Super sensitive DD and periods - tips from mothers with similar DDs please

[margaritasbythesea]

10 yo DD has just started her periods. I was expecting it and have talked to her before about whit it is and told her to be prepared, so no particular problem there.

The problem is is that she is physically super sensitive and always has been. She hates the seams on her socks and knickers, won´t wear anything other than cotton. She won´t wear tops with embroidery, high necks, 3/4 length sleeves or anything other than leggings on her legs as she says they are not comfortable.

Let´s just say she is not liking the feel of a pad at all.

She has seen adverts for Thinx period pants and wants those but she is super slim and I don´t think they will fit her. I also can´t afford them as they are around 30 pounds a pair (and at her age she will grow out of them).

I tried cotton towels once and liked the feeling of them even less than a disposable towel so am reluctant to try that.

Are there any other better solutions than telling her she just has to get used to it?

Thanks again for all your ideas. We are starting out this time with the teen ones in a little bag Daisy Dreaming mentioned. It´s all we could really find today. They´re made for smaller bodies so hopefully they will be more confortable.

They do have wings but I am going to try the double knicker trick (although I am not sure she will go for it as an idea).

I am going to get some of the bamboo ones for me and see if she likes them too.

And funnily enough she herself suggested, as StarfishSandwich did, sewing our own!

New departures indeed!

I have seen a couple of reviews of different period pants, they all are OK unless you have heavy periods. Even if they did fit your DD, they might only be useful for the last few days or so.

With the sewing, they would have to be fairly snug to ensure no leakage so she would need to be aware of that too. If you went down that route, you could purchase a couple of nappy boosters (bamboo or microfibre) and sew them under a fleecy layer? That could work as they are designed to be very absorbent.

To be honest I hate the feeling of pads and have done the John Wayne style moan too - I use tampons; they feel much better for me and I used them from 10/11.

I'd go with something like that first - I'd worry about period pants failing; as they don't seem hugely tested, and even at 28 I'm not sure about mooncups yet!

If she doesn't want the wings just cut them off. I do when I can't get normal ones.

I used tampons from my second period, although make absolutely sure she knows how to insert correctly. Nothing hurts more than a virgin sitting down after inserting a tampon incorrectly. Believe me :(

I use the lillets teen pads as I’m petite - they’re so much nicer than other pads. I’ve just had a baby and had to use different ones - they were so uncomfortable in comparison. The lillets ones don’t seem so plasticky and don’t have an odour to them like some.

Why are tampons not appropriate?

I used them from my first period. Granted I was slightly older at just turned 12 but still, I don't see the issue?

I was about to suggest tampons s, however I reread your OP and saw she's only 10, so not really appropriate, nor would a mooncup be

WTF? Why not. Surely using a tampon when you have your period is appropriate

You could look into some handmade period pants - you could get them made in a size that will fit her. I know there are makers who do trainer type pants with an absorbent lining but for bigger children (up to age 12 I've seen) - I can PM you with where I've seen them if you want :)

Not much to add but I have a petite 12 year old with ASD and sensory issues who has just started her period. She is semi coping with the teen sanpro so far.. tempted to try the washable ones as she is fiddling and shuffling a bit!

If anyone has any bra tips I’d be very grateful.. she hates them with a passion.

Thanks for your responses. Will read properly in the morning.

On the positive side she's been bouncing around on a trampoline at a party with no problems.

On the other, few tears before bedtime about having to cope with it all away from home at school.

I reckon a few other girls will have started but she's worried about people finding out, which I suppose is normal.

Tampons... Like others I used them from my first period (managed one pad, but it felt weird). Bit of figuring out initially but it was fine.

What about the thick pads? Like Tesco value ones? 23p?

Would she wear a pair of black cycling shorts on the top of her knickers? Same as leggings...

My DD used the Lil-let’s teen pads. They do feel a lot nicer and less sweaty than others.

My mum started me off on the thick Tesco value pads. I can't think of much that's worse. They feel like nappies. Just awful.
I was so relieved when I discovered tampons!

There are lots of different washable pads available. Look up cloth sanitary pads. Honour your flow, red rags, cheeky wipes and many more.

Not period related but have you considered contacting an OT qualified in sensory intergration?

You may have to pay privately as the service is not available on NHS in lots of areas but they give you/DD a ‘sensory diet’ to follow (basically activities to do each day or a different way of doing things she already does). It can help to reduce tactile defensiveness (sensitivity to clothing, etc) and help with other sensory issues she may have.

Thanks for the suggestions. That therapy sounds interesting although we live in a very rural area so I think we might be disappointed.

If you can find someone, you would only have to go once for an assessment and then they give you the ‘sensory diet’ to follow at home so may be worth travelling.

It can make a massive difference to things like learning at school as if all her energy/concentration is going into focussing on how uncomfortable clothes/sanitary wear etc is (probably without her realising as she’s so used to it) it can be difficult to learn.
Imagine someone putting a load of sandpaper in your bra, socks, clothes and then trying to get you to learn a new language!
Good luck

There was just a thread on here with someone asking about Thinx and she found an equivalent on Amazon much cheaper if that might be worth investigating.