Please remember that these are only guidelines. Any concerns should be discussed with your pediatrician.

1. For girls, starting puberty at age 8 can be normal. True or False?
2. Once girls develop breasts, menarche (a girl's first period) will follow within a year. True or False?
3. A girls growth spurt occurs just before she develops breasts. True or False?
4. A boy starts having erections at the start of puberty. True or False?
5. You should have "the talk" with your boys and girls by age 8. True or False?
6. Most boys begin puberty around age 11 or 12. True or False?
7. Girls can develop a firm lump in one or both breasts prior to breast development. True or False.
8. If a boy develops any breast tissue during puberty, it is abnormal. True or False?
9. Although it can be normal for a girl to get her period earlier, most girls start menstruating at age 12 or 13 years. True or False?
10. A 6 year old with body odor is normal. True or False?

1.  For girls, starting puberty at age 8 can be normal.  True or False?

True.  Puberty can begin for girls as early as 7 or 8 years of age and for boys as early as 9 years of age.  The average age is about 10 for girls and about 12 for boys.  If you notice signs of puberty prior to these ages (body hair, breast development, enlargement of testes), you should contact your pediatrician.  Your child may have precocious puberty (read more) and will need to be seen by an endocrinologist.  

2.  Once girls develop breasts, menarche (a girl's first period) will follow within a year.  True or False?

False.  It is more typical for menarche to begin 2-2 1/2 years after a girl starts to develop breasts.  Although breasts are usually the first sign of puberty in girls, some girls develop body hair first.

3.  A girls growth spurt occurs just before she develops breasts.  True or False?

False.  A girls growth spurt usually occurs in the 1-2 years following breast development.  A boys growth spurt is on average, 1-2 years later than a girls growth spurt and occurs around age 10-16 years of age.

4.  A boy starts having erections at the start of puberty.  True or False?

False.  A boy starts having erections in infancy.  At puberty, boys start having nocturnal emissions (wet dreams) which is when they ejaculate in their sleep.

5.  You should have "the talk" with your boys and girls by age 8.  True or False?

True and False.  If you listen, your child will likely ask questions about male and female bodies, babies and development from a very early age.  Don't ignore these questions-use them as a teaching opportunity.  If you have the rare child that has not asked questions (or you have changed the subject whenever the questions have come up) be sure that you talk to your child by 8 years of age.  Click here for my article for tips on talking to your child about sex.  For more information on the changes during puberty go to www.kidshealth.org and search puberty. 

6.  Most boys begin puberty around age 11 or 12.  True or False?

True.  The first sign of puberty in boys is usually enlargement of the testes and this usually starts around age 11 or 12.

7.  Girls can develop a firm lump in one or both breasts prior to breast development.  True or False.

True.  Often the first sign of puberty in a girl is a lump under one or both nipples.  This lump can sometimes be a bit tender.  If this happens before age 7 years of age you should contact your pediatrician.  Babies can sometimes have a similar lump under a nipple which is from the mom's hormones and usually resolves by age 1 year.

8.  If a boy develops any breast tissue during puberty, it is abnormal.  True or False?

False.  About 1/2 of boys will notice some breast development during puberty (called gynecomastia).  It usually resolves in a normal weight boy within 6 months.  This can be very distressing to boys so be sure to let him know that it is normal and won't last for long.  If this breast development is associated with any other symptoms, persists more than 6 months, is unilateral or develops before age 9 years, you should contact your pediatrician. 

9.  Although it can be normal for a girl to get her period earlier, most girls start menstruating at age 12 or 13 years.  True or False?

True.  The average age to begin menstruation is between 12 and 13 years.

10.  A 6 year old with body odor can be normal.  True or False?

True.  Some children do develop body odor before puberty.  However, if you notice any other development (like hair under the arms or in the genital area, changes in genitalia) you should see your pediatrician.  Bathing every day with an antibacterial soap can help.  You can also try a home remedy of witch hazel and aloe vera in a spray bottle.

For more information:

Go to www.kidshealth.org or click here. 
read more

The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls (American Girl Library) by Valorie Schaefer and Norm Bendell
American Medical Association Boy’s Guide to Becoming a Teen
What’s the Big Secret?: Talking about Sex with Girls and Boys by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown
It’s So Amazing!: A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley

Always remember if you are in doubt, check with your pediatrician, no question is a silly one and we are here for you to best care for your children!

About Amy Anzilotti, M.D.