My DD just started her period

[JFCO]

My DD is only 10 and half years old and started her period. I don't know what to do. Apart from talking to her about it and giving her my sanitary towel, I am not sure about...anything. What sanitary product should I buy for her? OMG, I am freaking out! Wasn't expecting this. She is only 10

[Nat6999]

Buy a few starter packs of different pads for her to try & decide which she finds best, maybe thicker ones for at night & thinner ones for during the day. Buy her a makeup type bag for her to put in her school bag when she goes back to school & maybe let her teacher know so that she doesn't have to tell them herself. Stock up on painkillers as well & let her have a bath towel in her room in case of leaks at night or for if her next one starts unexpectedly at night. Maybe also a dirty washing bag so she can pop any stained pants or pyjamas in as well.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

All very good advice from the PP..

The Starter Pack I got DD was this one. Then I just bought a variety of pads and tampons until she found ones she liked.

I'd also try to get her some period isn't like Modibodi Teen and the book The Care & Keeping of You.

I'd also have a look on the Preteens Section as there are some threads about periods and puberty in there

[FippertyGibbett]

Different pads. Ones with wings and without wings so that she can decide what she likes.
Some black knickers
And make sure you tell school when she goes back. She will need access to clean pads and a sani bin.

[Maryann1975]

After having lots of leaks, Mainly overnight, I bought some period pants for dd. Dd wears them with pads as an added layer of protection and we don’t end up with stained bed sheets. I’ve since bought myself some and When dd2 starts, I will definitely get her some too as they give dd1 so much reassurance. I’m a true convert to them.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

After having lots of leaks, Mainly overnight, I bought some period pants for dd. Dd wears them with pads as an added layer of protection and we don’t end up with stained bed sheets. I’ve since bought myself some and When dd2 starts, I will definitely get her some too as they give dd1 so much reassurance. I’m a true convert to them.

We're the same. DD wears them overnight on her heavier days with a pad and she wears them to school too mainly for the convenience and reassurance.

[Ohdeariedear]

@Nat6999 gives really good advice.

My DD had hers about every 3 weeks to start with so keep a note in your diary about when she’s next due, as she might not get her head round it for a while.

[Thethingswedoforlove]

Have a look and see if you could afford period pants. A game changer. Red/ modibodi are all dd2 (13) uses during her periods. No pads at all. No leaks. No smells. Just an effort to wash. But her life is so much easier than her older sister who still wears pads. I don’t work for them. I just really recommend period pants.

[EnjoyingTheSilence]

Teach her how to wash the bloody out of any clothes or sheets when she leaks, cold water and shampoo

[Lougle]

I'd agree with period pants. DD1(15) still wears age 9-10 knickers and it's so hard to get a sanitary towel to fit on them.

[julesover40]

Boots do a starter pack, by lilets I think that comes with a small bag, various sizes of pads/tampons and a booklet.
My dd also had modi pants but only uses if very heavy and on pe days at school. Also got her modi bikini bottoms for swimming. They are a game changer.
Stock up on calpol/paracetamol and a hot water bottle or microwave hottie to ease any tummy cramps x

[harknesswitch]

Lilets do a starter pack with smaller tampons and towels in a nice little bag.

My dd was only 10, I really felt for her as she was so little at the time

[minou123]

Excellent advice from posters.

Just from a personal point of view. I was 10 when I started my periods and I felt quite alone.
None of my friends had thier period, so in my friendship group I was alone.
Luckily I have an older sister who talked to me about it.

[isthismylifenow]

My dd was also 10 and I was also not very well prepared, as in I hadn't thought about starter packs etc to have handy in the house. And she started just before we were leaving to go on the school run.

Although it seems very young, it is quite normal to start at this age. I was a late starter so I am not sure why she started so young, it wasnt related to body weight either as she was a tiny 10 year old. I bought her the teen pads to start with and even they were massive for her.

We didn't have the period pants then, but if we did, I would have bought her some of these.

My dd did have a lot of problems wearing disposable pads, they broke her out in an awful rash. She couldnt wear disposable nappies either as a baby so she's allergic to something in there. So I bought her reusable pads and she has used these for years now, and says they are much more comfortable that disposables (even without a rash).

[WhatTheFoot]

My youngest dd is 10 and a half and I don't think she's far away. I've gone through it all with her and we always have sanitary products in but I think I might look at the pants for her.

[Abraxan]

Dd was 10 and after the initial,shock it was fine. She had a make up bag to take out with her with spare underwear, pads (her choice, she preferred the longer length ones, she was fairly heavy from the start too) wipes and paracetamol (she got a fair bit of pain, initially had a couple of calpol fast melts as easy to take without water)

She got in really well using a period tracker app on her iPad. Initially I tracker with her too.

By the end of primary school about 1/4-1/3 of the girls had started.

[Costacoffeeplease]

Its not that unusual, I had just turned 10 when my periods started. I’m now 55

[Incyra]

OP can I ask if there were any warnings signs that she may start. My dd is yr6 and she has changes to her body but she won't even entertain the idea that she should maybe carry pads with her to school or anything. Did it come all of a sudden?

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

OP can I ask if there were any warnings signs that she may start. My dd is yr6 and she has changes to her body but she won't even entertain the idea that she should maybe carry pads with her to school or anything. Did it come all of a sudden?

Could you convince her to carry pads just in case any of her friends ever need them?

[Incyra]

I could try? When they had a talk at school there were free sanitary towels and all the girls took one but she refused to. She gets really upset if I mention it. I'm not sure why as I have tried to nit make it a taboo like it was when I was a child .

[JFCO]

Thank You, Everyone, for excellent advice! Will look into period pants and different pads. Fortunately, DD is quite calm about it and is alright. She has no pain, also. It came suddenly and unexpectedly. We had a good talk last night, I am going to buy her a book (recommended by PP- thank YOU!) And period App is a very good idea!
I am over the initial shock, I think, now
Thank You!

[bonfireheart]

What period pants would others recommend for a child of that age? We tried one brand with DD12 and weren't very good.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

What period pants would others recommend for a child of that age? We tried one brand with DD12 and weren't very good

My DD started using the Modibodi teen range at that age

[DriftGames]

Make sure she knows she can talk to you openly about it. I always had this reassurance with my mum and it was very helpful. My little sister started hers last night (turned 11 in sept) and I've said she can always chat to me.

I'm 26 and use a menstrual cup but I've suggested my sister use period pants after seeing similar recommendations to the above.

Couple of treats, a new book/dvd and a hot water bottle to cheer her up. It's such a big step in a girls life, you just need to make her feel as comfortable as possible.

[cherrypie111]

Why are you waiting till now to talk to her about it? Many girls start their periods from 9 onwards. 10 isn't young for it.

Buy some pads, explain what's happening if you haven't already (which would be shocking I may add) and see how she gets on

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Why are you waiting till now to talk to her about it? Many girls start their periods from 9 onwards. 10 isn't young for it.

Buy some pads, explain what's happening if you haven't already (which would be shocking I may add) and see how she gets on

Not very helpful cherry. The OP's DD has already started her periods and is after some advice on how to help her.