Deodorant for Kids

Whenever they need it -- usually around the beginning of puberty (ages 10-12). If a child under the age of 10 is developing body odor, you should actually take him/her to the doctor rather than just buying a stick of deodorant. This is a sign of precocious puberty, which is a (treatable) medical problem.

Whenever they start to need it. My daughter first wore it at about age 9 but only when she was getting hot and sweaty during dance performances; we didn't want the costumes to pick up any smell. Otherwise she did not need it daily, though now at 11 she does.

I recommend a deodorant, not an anti-perspirant; the latter contain aluminum and other chemicals you shouldn't expose kids to on a daily basis for years and years. We use Tom's of Maine all-natural deodorants which are aluminum- free. Deodorants sometimes do require more applications than chemical-filled anti-perspirants but I prefer that to having a ton of chemicals on my kid (or myself).

when they start smelling...

I noticed my 8 year old starting to get body odor. I mentioned it to my mother-in-law (she's a great source for me) and she said her kids got stinky too and the doctor had recommended trying antibacterial body wash/soap. So I tried it and I haven't noticed anymore bad odor.

I think I was around 11-12 when I started using deodorant.

my son is 10 and now uses it. However, we don't use anything with Aluminum in it..

If your children have foul-smelling sweat before the onset of puberty, chances are they are trying to detox something they are reacting to, and I would seek out an allergist or homeopathic dr. to get to the root of the issues instead of "masking it" with scented deodorant.

Having said that, I try to limit chemicals that my kids are exposed to, and body products are no exception. There are several safe "Crystal" and herbal deodorants on the market, or simple recipes to make your own at home (coconut oil and baking soda, for example.) If you have problems finding these, go by a health-food store, as they usually stock them as well.

as soon as you notice they have an odor. my daughter started when she was 9. :( no hair under the pits yet, but she did have odor!

my daughter started using it at 8 - she NEEDED it.
My son who is 11 and is on and off in using it.
My son who is 9 doesn't need it yet.

Some kids really do need it earlier than others. It's tough..especially since we want them to stay "kids" for sooo long!!!

If it's not because they NEED it, then I would say when they start asking for it!!! My daughter asked to start using it around ten or eleven years old - she was afraid of any underarm odor even tho she hadn't had any problems - we went shopping and got the one specifically for young girls. It made her feel more confident not having to worry about odor. I don't regret my decision to let her use it.

It's more about a need than an age. I noticed my daughter started to have underarm odor around age 9 (going on 10) and she has been using it since. I get her anything from Teen spirt to degree teen or just regular degree or dove.

S.

My daugther started wearing it regularly around 7. I freaked out and asked the doctor, but they were not at all concerned. They told me as long as she wasn't getting breast buds yet, it wasn't a cause for concern (precocious puberty).

It is not by age.
It is when they start to smell.
And if you can smell your child, then others can too. And the teacher.

My oldest started in 4th grade cause he was developing early...It depends on the child. My youngest is now 4th grade but does not seem to have the odor yet. They do have the sex education talk at school in 4th and 5th grade so that's a hint for them.

My daughter has been using deodorant since about 5y/o. I buy the Tom's natural deodorant, because everything else made her itch. Works wonders!!!

My little girl has been wearing deodorant since she was around 2. She has really bad bo. If they need it then let them wear it is my philosophy on that subject.