Weight And/or Bra Issues

Updated on October 17, 2006
R.B. asks from Plainfield, IN
17 answers

I have a 7 year 7 month old girl. The doctor has been "concerned" because her weight; has been gaining faster then her height and we've been watching it most of this year. I'm noticing that her boobs are getting larger and started reading about bras. They are saying as early as 8, I really don't know if she's getting boobs or she's just gaining the weight and becoming more noticiable. I just don't want her to get the wrong idea about her weight and she always gains alittle weight then a few inches and slims all back down. So I really haven't been too worried about it but now I don't know what to do next.******* Okay I guess I did leave out a big part of this. I would say we are average eaters when it comes to "healthy". We eat out on nights that we are on the run. But who doesn't? Once the doctor brought it to my attention we started buying out groceries differently. Not taking anything away, but buying 10 calorie drink pouches and sugar free pudding cups. I didn't want her to notice things were changing yet still I was watching what she was eating. Really she doesn't eat bad. As of activities, she plays soccer twice a week during spring and fall (we just started for the winter for the first time) and during the summer (March through October) she races. Maybe doesn't sound that physical but you get in a full suit when it's 85 degrees out and see how much weight you sweat off over the period of 9 hours outside (no air). She is constantly outside playing (gone through 3 skip-its, a scooter and a bike this summer) and running with friends, (easy) 5 mile bike rides in town (and we ride the hill by the aquatic center up on the way home). BTW, I was a fitness instructor until I got pregnant and was put on bedrest. I was never overweight but my husband was. And if I remember I was in a c cup in 5th grade, but don't remember much besides that.

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L.B.

answers from Indianapolis on

I have a 6 yr old daughter that my in-laws are trying to tell me that she is developing. I think that a lot of girls now are developing sooner than they would due to growth horomones in the beef and milk that we eat and drink. I remember developing much sooner than most girls in my class. Plus it also depends on genes, if you developed early she may very well. You may also look at mom and g-ma in law and ask a few questions about thier development. If you think she is really developing then I would start with those little tank tops they sell to go under regular shirts. And the just roll with the development punches.

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K.K.

answers from Bloomington on

Try switching to organic milk and beef. A friend of mine did that and her daughter's very early menstration went away for another couple of years until it was a more 'normal' age range. The FDA hasn't proved it, but I have enough anecdotal evidence from personal experiance that I don't trust the hormones they put in dairy and beef cattle.

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K.S.

answers from Des Moines on

Hi I have a daughter that is 9 years old and is a twin. her twinis a boy. I beleive that kid's are going through puberty earlier. but I also beleive that it has to do with family history, My daughter is a 1/2 inch from 5 feet. and weighs 152 lbs, yes that is quite a bit, but she is on meds for Bipolar and other diagnosis, I do watch what she eats, but I do not make a big deal out of it, because I was her size when I was 9.and I am now 37 and weigh 200. I have been at that weight for 11 years, except for when I had her and her twin brother, my daughter started wearing a bra when she was 8, In the research on her bipolar, I have found out that a person that is bipolar will have eating problems as in over eating. I just redirect her when she wants to eat , when it is not meal time or snack time. but I would not be real concerned about the bra or the weight at this time, just be there for your daughter, and support her, may wanna check thyroid and all that stuff. I did too. but nothing was wrong. Godd luck from Iowa

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M.

answers from Elkhart on

R., Don't get panicky I have the same problem. My daughter will be nine next weekend and is up to whopping 85 pounds. But you can tell if it is just her weight or hormones. My daughter was a skinny minny until the last five months and then wham. But you can tell if it is hormones, hall tall is she? Is she starting to get fuzz in her armpits, usually shows up as white heads first. Are her hips getting more defined? The biggest way to tell is if her nips are swollen a little. Also check to see if she has a different odor when she sweats. Mine is now wearing deodorant which is odd because she noticed it before I did and she is very self concious about cleanliness and odors. Seems they get younger all the time. My first daughter was 11 my second was ten and now this one looks like she will be 9. Their growing up but nothing to be concerned about. Enjoy the little lady.

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L.

answers from Lafayette on

I would make sure she is eating healthy without making big deal out of it. Let her help you cook. Make sure she gets excersise she needs- go for walks to park with her- just play, so she won't be obessed with her weight. I'd just make sure she wears undershirt under some clothing- make sure her t-shirts are too tight. I haven't seen too many 7 yr olds that really need bras. You know if they hadn't taken PE out of the schools- it would be better. Take up something active as family, even something like bowling.

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L.A.

answers from Lexington on

In my psychology class, my teacher told us about a similar problem with oner of her friends daughters. She found out that the premature development was from the growth horomones in milk. You should try organic milk and see if that slows down the growth a little bit. The sugar free stuff and the low calorie juice drinks, have even more harmful stuff in it. The aspartame has been found in research to cause cancer, and just a teaspoon given to the lab rats causes instant death. Not trying to scare you just sharing the information we have found. hope everything works out.

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S.M.

answers from Evansville on

I do remember being 8 1/2 when starting to wear a bra, and I was tall and thin...there were girls who started wearing bras very early...and in my personal opinion, girls and boys are developing more quickly...
If it makes her feel more comfortable about her self image, I don't see why not.
Push those healthy food choices...and elimnate the bad ones. It sounds like you are doing a great job with that already.
I second getting a thyroid test to see if that may be the factor as well....

Good luck!
S.

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A.P.

answers from Omaha on

it sounds like she is pretty active. did your doctor ever come to the idea that maybe shes just a growing girl? if she isnt over weight he/she shouldnt be concerned about it. kids this age start having frequent growth spurts and with kids getting there bodies mature at a younger age. i dont know to me she seems pretty active id push that more than pushin her to watch her weight shes really young for that yet

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S.S.

answers from Elkhart on

By the time my daughter was in 3rd grade she was wearing a B cup. Unfortunately for her, she stopped growing them at that age too. I myself have 4 kids, and between my 2 brothers and 1 sister, we have a total of 17 kids, and I can't remember one of them not having a little "baby fat" left on them at that age. I'm not a firm believer in the panic attacks the doctors are going through right now about obesity in children. I could understand if she were considerably shorter than other children her age AND considerably heavier, but a flucuation in weight in children (especially girls) is, in my opinion completely normal. You are definitely doing the right thing as far as changing some of your eating habits, but if you feel when you look at her and then other girls her age, that she looks like they do, then don't worry. As far as the bra, try getting her some cute little undershirts (like the ones with matching panties) so she thinks she's just getting something special and she won't become self-conscience about getting "boobs" before anyone else that age. By the way, by the time I was 9 I was in a C cup and at 14 a DD. Some girls just develop faster than others.

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M.C.

answers from Davenport on

Sometimes when you gain weight as a child and as an adult one of the frist places you gain weight is in your boobs unfoutionily. if they are getting bigger and you think she needs on get her one . because if you don't they will start to sage and you don't want that . because then kids will start to tease her and you don't want that at all .but also try to remember when your boobs started getting big enough that your mom had to get you a bra . my 16yr wears a d cup and is in 11th grade . she is going to have to have a brest redution soon because her boobs are causing her to have back problems.
the weight thing though i wouldn't realy worry about it . unless she starts gaining alot of weight in a short period of time my 16yr was alittle on the big side till she hit 7th or 8th grade thin she just lost it . and it sounds like your daughter is more active than my girl was at that age. hope this helps alittle.

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M.L.

answers from Fort Wayne on

I've got pictures of me when I was in 3rd grade because I was in my aunt's wedding. I was SO chubby. I started ballooning up in either late 2nd or early 3rd grade. I developed pretty early and had a chest and my period (started in 4th grade) before any other girls in my grade. She very well may just be developing early. You may find too that her chest may shrink once she has another growth spurt or loses some of the puberty weight. Mine never did, but she may get lucky=-)

I would also seek a second opinion from another Dr., even one in the same practice as yours if there is one. Find out if they feel there is an issue with her weight. This way you are comfortable that you are being thorough.

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J.C.

answers from Indianapolis on

I've also heard a lot about the hormones put in beef & milk speeding up the aging process in young girls. I use ground turkey as its safer to me. I know my neice just turned 11 & has been having her periods for a few months already

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M.H.

answers from Indianapolis on

R.,
My daughter was starting to develope her bust when she was in the 5th grade. I guess that would have made her 10. She is getting bigger and bigger every year and now that she is 13. She is growing in alot more places too. As for your daughter, she is going to develope alot younger than you or I did. That is what my doctor tells me. As for the eating right it seems that you are on the right track with that. Dont worry too much until she starts to ask questions. When she begins to questions her size is when you should talk to her about it. That way she isnt thinking you are trying to tell her how she should look. Good luck.
M.

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R.

answers from Indianapolis on

R., does your doctor express concerns about her weight?
If so has he checked for thyroid issues?
Okay so the bra thing, let her wear camisoles under her clothing, or sports bras, they are less uncomfortable for young girls.
Also have you tried getting her into sports, active children tend to be slower in gaining weight, or at least become even out with their height. And sports will help build confidence and perhaps she will be less self conscience about her own weight.
goodluck

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C.

answers from Omaha on

My husband was just diagnosed with hypothyroidism (we were flabbergasted). The only symptom he really had was not being able to loose the extra weight around the middle and he excercises 4-5 times every week. I did some research when he was diagnosed and found out that 50% of Americans have hypo/hyperthyroidism. If she and your husband haven't been tested, I would recommend it. Good luck and God Bless.

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H.M.

answers from Omaha on

Well I got my period at age 10. Had breasts and wore a bra by about 8. I had DD by senior year in high school. I wasn't overweight or anything. That was just the way my body is. I guess the question is, is your daughter indeed over weight or is she just developing? I mean I was alway average weight and above average in development. Some girls just are. I didn't drink milk at all and didn't eat that much meat, so hormones don't Always have something to do with it. I would look at her and if she seems obese I would be concerned that it was just because she needed to lose weight, otherwise be prepared that she will be advanced in the development department. I am still average weight and have EE breasts. Just to warn you.

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C.S.

answers from Lexington on

OK R. IT IS NOT JUST YOU I HAVE AN 8 YEAR OLD WHO IS GROWING BOOBS TOO. MY DAUGHTER IS ALMOST 5 FOOT TALL AND WEIGHS ABOUT 80 POUNDS. SHE IS SKINNY BUT YES THEY START GROWING BOOBS ABOUT NOW. ESPECIALLY IF YOU HIT EARLY PUBERTY. I STARTED THROUGH PUBERTY AT 8 AND I WEAR A 40DD BRA. SO IF ANYONE IN THE FAMILY STARTED EARLY MORE THAN LIKELY SO WILL YOUR CHILDREN. ASK YOUR MOTHER-IN LAW IF ANYONE ON THEIR SIDE STARTED THROUGH PUBERTY EARLY. BUT YOR DAUGHTER SOUNDS LIKE SHE IS FINE FOR HER AGE. AND HEALTHY. god bless you and your family.

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