for parents w/ daughters

[jcm]

okay - does anyone know when girls start having vaginal discharge? i have an 8 yr. old and i'm wondering because of some things that have gone on this week. she went to the office 2x this week because her underwear felt "wet" and tonight she told me pee came out of there! i looked and i saw something that looked white-ish. could it be an infection? any input would be great! to me she's still 3, but i may have to face the facts she's not!!

 

[JennieR]

My first thought was that she might have a yeast infection. But, just to be on the safe side, I'd take her to the Dr. just to make sure it's nothing serious.

 

[maddiesmum]

My niece started her periods when she was 9, and girls experience discharge before periods begin. My 12 year old is going through this now. So, yes, it is possible.

I would not assume yeast infection, unless she complains of itching or you see her shifting uncomfortably on her seat a lot. If she does, I would do the doctor visit pronto because a first yeast infection can be virulent. Otherwise, no need to panic over discharge, just explain to her how her body might be changing early and keep an eye on things.

Clare

 

[LaughingWater]

Hm. I'd take her to the doc. It's probably nothing, but it's best to make sure.

 

[plarsen]

If she has been on antibiotics recently, it could be a yeast infection.

 

[Jess_jugs]

Just a suggestion if you're looking for a good book at this age, The Care and Keeping of You (it's from the American Girl series) is EXCELLENT. I got it for my 9yo a while ago and she just loved it. It is very good at the age when their bodies start changing, it goes into hygiene, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Care-Keeping-...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225054459&sr=8-1 (you can get it at Target, Wal*mart, etc)

I know, it's hard to think of them as growing up, I can't believe my dd is almost 10!!

 

[ldy_solana]

Just a suggestion if you're looking for a good book at this age, The Care and Keeping of You (it's from the American Girl series) is EXCELLENT. I got it for my 9yo a while ago and she just loved it. It is very good at the age when their bodies start changing, it goes into hygiene, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Care-Keeping-...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225054459&sr=8-1 (you can get it at Target, Wal*mart, etc)

I know, it's hard to think of them as growing up, I can't believe my dd is almost 10!!

thanks so much for posting. we want to get viola some books for xmas but we like to stick with educational stuff as well. she does well learning from books like this.

kassia

 

[Jess_jugs]

thanks so much for posting. we want to get viola some books for xmas but we like to stick with educational stuff as well. she does well learning from books like this.

kassia

You're welcome! I had 2 friends recommend it to me and with 3 girls I'm sure we'll be looking through it a LOT. I read it before giving it to my dd and we had a good conversation after she read it.

 

[ldy_solana]

You're welcome! I had 2 friends recommend it to me and with 3 girls I'm sure we'll be looking through it a LOT. I read it before giving it to my dd and we had a good conversation after she read it.

our issue is with the autism sometimes its hard to understand the concepts but i like the idea of characters that she can relate too almost.that connection usually holds her interest and we build from there. hygiene is major issue right now and i am worried b/c now that she is 9 we have to start talking about the changes as well as trying to keep up with general hygiene issues.

kassia

 

[jonahnah]

Great book suggestion Jess! I gave that to my DD when she was in 3rd or 4th grade and it's so well done. We bought so many of those books (not just all the fictional ones) and I cannot recommend them enough!

To the OP, my DD (now 13) gets a liquid-y discharge when she's ovulating and it's enough to soak her underwear. She wears a heavier pantyliner (does that make sense??) and that works fine. You'd know if it was a yeast infection by smell, wouldn't you? Most girls get their periods between 9 -13 so yeah, she's right on schedule to show more signs of puberty. HTH!

 

[dragonf1y]

8yo is not too early for things to get started. I had many friends (25-30%) who started menstrating when they were 9. Remember that a discharge is a normal part of a woman's cycle. A yeast infection should have a yeasty smell and will likely look cottage cheesy. Normal discharge is clear and low odor. HTH,

 

[karenvictoria]

DD is almost 12 and I would say the discharge for her began around 11. So almost a entire year of this and she doen'st have her period yet. I got mine at 11 1/2 so she knows at this point it could be anytime. I agree with Jess's recommendation. We read it too. It could be just a yeast infection or the beginning of puberty. Good luck.