There’s no doubt about it, there are some positively adorable outfits for little girls out there nowadays. While you may enjoy dressing your mini-me to the nines day in and day out, you may also be shocked at how quickly she is outgrowing her clothes. Whether you love or hate shopping for kids’ clothes, with every trip to the store to replace an outgrown outfit you’re probably wondering, “When do girls stop growing?” Find out what experts say you can expect as your little darling grows from a toddling child to a strong young woman.
When Do Girls Stop Growing?
“Girls will begin their growth spurt one year or so prior to beginning their period,” explains Dr. Natasha Burgert, a general pediatrician and the founder of KC Kids Doc. “While the age is variable — and driven by genetics — girls will usually stop growing earlier than boys, around age 11 or 12.” While you can’t fully predict the age your child will begin puberty, a good indication is her mother’s age of first menstruation. Genetic factors play a role in onset of puberty so if you were an early or late bloomer, odds are your daughter may follow suit.
“The growth spurt is the result of hormonal surges, as is the entire progression of puberty,” explains Dr. Mark Gettleman, a pediatrician and the founder of Dr. Goofy Gettwell Pediatrics. “Girls will also experience breast development, pubic hair, underarm hair and menarche as puberty progresses. Remember, hormones are raging during this time, so mood swings and emotional lability are common.”
Girls tend to pass through puberty and their growth phase at a much faster rate than boys. It starts earlier and then slows down after menarche. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, girls can grow about 2 inches each year. “On average, girls will experience steady growth for about two years after they start their period, and then slow down. They experience no significant growth post-menarche.
A female growth spurt happens fast and then it is over,” says Dr. Burgert. That is, most of the growth happens before girls get their period, and then they might gain another inch or two, but that’s it. At what age do girls stop growing? Most will reach their full adult height between the ages of 15 and 17, depending on when puberty began.
What Else to Expect During Puberty
Does it seem like your new teen is constantly tripping over her own two feet? Don’t worry if your once graceful preteen seems to stumble more frequently — clumsiness comes with the territory, according to Dr. Gettleman. “During a growth spurt, the head, hands and feet are the first things to grow, followed by growth in the arms and legs, and finally the torso and shoulders catch up with the rest of the body.
This is why adolescents typically go through an awkward, clumsy stage.” Rest assured, her coordination will return once the body has caught up with those growing feet, arms and legs.
You may also notice a greater need for sleep during the teen years. It’s OK to let her sleep in on the weekends — in fact, experts agree that your growing teenager needs more sleep than ever, so let her get some extra zzz’s whenever she can.
Finally, make sure to keep healthy snacks on hand, as she is sure to experience an increase in appetite. “Nutrition is very important during the puberty and growth process,” notes Dr. Gettleman. “Taking in good calories (and more of them) is needed, along with plenty of calcium and iron in menstruating girls. Also avoid carbonated drinks, which can leach calcium from growing bones.”
Though females follow a more predictable growth pattern than males, it’s important to remember each individual will develop at their own pace, so try not to stress if your child seems to be out of the norm compared to her friends.
“If you have concerns about your child’s growth or height, talk to your pediatrician during the grade school years. Once they hit high school it’s too late for interventions if growth problems exist,” notes Dr. Burgert. “Also, if your daughter hasn’t started her period by age 16, mention it to your doctor.” Puberty is an exciting — albeit challenging — time in your child’s life. As a parent, you get to sit back and weather the storm as you help her make her final transformation into adulthood.
WE ASKED: How much does a babysitter make in your neighborhood?
Victoria Georgoff is a freelance writer and psychotherapist who enjoys writing about parenting, helping other parents and, of course, being a parent herself.