Children and deodorant

[cgcw]

I apologize if this is kind of a gross subject, but.....

When do kids start wearing deodorant?? Last night, I went to sit next to my DS8 and had to move away. I couldn't believe it - he smelled like he had been working in the hot sun, slaving away all day. I know that he showers every day and I don't think he was overly playing yesterday to cause a sweat. I'm wondering, is it time to start him using deodorant on a daily basis?? Or, is there something else that could be causing this and should I be checking with the pediatrician? Thanks for any help!

 

[caitycaity]

i think i started using deodorant in 3-4 grade.

 

[aahmom1]

My son is 10 and he's been using it for at least a year now.

 

[Mskanga]

My DD is 9 and she has been using it for months now....if she feels better with it I don't see a problem with it.

 

[Michelle]

My daughter started needing it when she was SEVEN, although not on a daily basis. I was a little surprised by that too, butnow at 9 she's moving full throttle into the puberty years, ugh.

 

[CRB#33]

My DS needed it in 4th grade. I also have to remind him to wash under his arms. Children have a tendancy to stand in the shower and think that just water running over them has magical cleansing properties Sometimes experimenting with a different soap can help also.

 

[Jeafl]

My DD started wearing deodorant as soon as she needed it, which was about 4th grade. I bought her the "Teen Stick" and she thought it was kind of cool to be using something for teens. I guess it made her feel grown up.

My son just turned 10 and even though he is very active and plays hockey, he still doesn't smell. I guess it just depends on the kid.

 

[DisneyMim]

Really it depends when they need it. Mine both started around 4th grade. They have always been very active so I was always very aware that they should use it as soon as they need it. Funny you should bring this up, but my son (now in 9th grade) has told me recently that he thinks some kids are still not using it. I think this is really sad. Parents are the ones who need to tell their kids about things like this. It reminds me of girls shaving their legs too. My daughter didn't need totoo early (she takes after my blonde hubby), but I am very dark and had very hairy legs at an early age. Thank goodness my Mom was way cool and understood completely how I felt. If you think he needs it now it would be a good time to start. Pretty soon he will be living in the shower and spending tons of time with his hair, etc. It's sooooo cute!!!

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

This thread has been enlightening. My DS is 8 and doesn't need deodorant yet, however I thought I still had several years before even having to consider it. Do kids mature faster these days? I think I was in middle school before I needed deodorant.

 

[Lynn CC]

DS started using deodorant in 4th grade.

I get him a non-alumminum brand such as... Toms of Maine or Kiss My Face, Old Spice makes a Deodorant without Aluminum as well.
His pediatrician told me not to use Alumminum. Also, my sister's oncologist said the same thing to me.

 

[swanmom]

Cgcw,
Funny you should bring this up now. My DD (4th grade) came home yesterday saying that the school nurse had been into their class discussing deodorants and what they do and what different kinds there are. Nurse told them to start to talk about it with their parents. DD thought the nurse was very funny because she said "You should discuss it with your parents now and think about whether or not you need it sooner rather than later........After all, have you smelled some of those fifth grade classrooms?" DD thought that was hysterical. I thought that, given the fifth grade classrooms I've been in, it was pretty accurate!

 

[WilmaBud]

I do think kids are maturing earlier. My son is just turning 9, and I've noticed he stinks when he sweats (especially his head). I'm going to get him some deodorant soon. He already has to take a shower every morning, and he has to wash his hair twice. he's got really thick hair, and I guess the sweat gets trapped in there. I can't stand the smell of a dirty, sweaty head! LOL! I guess I'm in an "icky" mood today, too!

 

[goofy4tink]

And so the fun begins. My dd is now 9 and it looks like puberty is starting to catch her. Her older sister, now 26, didn't start with this stuff until she was 11 or so. But, now my dd has to wash her hair every other day. If not, it looks just plain icky. And I have to remind her to 'wash' in the shower too. Just running water is not getting it done for her anymore. Looks like deoderant isn't too far down the road. Ah well. Time marches on.

 

[disykat]

My 10 YO DS doesn't smell yet either, but his hair does! His best friend started wearing deoderant at age 7 and needed it.

 

[SeaSpray]

In our town, near the end of 5th grade they have a "Mom and Daughter Night" and then a "Dad and Son" night where they have a doctor come in to discuss puberty, their changing bodies, and they give the kids "goodie bags" with deodorant, a new toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, etc. along with a booklet telling them how to take care of their personal needs. I think the girls' kits also had some feminine napkins too. The kids can ask any questions they want and the doctor answers it.

Of course parents should be, and mostly are, teaching their kids about this, but I know both of my sons went with DH to "Dad and Son" night and from that time on they started to use deodorant. LOL I still remind them to wash themselves ALL over while in the shower and not to forget their deodorant! CRB#33 is right, I think they sometimes think that just being under running water will get them clean, but it doesn't. LOL

 

[Keli]

My little brother was 6 yrs old when he started to need deodorant every day. And I do mean every day, you could really tell on the days that he forgot. His body odor was as strong as a grown man's. He didn't mature faster than other boys in any other way though, physically or mentally, which meant he didn't care if he stunk so my mom had to remind him every morning to use his deodorant before going to school.

 

[RitaZ.]

I posted about this when my son was in 3rd grade. I'll never forget Robinrs response, it was something to the effect of "let your nose be your guide". LOL

My oldest DS has been using it since 3rd grade. So, let your nose be your guide...

 

[Kallison]

I started oldest DS at the beginning of 5th grade, at the end of the year they had a health class and gave them all a sample. The man teacher told them to "use it" - lol! DS felt very grown up as he was already using it. I'll start middle DS end of this year, he is in 4th, he needs it.

 

[ColoradoBuffaloMom]

I just had a deoderant conversation with my 13 DD right before i got on the DIS! What timing.

She just finished PE for the year (she's in 7th grade) so I was washing her PE clothes and her deoderant from school was in the pile of clothes. It looked like the deoderant hadn't been used at all so I asked her if she used it and she said, No, I use it in the morning. I said you need to use it after PE too and she just gave me that look that 13 year old girls do that says "Geez Mom, just leave me alone."

I'm not sure how to chat with her about personal hygeine without her getting mad and not listening. The other day I offered to buy her cover up for her face since she is breaking out but she said no even tho I said we could get soemthing perfect for 13 year olds. Ugh. I think she thinks if we don't talk about this it will go away but it won't.

Never a dull moment, right?

 

[alabamaalan]

When I was in middle school, it was trendy to use a spritzing breath spray, as well as a hip comb, but let's not go there.

One morning, while half asleep, I grabbed my aerosal deoderant and sprayed it into my mouth out of habit.

It was a great anti-persperant because I immediately threw my head under the faucet and started drinking and all the water beaded up the roof of my mouth!



I'm somewhat better now.....