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Body Odor

SariePSarieP
in School-Aged Children

My 8 year old SD was with us on Christmas Day and I noticed that she has some serious BO.  Her armpits were funky.  I told her that every evening she should be washing her dirty parts if she hasn't had a bath and I also bought her some kid deoderant.  I just thought it was WAY too early for that to start!

Her mom lets her eat all kinds of junk and she is slightly overweight so I can't help but think her diet has something to do with it.  How early does BO typically start??

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Re: Body Odor

  • neverblushedneverblushed member

    True story:  early in the spring, when my DD was nine, my kids had been playing outside for a while.  That evening, I walked through my kids' bathroom and noticed that the whole bathroom and playroom reeked of American Girl apple-scented body splash.

    I asked my kids what was up, and my DD sheepishly said she had sprayed a bunch of it on her armpits because "after I came inside from playing, I noticed my armpits smelled bad!"  She hasn't gone through any other aspects of puberty yet -- she was just a little more sweaty and smelly than normal.

    I explained that an ounce of clean-smelling, antiperspirant prevention in this case is worth a pound of apple-scented cure.  The next time we were at Wal-Mart, I let her pick out a deodorant she liked.  She doesn't wear it every day, because she doesn't need it every day.  But it's there for her if she gets stinky.  And she can start getting in the habit in a low-key way.

    So, I don't think it's impossible for kids to start to have a little B.O. if they get particularly sweaty, even if they don't have teenager hormones. 

     

    High School English teacher and mom of 2 kids:

    DD, born 9/06/00 -- 12th grade
    DS, born 8/25/04 -- 7th grade
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  • ali-1411ali-1411 member
    We started giving DS a stronger soap around 6 years old because he was getting stinky.  I don't think its so much about puberty or BO...more like they don't really wash themselves very well.  Kids are gross, disgusting creatures like that :)
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  • MrsSRMrsSR member
    I teach 3rd and always have a few kids who are stinky after gym or recess.  I don't think it has to do with their diets...they are just stinker for some reason.  We have have our own odors...lol
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  • debbiezoeydebbiezoey
    image-auntie-:

    I really like this book for explaining hygiene to girls this age-

    https://www.amazon.com/Care-Keeping-You-American-Library/dp/1562476661/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1294135055&sr=1-1

    Thanks for the advice on this book!  I went over to Amazon and did some research elsewhere and got this book plus 3 others:

    1.  "The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls

    2.  "The Feelings Book: The Care & Keeping of Your Emotions

    3.  "Friends: Making Them & Keeping Them

    4.  "Is This Normal?: Girls Questions, Answered by the Editors of the Care & Keeping of You

    They had get 4 for the price of 3, plus the usual free shipping over $25!  Got all 4 for $28!  Something to have on hand when the time is right.  Some of them I'll give her right away!

    Debbie

     

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  • mama.bearmama.bear

    2 years ago DD's 5th grade teacher had deodorant on the school supplies list and asked that all kids apply it before gym. I think body odor is common at that age.

    I agree, "The Care and Keeping of You" is a great book!

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  • SariePSarieP
    5th grade I could totally understand!  My SD is in 2nd grade though . . .  It just seems really really young. 
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  • blueshirt2003blueshirt2003
    My son had a few months in kindergarten where he definitely had some armpit odor. I think it just varies. 
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  • blueshirt2003blueshirt2003

    imageSarieP:
    5th grade I could totally understand!  My SD is in 2nd grade though . . .  It just seems really really young. 

    It is young but it's not unheard of. She could just need it for a few months and then it go away or she's just ready to use it all of the time. Either way, it's no biggy IMO. At least it isn't her getting her period in 2nd at least (just looking on the bright side).

    Good luck! 

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  • SariePSarieP
    It's funny you said that because I said something similar to DH. I said "well I guess it could be worse . . you know these kids get boobs and start their periods earlier too." He very promptly said he was done talking about that!  I think he is in denial that she is growing up.
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  • hokies94hokies94 member

    imageSarieP:
    5th grade I could totally understand!  My SD is in 2nd grade though . . .  It just seems really really young. 

    My DD is 7 and in 2nd grade.  Occasionally she will get BO and funky armpits.  I've noticed that it happens if it's warmer and she hasn't had a shower in a few days-we don't shower every day.  I haven't given her deodorant yet, showering more seems to do the trick right now.

    She's warm blooded-she is always warm no matter how cold it is. Just like her Dad.  I think this makes her more prone to BO.  She's not overweight and has a fairly good diet so I don't think either of these are a factor.  

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  • Erina1004Erina1004
    No, its normal.  My 8 yo DD just recently started having BO.  I bought her some all natural deodorant.  Diet and weight may play a small role, but my daughter is a string bean and eats mainly fruits and vegetables & yogurt. 
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