(Yet another) Question about boy’s puberty

[Anonymous]

My 12.5 year old has some signs of puberty (a little hair down there, per his self-report and very faint peach fuzz) but hasn’t had a growth spurt yet. He’s not short by any means, but friends are going through 6 or more inches of growth within a few months. He’s wondering if a growth spurt could be the last thing to happen as opposed to other signs of puberty. He doesn’t have his well check until later this spring, so no chance to ask the doctor just yet.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

The growth spurt usually comes later- toward the middle/end of puberty. Usually the fastest growth is about 2yrs after puberty begins. 12 is on the early side for a growth spurt, for boys.

My DS was on a similar timeline and didn’t start his growth spurt until around 13.5-14.

My 12yo is similar to your DS- has beginning signs but no growth spurt yet, and we don’t expect it for awhile.

There is such a wide range of normal. A lot of boys do have that big spurt at 12 but plenty of others won’t until 13-14 or even later.

[Anonymous]

Some boys don't really have a "spurt", like the 6" in a year kind of spurt. My DS grew a steady on average 2" every year. His spurt was at 16/17, all of 3.5". He started out short going into HS, then just kept growing steadily. At 17.5, he's still growing steadily while all of his friends have stopped growing. He's now 5.10" and still growing per his ped.

Granted, he was a late bloomer.

[Anonymous]

Your son is right and boys do have their major growth "spurt" later in puberty (vs. girls who experience it earlier in puberty). My son had hair down there for a while before he started his major growth. He was on the late side, he didn't start his big spurt until 14, well after most of his friends/classmates had started growing.

[Anonymous]

My DS did not start his growth spurt until a little after age 13, then grew 6 inches in a year.

[Anonymous]

I think every kid is different. My son started puberty on the earlier side and was really just a steady grower. A foot taller by the end of three years. The growing was happening during the whole time though it wasn't one of these 6 inches over the summer situations.

From what I saw of his friends, some did have that many inches in a short period thing. They usually seemed to be the ones on the later end of things, but who knows.

[Anonymous]

I love these threads. I'll read every one of them.

My DS is 13.5 with few signs of puberty (only slight BO if not showered), still losing his baby teeth, and is 5'1".

I know he's in the range of normal but it's good to hear other people's experiences. He feels like a Lilliputian in a world of giants. He's not, of course. There are other boys his same size but he feels tiny right now.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for your responses! I have a high school daughter and it’s been so interesting to see how her growth stopped at an age where his hasn’t even begun.

My son has also been a slow but steady grower. Certainly no major growth spurts as a younger child..he’ll just have to keep chugging along. And it’s so shocking to see how some kids really do shoot up many inches in a matter of months! Incredible!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love these threads. I'll read every one of them.

My DS is 13.5 with few signs of puberty (only slight BO if not showered), still losing his baby teeth, and is 5'1".

I know he's in the range of normal but it's good to hear other people's experiences. He feels like a Lilliputian in a world of giants. He's not, of course. There are other boys his same size but he feels tiny right now.

OP here- is the presence of baby teeth an indicator that puberty hasn’t really started? Mine still has 4 or 5 baby teeth (all are loose though) and the orthodontist didn’t indicate whether this is considered late or not.

My son plays basketball and baseball. Obviously basketball attracts tall kids but even in baseball…there are 6’ 12 year olds. That might be skewing my son’s perspective 😬

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love these threads. I'll read every one of them.

My DS is 13.5 with few signs of puberty (only slight BO if not showered), still losing his baby teeth, and is 5'1".

I know he's in the range of normal but it's good to hear other people's experiences. He feels like a Lilliputian in a world of giants. He's not, of course. There are other boys his same size but he feels tiny right now.

This is my DS, too, who is 14.5. He's grown an inch in 4 months and put on 11 pounds, so he's hopeful.. but is very aware of the "trees" in his class. It doesn't help that my DH reminds him that he didn't finish his own growth spurt until college!
"

[Anonymous]

OP- my youngest turns 15 in April and has not had his major growth spurt or voice change yet. He has hair everywhere (no facial) and other signs, but shorter than most teammates now.

His brother started his growth spurt a month or so before he turned 15. So it was late too. He's still growing. Feet just became a 12, close to 6 feet now. He was my younger one's height (maybe shorter) at 15, but since he had a thicker, stockier build it didn't seem as he was as as small. My youngest has a super fast metabolism so he is very, very skinny and very active. It's a challenge to get enough proteins/calories in him.

And, yes, many of my son's friends pretty much stopped growing before my kids even started their growth spurt.

I was at a U15 soccer game last night and the size differences among kids was astounding. Some very tall, facial hair, filled out muscles--and some like my kid--baby faced, skinny and shorter. I think he's around 5'5" now--maybe slightly taller, but was one of the smallest out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP- my youngest turns 15 in April and has not had his major growth spurt or voice change yet. He has hair everywhere (no facial) and other signs, but shorter than most teammates now.

His brother started his growth spurt a month or so before he turned 15. So it was late too. He's still growing. Feet just became a 12, close to 6 feet now. He was my younger one's height (maybe shorter) at 15, but since he had a thicker, stockier build it didn't seem as he was as as small. My youngest has a super fast metabolism so he is very, very skinny and very active. It's a challenge to get enough proteins/calories in him.

And, yes, many of my son's friends pretty much stopped growing before my kids even started their growth spurt.

I was at a U15 soccer game last night and the size differences among kids was astounding. Some very tall, facial hair, filled out muscles--and some like my kid--baby faced, skinny and shorter. I think he's around 5'5" now--maybe slightly taller, but was one of the smallest out there.

Oh--pps. My kid still had baby teeth too. I'm not even sure 14 year old has lost all of them yet. Lost a few in the Fall. It's all signs of normal, delayed growth.

[Anonymous]

With the fast/delayed growth spurt came many growth related sports injuries for my kid---first knees, then groin, hips, etc. Ortho said muscles didn't catch up to femur growth yet and it takes awhile. Really has thrown off his Junior year sports. Missed all of Fall season--and he had been talking with college coaches, but now has zero highlight reels for the Fall and missed 3 showcases.

[Anonymous]

My son is turning 13 next month. He used to be of average height, now he’s the shortest of his peers. No signs of puberty. It doesn’t help he’s on stimulants on ADHD. Hoping he’ll get to his predicted height of 5ft 11in!

[Anonymous]

I appreciate the PP who said their sons just grew steadily. Mine is almost 12 and is 5'3"; doctor says his growth chart predicts 5'10" at adulthood, so I wondered how any "spurt" would fit in there.

His limbs are hairy and he's becoming less of a bean pole. That's as much as I would expect right now.

And yes, I love these discussions!