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Original poster

Swimming lessons and periods

50 replies

Realitea · 14/09/2021 20:29

I’m not sure what happens in this situation
Dd is year 6 and doesn’t really want people to know she is getting periods now
She starts swimming lessons next week
She’s still very young for her age and it just feels a bit sad that she has to have periods already!
Do they sit out that week? What happens?

OP posts:

NiceGerbil · 14/09/2021 22:31

With the swimmers I'd leave it up to her as well tbh.

All children are different.

I know at that age and having just started I'd have been really worried about it leaking and also changing in and out. (Assuming communal changing).

atleastitswarm · 14/09/2021 22:34

Was literally going to mention what @NiceGerbil has said - it’s not just the actual swimming you have to think about, it’s the getting your pad sorted in the communal changing rooms etc. If she doesn’t want to do it I would be inclined to just let her sit out on period days. There would be absolutely no way at 11 my mum would have been able to ‘get me used to’ wearing tampons - I would’ve just said no.

Justlovedogs · 14/09/2021 22:39

@MrsFin

Ah! Year 6 not so young. Still younger than the norm back in ye olden days though, when I was a lass.

Really? I was 10/11 when I started. I'm way older than that now and was always told it was from around age 9 upwards. Tampons, if only for swimming.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General education

NiceGerbil · 14/09/2021 22:56

Well everyone has different experiences.

AnonAnom940 · 14/09/2021 23:23

Suggest tampons and see how she gets on. Could double up with tampon and special swimmers if worried. Also use period pants for after if no tampon. Or pack her a pair of pants with a pad ready attached so she doesn't have to do it in the communal changing. I still do that now for myself, much quicker

At 11, 2nd period at a swimming competition I came on. Had to buy tampons from the machine in the loos and use them for the first time!

JaninaDuszejko · 15/09/2021 10:51

it’s not just the actual swimming you have to think about, it’s the getting your pad sorted in the communal changing rooms etc

Period swimming costume plus period pants and even in a communal changing room she'll be fine. The swimming will help with any cramps as well. Win win.

handmademitlove · 15/09/2021 10:56

What is the length like on the modibodi swimsuits? the size guides give waist but not height.. I have a tall skinny daughter and am trying to guess size. She is an adult size 8 / teen 12-14ish but as the teen ones are on offer I was hoping they would fit!

BogRollBOGOF · 15/09/2021 12:23

Tampons were always a necessary, uncomfortable evil for me until I tried cups. There are some smaller ones that are more suited to younger/ smaller girls/ women. I find the smooth silicon is much easier to use than the drying fibres of a tampon.

Period pants/ swimwear sound like a good starting point to try first.

WhenZoomWasJustAnIceLolly · 16/09/2021 08:26

handmademitlove

Dd is 5ft 7 and a size 10. The biggest teen one fits her nicely. I risked it because of the offer!

Thoughtcontagion · 16/09/2021 10:31

@handmademitlove

My DD is 5’6 and a size 10 fits lovely too, also enticed by the offer, she absolutely loves it and feels confident prefers it to her usual swimsuit

Seagullslanding · 16/09/2021 10:51

My 11 year old started when she was 10. She is waiting for an assessment for autism. She can very socially self conscious and somewhat clumsy. She has a modibodi swimsuit and wears it all the time, not just when she has a period. As previous posters have said, in the water is not a problem, it's before and after. I always make sure she has a dark towel for drying herself. I think the reason she likes the midibodi swimsuit is because there Is padding on the bust part. She is very self conscious that her nipples may be obvious.

mamateta · 16/09/2021 14:36

Hi. My teen is a club swimmer and has been using using modibodi bikini knickers under her kneesuit for the last 3 years. She has never had any problems with leakage even on her heavy days.

handmademitlove · 16/09/2021 14:57

Thank you all. I have ordered the 14-16 youth. Will see how we go!

handmademitlove · 21/09/2021 08:20

Just to update - the 14-16 fits well thank you all!

Insanelysilver · 24/09/2021 17:59

Maybe she Couid have a dentist appointment this time until you work out a strategy.

vickylou78 · 24/09/2021 18:00

I would really recommend getting her used to tampons as soon as you can as they really are easier for all kind of sports. I found it difficult when I was a teen but didn't realize I had a tilted cervix so I was aiming straight up when I fact I needed to go in only slightly and immediately aim back more towards my bottom (if that makes sense!) And once sussed that it was great!
Let her practice with the expensive smooth plastic applicators too as they are much easier than the cardboard applicators.

Blueink · 25/09/2021 05:49

Cramps is a good point - but it’s horrible swimming if u have them and can make u feel worse and nauseous. Exercise might help during the month but if u have bad cramps resting is better. Either way make sure she feels she has a choice to swim or not.

Blueink · 25/09/2021 06:00

Also menstrual cup better than tampons - lots of young YouTubers reviewing different ones could be empowering to watch

Cluckycluck · 25/09/2021 06:47

Give your daughter the options and let her choose. Yes, period swimwear seems like the best option but if she is communally changing she might decide that she feels more confident trying a menstrual cup or tampons.

Please don't make this decision for her, lay out the options available to her, give her the information and let her make an informed decision.

Too many parenys decide on what sanitary wear their daughter should be wearing based on their perceived age a tampon/cup should be used and their experience of products. This can lead to girls feeling embarrassed, fearful and uncomfortable with their own bodies. Give your daughter confidence to be in control of her own body.

Sarahvn · 25/09/2021 12:42

If she wants to use tampons just make sure she is aware of how important it is to never forget about it or leave it in too long. I knew a girl who came close to death from Toxic Shock Syndrome. Since it happened it really put me off using them completely.

Gwenhwyfar · 25/09/2021 12:50

"Fairly common now for girls to start in Year 6.

Improved diets and all that"

It was reasonably common 30 something years ago when I was that age, maybe spoken about a little less.
We did have some beliefs about it not being appropriate for pre and early teens to use tampons though.
I don't see tampons as a solution because you can't use them when you're expecting your period, only when you're actually on.

Gwenhwyfar · 25/09/2021 12:52

"Really? I was 10/11 when I started. I'm way older than that now and was always told it was from around age 9 upwards."

Yep. If the average is 12 or 13 then obviously some will be younger.

Gwenhwyfar · 25/09/2021 12:55

@Sarahvn

When was that? Toxic shock isn't as much of a worry these days. In these days of Covid, it's just not something I would worry about at all and I certainly don't worry about having a lie in or something in case I leave it in too long.

Italianmeringuebuttercream · 25/09/2021 21:54

I work in y6 and when we did swimming lessons, if a girl had her period and didn't want to join in we always gave the option of joining a pe lesson in another class (with the reason being she'd forgotten her kit or something if kids asked) pe teacher female too so very understanding.

FeeFi100 · 27/09/2021 07:23

Why did I read that she was 6 and not year 6 😫 until someone pointed it out!

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