My 11 year old daughter is developing really quickly and every so often, she says that the area around her nipples hurts. I am not sure if she means the skin (like dry or irritated skin) or if it's just like a pain under the skin. It's hard to get a clear answer from her. She wants to walk around shirtless when it hurts because she says it is worse if the shirt or bra touches her which makes me think it is her skin. We have tried aloe, lotion for dry skin, tylenol, nothing really seems to make it go away. Have any of you ever had a problem like this? Do you know what it is or what I can do to make it better?
Also, one more question: She got her first period in November and then she got it right on schedule in December, but she hasn't had one yet in January. She should have gotten it over a week ago. Is this just because she just started getting periods and maybe it isn't "normal" yet or do you think I should be concerned that it is so late? She seems to be very worried about it, but I told her not to worry and that it is normal to be "abnormal" in the beginning. I don't want her to worry about it, but I am not sure whether I should worry about it.
Thanks for your help!
her breast growing is why her nipples hurt. Try a sport bra, that might help. If it doesn't, don't allow her to walk around with out anything on... she needs to be in her bedroom with out it on, in private. She is starting to devlop she needs to start learning the privacy things.
With her period it can take up to the first year after she gets her first one before it becomes "normal" and trackable. There is nothing to worry about.
:)
her body is changing and the breast tissue is stretching her skin causing pain. see if she wants ice or a hot pack to help soothe. it can take a year for her periods to work out
don't worry... her periods could be erratic for the first year or so... her hormones are fluctuating! Also, the sore, tender nipples are pretty normal at this time too. Try some lanolin or cocoa butter (for nursing mothers) for her, and make sure she wears a cotton sports bra (or training bra) under her shirt from now on... scratchy materials will irratate them worse.
I went through all of this when I was the same age... it will pass!
-M.
hormones are just starting to surge, she might not be the most regular for another year or so. I would also think the skin around the nipple is affected... since its suppose to be near her period time anyway for this month and shes a little late, she might be getting those wonderful "symptoms" us, older ladies get as well. Soar and overly sensitive boobies. Might be she will get her period in a day or two. I was a month shy of 10 when I first bled. Then I didnt get it back till I was a month shy of 12. Ever since its been fairly regular. I'm 36.
I'm with everyone else on the period issue. They should even out within a year. I would encourage a good hygiene talk around this time. I wanted to add that for the nipple tenderness she can also use band-aids to protect the sensitive skin. You can also take wilted cabbage leaves (I know it sounds crazy but it TRULY works!) and warm them, place them on the breast (while in the privacy of her room) for 10-20 minutes. This method has been used for centuries with great success in both adolescents going through puberty and breast feeding mothers.
Sounds like her body is trying to adjust to the new hormones. When I 1st started my period, I had one the 1st month and then not another until a few months later. I wouldn't worry about being on schedule with her period just yet. Like I said, her body is just adjusting and trying to form its own schedule on its own time.
It is normal. it hurts lots of us girls when we are growing. And getting periods at first can be a little at a time. don't worry about it
