of relationship where talking about bodies isn't embarrassing.
Small conversations now can make the bigger conversations later much easier.
Does adrenarche mean her period is coming?
Not necessarily.
This is probably the most reassuring part for parents.
A first period is more closely connected to the progression of puberty. Breast development is commonly one of the first visible signs, and the NHS says periods typically begin around two years after breasts first start developing. The average age for a first period is around 12, although there is considerable variation.
So body odour at eight doesn't mean you need to expect a period next week.
But it can be a gentle reminder that your daughter is growing up.
A lovely time to start talking
You don't need to sit her down for The Period Talk.
In fact, I'd avoid making it one enormous conversation altogether.
The NHS recommends treating conversations about periods as an ongoing process and using ordinary opportunities to talk about them.
At this age that might simply mean explaining why bodies start to smell different, choosing her first deodorant together, talking naturally about body hair, or allowing her to see period products without treating them as something secret.
And somewhere amongst those little conversations you can begin saying:
“One day you'll have periods too, and I'll make sure you know exactly what to expect.”
No fear.
No embarrassment.
Just information.
Helping her feel comfortable with her changing body
We don’t want her to feel that she’s growing up and everything is about to change, more that her body is doing exactly what bodies do.
Let her ask questions.
Use proper, simple language.
Don't tease her about body odour, hair or changing emotions.
Give her privacy when she starts wanting it.
Help her learn new hygiene habits without making her feel that her changing body is dirty or embarrassing.
Because the way we respond to these first little changes can quietly influence how she feels about the bigger ones later.
When should you speak to a GP?
Puberty normally starts between 8 and 14 years old. If a girl develops signs of puberty such as breast development before age 8, the NHS recommends speaking to a GP. Pubic/underarm hair or adult-type body odour can sometimes occur earlier because of premature adrenarche, but it's still sensible to seek medical advice if you're concerned about early or rapid changes.
And perhaps the most important thing...
She doesn't need to know everything about periods at six, seven, eight or nine.
She just needs to know that she can talk to you about them.
Preparing our daughters doesn't mean rushing them into growing up.
Quite the opposite.
It means giving them information gradually, in an age-appropriate way, so that when each new stage arrives it doesn't feel frightening or completely unfamiliar.
And when her first period eventually does come, perhaps the greatest gift we can give her is the feeling:
I knew this was coming.
I know what it is.
And I know what to do. ♡
With love,
Gemma ♡
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