When should kids start using deodorant??

[Mom2Nick]

My Dh and I are having a difference of opinion (). My 9 yr old is in a sport camp and sweats. He see us use deodorant and he thinks he needs it because he sweats. I say he is too young to start with deodorant. That he doesn't need it until he has hair in his arm pits. My Dh says just let him use it no big deal. I'm not thrilled to start the whole chemical use thing with him. What do you think???

He should use it when he becomes uncomfortable with the sweting and/or when he smells. The arm pit hair should not be a deciding factor. It's not like arm pit hair suddenly makes a good smelling, dry boy into a smelly, sweaty man.

Let the kid wear deodorant if he wants to.

 

[torinsmom]

I think it varies from kid to kid. My DS did not start smelling until he was 13. Since then, if he doesn't put on deodorant first thing in the morning, I have to run him into a different room! He had friends who started wearing it at 8 or 9, because they had BO that young. I'd say if he smells, let him wear the deo.

Marsha

 

[dislal]

My DS9 just started wearing it a few months ago, but he doesnt put it on every day if I know we will be out in the heat all day I will remind him, but when we just hang at home with the AC on I don't remind him, so he might wear it once a week, when school starts if it is going to be a hot day I will remind him, but in the winter maybe not.

A funny story my DD11 and DS9 just went with my SIL for a few weeks and DD11 was helping DS9 pack for the trip(and I overheard her tell him make sure you have your deoderant, because I don't want to smell you),well when I went to check his bag to make sure they packed enough stuff I must have knocked his deoderant out, because after they left it was still laying on the table. I forgot to ask them about it but I am sure she is mad at him for forgetting it. They remind me of an old married couple.

 

[pyrxtc]

I will say, when they smell, as well but both my boys (5 & 8) both smell when they play hard outside in the sun. You can smell them from across the room at times. I just send them back out to run under the psrinkler or into the shower so they don't go to bed that way and stink up their sheet. It won't be long before my DS8 starts wearing something.

 

[crazee4mickey]

When they start to smell.

Yup, I couldn't agree more---doesn't matter about age but when they start to smell!
I was going to post exactly this but then thought I should read others posts first

 

[MM27]

As a teacher to 9 and 10 year olds, I can tell you that many of them need deodorant at that age. It gets really funky in my classroom towards the end of the year. A bunch of sweaty boys coming back from gym or recess does not make for a pleasant smelling room.

 

[CathrynRose]

That he doesn't need it until he has hair in his arm pits. What do you think???

My 14 y/o still doesn't have hairy pits, and there is NO way I'd be cool with him not using deodorant.

They need it before hair.

 

[Lanshark]

Come into my classroom after recess or PE and you'll know that they begin to smell around 4th grade. It's been 100 degrees the past two days in Atlanta and it sure smells like it.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

3rd grade for my dd's, so about age 8.

 

[MariDisney]

My DD started having a little body odor at 8 during dance class, etc. She started wearing it then.

 

[Erin1700]

I have told everyone this here before...my DD8 is treated for precocious puberty. Even before she started treatment, body odor at 6 yrs old, was not one of her symptoms. Now that she is treated, she does not have it. She has asked about it though, and I have no clue if I should get her some. I think the dr said she wouldnt have it until treatment stopped. So, I guess I have no clue either!

 

[aprilgail2]

Go spend some time in a 4th grade classroom after recess and you will change your mind quickly. Some kids need it as early as 7 or 8 and others don't need it until 12.

WHY on earth would you not want your kid to take care of basic hygiene?

On my daughters school supply lists the 4th grade teachers noted to please have the kids wear deodorant because by the afternoon the classroom gets unbearable! My daughter is no where near puberty but she has been wearing deodorant since she was 8.

 

[stsomewhere]

My DS's 4th grade teacher told them that they needed to wear deo. every day.

DD-8 was excited becasue she just got deodorant because it was listed on her summercamp packing list.

 

[IDoDis]

My DS started using it when he was 8. I was helping him take off a shirt and when he lifted his arms I nearly passed out! It was not just a hot, sticky smell -- It was full-blown BO. He also started getting white head pimples on his nose at age 8.

 

[Andy B]

Everyone sweats whatever their age but body odour normally begins with the start of puberty, a deodourant when he starts to smell but an antiperspirant will enhibit the sweating most sprays are a combination.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Congrats on having a boy, especially at age 9, that is even thinking about hygiene. Most of us boy parents are trying to encourage the use of a shower and soap on a daily basis and that 3 days of dirt is not a badge of honor. Don't discourage him - you have a very, very rare gift there

Oh my gosh that is exactly what I was thinking
DS10 is just too "busy" to want to shower, or clean his nails, or brush his teeth or put on deodorant. . . . UHG! I dislike nagging him to do it, but I dislike smelling him more so I do He only started needing the deodarnt this spring (at age 10) BTW (using the same criteria most posters do--when he had BO). DD needed it by age 8.

 

[familyS]

In our school district, deodorant is mandatory for physical eduction class starting in 4th grade.

Now, do they all actually wear it? I don't think so

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If your DS wants to wear it, buy some. Obviously he is offending himself.

 

[familyS]

If your DS wants to wear it, buy some. Obviously he is offending himself.

 

[mjkacmom]

When he asks, or when he stinks, whatever comes first. Ds has been wearing it since he was eight, because he stunk. Definitely before hair!