Deodorant for a Third Grader?????

[dejr_8]

My 3rd grade son needs to use deodorant. (what a way to start a post!)

Is that Normal these days?

 

[Jennifer S]

yes it's normal. I have a friend whose son started in 1st grade - my son was 6th- so it depends on the child. Just make sure you use deoderant only and not anti-perspirant.

 

[slo]

My 9yr old DD, who is in 3rd grade, just started using deodorant a couple of weeks ago too. I was as equally surprised as you are??? In fact, I even PM'd my good friend, fellow DISer, who has a DD around the same age, and she uses it too. Our children are growing up so fast

 

[Cindy B]

Totally normal.

 

[dejr_8]

yes it's normal. I have a friend whose son started in 1st grade - my son was 6th- so it depends on the child. Just make sure you use deoderant only and not anti-perspirant.

Why is that?

 

[slo]

yes it's normal. I have a friend whose son started in 1st grade - my son was 6th- so it depends on the child. Just make sure you use deoderant only and not anti-perspirant.

I didn't know this.
Would you please let us know why - thanks!!!!

 

[java]

I am thinking the poster means make sure it is ALSO a deodorant- not just an antipersperant.(In other words if you just stop the sweating it doesn't always stop the odor) But not wanting to put words in their mouth that is just my guess.

 

[coles1mom]

Deoderant vs. anti-perspirant
Some studies have linked A/P to cancer. Some studies say it's unfounded.

 

[Jennifer S]

I didn't know this.
Would you please let us know why - thanks!!!!

My friends pediatrician said it is too strong for kids. I forget exactly what else he said. It was a few years ago but I do remember her telling me her doctor said kids sholudn't use a a/p.


EDIt - found this in an article

A concentration of toxins leads to cell mutations: a.k.a. CANCER. Yes, ANTI-PERSPIRANT. Most of the products out there are an anti-perspirant/deodorant combination, so go home and check. Deodorant is fine, anti-perspirant is not. Here's why: The human body has a few areas that it uses to purge toxins; behind the knees, behind the ears, groin area, and armpits. The toxins are purged in the form of perspiration. Anti-perspirant, as the name clearly indicates, prevents you from perspiring, thereby inhibiting the body from purging toxins from below the armpits. These toxins do not just magically disappear. Instead, the body deposits them in the lymph nodes below the arms since it and cannot sweat them out.

 

[Soulsearching]

I would talk to your pediatrician about this. My nephew had bad body odor at a young age and growing rapidly. He was tested, it seems that he was going into puberty. He had a Gene (I forget what it's called, I just know I will get it wrong but it stunts your growth).

His mother and father carried the gene and did not know it. They had the whole family tested. They have a large family 5 boys, two of the boys have the Gene and are now taking medication to grow normally.

This was not to scare you, just to make you aware it could be something more.

 

[Cantw8]

My little stink bomb was 5 when I discovered she needed it....unfortunately, we were in a line for Splash Mountain, early September, inside...so I'm sure quite a few other poor folks discovered it too

 

[singingpixie]

I don't have kids, but I know I started using it in 3rd grade- and I was slow about all the other milestones, so I always figured I was later than average w/ that too! I think he's fine.

 

[Todd&Copper]

I started using it in second grade, at age 9. I was a year or two ahead of most of my friends developmentally speaking.

 

[Carl]

And just think, in the good old days (50's,) we didn't have to start using it until we were 13.

 

[DVCLiz]

My friends pediatrician said it is too strong for kids. I forget exactly what else he said. It was a few years ago but I do remember her telling me her doctor said kids sholudn't use a a/p.


EDIt - found this in an article

A concentration of toxins leads to cell mutations: a.k.a. CANCER. Yes, ANTI-PERSPIRANT. Most of the products out there are an anti-perspirant/deodorant combination, so go home and check. Deodorant is fine, anti-perspirant is not. Here's why: The human body has a few areas that it uses to purge toxins; behind the knees, behind the ears, groin area, and armpits. The toxins are purged in the form of perspiration. Anti-perspirant, as the name clearly indicates, prevents you from perspiring, thereby inhibiting the body from purging toxins from below the armpits. These toxins do not just magically disappear. Instead, the body deposits them in the lymph nodes below the arms since it and cannot sweat them out.

Could you quote that source, please? That sounds like "junk science" to me. The human body doesn't mark off just a few areas to perspire - in fact, I'm not sure the body purges anything through the sweat glands. I know a moist area of the body is a good place for bacteria to grow, but I'm not sure I buy the purging toxins theory.

 

[Laurabearz]

I started using it in second grade, at age 9. I was a year or two ahead of most of my friends developmentally speaking.

You were 9 in second grade???

My oldest is 8... I suppose i need to start Pit checks....

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

DD started needing it in first grade!

We also choose to play it safe and use deoderant only.

 

[PlutosFriend]

You were 9 in second grade???

My oldest is 8... I suppose i need to start Pit checks....

Pit check I bet you would know if they needed it! This year at our school fun fair, I was working the cake walk, and there was a 4th grade boy doing the game that had terrible body odor! How his parents could not smell him and just help the poor kid out, is beyond me!

 

[RitaZ.]

There is no need for "pit checks" , you'll know when he/she needs it. My DS#1 had to start using it in 3rd grade. The onion smell was the sign that he needed it. My DS#2 started using it 5th grade. DD is in 4th grade and she doesn't need it, yet.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Pit check I bet you would know if they needed it! This year at our school fun fair, I was working the cake walk, and there was a 4th grade boy doing the game that had terrible body odor! How his parents could not smell him and just help the poor kid out, is beyond me!

yeah - no need for pit checks here! When DD isn't being diligent, I don't need to get that close!!!

the problem with needing it htis early, is that they are not to the point where they care what others think yet!!! I wish DD were better about taking care of it!