My DD 10 has started her period..advice please 🙂

[DewDropsonKittens]

hi all,

My DD is 10, this evening she has started a light period. Bright red blood.

I'm a bit sad, as she is so young still and periods whilst part of growing up are such a faff and stressful.

Does anyone have any tips? Are there small pads for younger girls? What will make her feel better about it?

I've obviously reassured her she isn't going to die and it will be ok.

I remember having horrific flow and pain and needing to go on medication quite early, I'm hopeful she doesn't experience similar.

My DD was 10 starting, I bought her Tulip period pants and lilet pads.

Also remember - kids now are much bigger, healthier and develop earlier. They get their periods earlier than back in the day. They've had bins in yr 5 and 6 since I was at school in 2005

Roswellconspiracy and
minnieok
Thank you both very much. It’s definitely something to think about.
I might also try and steer her towards reusable pads.

On the back of this thread, I’ve just bought myself some Modibodi pants, and will get them for DD when she starts her period (probably soon, I think) if they’re successful.

When I completed my order, it gave me a referral link for £15 off a first order. I think anyone can use it, so feel free!
i.refs.cc/lFCQR0K5?smile_ref=eyJzbW
(If it doesn’t work as a link, maybe try copying and pasting.)

What are the sainsbury ones called and where would they be please

Definitely check out Red by Modibodi. I use the regular Modibodis and really like them. So easy and comfortable. Just make sure you wash them before the first wear as a friends dd had a bit of a disaster the first time she wore them as the blood didn’t absorb properly.

I might also try and steer her towards reusable pads

Look at earthwise girls. They have a lovely range and also do period pants.

Oh bless her, hope she feels ok. I started at 10 and remember having a very achy tummy and sore legs. My mum was great and had always normalised periods and told me about them at 8 so I knew where the sanpro was and how to use it. Both her and my dad didn't make a big deal out of it but where easy to approach to talk about it if I needed to. For example I would ask for paracetamol when my tummy was sore or if I didn't want to run around with my siblings I wasn't pushed to. My dad was sad when I started as I was young but he didn't express that in front of me. I still remember he bought me fish and chips for dinner as I had not eaten properly because my stomach cramps were bad.

Get her some new underwear, maybe darker colours and take her with you to buy sanpro.

The school I volunteer in has bins in the cubicles from year 4 as we always get at least 1 child starting (90 in year)

In school pack her off with a little kit that includes wet wipes she can clean herself with, we had a girl completely freak out as she had blood on her leg from the pad when she pulled her knickers down obviously get her to bin them in the sanitary bin.

Also a spare set of clothes in her school bag in a separate bag. Trousers or skirt, tights and knickers.

Let school know. We are very discreet dealing with children who just need 10 mins to sit out of a lesson. Also that she will be able to leave a classroom very easily, not something all children are encouraged to do so make sure she knows that.

Reassurance over leaks especially in her bed are completely normal.

Red by Modibodi have some really lovely designs. My DD1, age 14, started recently and I ordered a couple of pairs of pants from Modibodi to see if she liked them. They arrived within 48 hours of ordering, even during lockdown. I have since ordered quite a lot more for her, including a pack of bikini bottoms (on special offer with a little bag at the moment). Expensive to begin with, but they will last.

@Swelteringmeltering

Link - tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/c/brands/love-luna

As I said not as good as the other brands but good for giving them a go.

And for whoever else asked yes you really do wear them with no other protection. On my heaviest day and night I wear normal pants with a washable pad (I used ecolily which amazon sell and they’re good and budget friendly) but on day 1, 3 and 4 I just use the pants. One pair lasts me 12 hours easily. The no-hassle factor is amazing and it does feel stupidly liberating.

Thank you everyone,

We went in to town this morning and she got some nice new underwear briefs, as she usually wears shorts but the pad didn't feel comfortable

We got the lillets starter pack and pads, we've done a few trial runs of putting the pad on and off.

She picked out some comfortable leggings in primark to sleep in, we got a few pairs just in case of leaks

I'm so proud of her

Sounds like its all gonna be OK. Its lovely she feels she can talk to you about it all.

My daughter started last year. I offered her a whole range of things, including Modibodi Red and Thinx period pants. She massively prefers the pants over pads. She wears them without pads (as do I) and they last a whole day so no messing about in school loos or carrying bloody pants about. You can get different levels of absorbency and they can hold a lot. She hates the pads in comparison and won't contemplate tampons or cups yet.

@OnlyBejoking how does it feel wearing them? Especially all day, as the build up over a few hours must start to feel 'icky'

I started at 10, the first of my friends and of my class (that I knew of, we quite keenly discussed it in year 6 to be honest following our lessons around them). I remember going to the library and borrowing some books, and then we went into town and I chose some pads. It's different nowadays I guess, but it was good having the support of my mum, but being able to make my own choices if that makes sense, and feeling able to talk to her about it. Similarly though your DD might prefer you to go out and get some and not want to do that, you know her best, I would just talk to her and ask her what she feels would be best for her . If she wants to talk about it as there's so much misinformation online, then be open with her. Also agree with not letting on that you're sad about it, even though it's understandable, because then it becomes something negative.

Just read your update, that's great OP, you sound like a wonderful mum and your DD sounds like she is taking it in her stride.

I bought WUKA period pants for my twins and for me. I've been road testing them for 3 months before the girls start their periods - amazing! I wish they had been available when I was starting my periods.

Thanks for the link

They have a wicking layer next to the skin which draws moisture away so they don't feel icky.

My DD used pads at first but the pants are a revelation. You just pick the right absorbency for the day and off you go. She doesn't need to change during the day at school.

I'm stupidly excited about the prospect of these pants.
What on earth is in the middle though to hold all that blood
Also washing them! I know we don't see it but

My dd not started yet but will soon I think.
Love the idea of the special secret chocolate.

DD uses Modibodis but she also knows how to deal with pads and tampons.

She manages a full day at school without changing, but that is the “heavy/overnight” one which is not available as a Red one unfortunately but she only needs it for a day, otherwise she wears the normal ones.

But for Scout camps and swimming she has to use the disposable items, tampons was a bit of getting used to it but with the help of Youtube she managed. You can get period swimwear, her friend who swims for a club 4 times a week has them, but for just once a week i couldn’t justify the price.

DD has a small pencil case with pads, spare knickers, wet wipes and nappy bag to store soiled knickers in her bag for emergencies.

I have a Modi body £15 off code if anyone wants to try it. DD11 started her periods 3 months ago and much prefers pants to pads.

i.refs.cc/1eWEUi4I?smile_ref=eyJzbWlsZV9zb3VyY2UiOiJzbWlsZV91aSIsInNtaWxlX21lZGl1bSI6IiIsInNtaWxlX2NhbXBhaWduIjoicmVmZXJyYWxfcHJvZ3JhbSIsInNtaWxlX2N1c3RvbWVyX2lkIjo1MjUxODk4NDZ9

@IndieTara

Thanks!