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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

daughters periods - advice needed!

12 replies

tootyfruity40 · 12/05/2011 11:31

My daughter who has just turned 13 has ?started her periods. Just a brown show really a couple of days ago. Her main anxiety is what happens if she has a period on our summer holiday. Have tried to reasure her but she is worried she may miss out on swimming. Have discussed fact that she may not start for a while yet anyway and briefly discussed tampons but would this be ok at such a young age? Help!!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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ExitPursuedByALamb · 12/05/2011 11:33

No idea - my DD is 11 and not started yet, but I am sure it will not be long, and I was thinking about the very subject of tampons last night. I think I started using them when I was about 15, but it is so long ago.

What sort of sanitary product did you buy for her? Sorry to be no help and just nosey!

virginiasmonalogue · 12/05/2011 11:35

I have a similar problem. DD1 is 12 and due on when we go away in 2 weeks. So last period, she tried Tampons and much prefers them to pads (she's had periods for about 8 months now, unlike me, I had a few brown shows at 13/14 and no period until I was 16!). I too was unsure whether she was too young, but they are much cleaner and will make a holiday much less stressful.

Original poster

tootyfruity40 · 12/05/2011 11:37

Well, I only had own brand towels at home as I dont use them often. She found these v uncomfortable! So we went and bought a variety to try. She has used found bodyform comfortable.

OP posts:

seeker · 12/05/2011 11:38

My dd used tampons from about her third period. She was 13 too.

I asked her if she wanted to try, then bought her a few different types. She locked herself in the bathroom for about half an hour and worked it out and always uses them now.

I think though if your dd's periods are very light she probably shouldn't try until they get a bit heavier - they will dry out her vagina too much if there's nothhing to absorb.

TheVisitor · 12/05/2011 11:41

My daughter has both tampons and towels in her room ready for when she starts her periods. The mini tampons with applicator are teeny! She's 12.

BooJonesMummy · 12/05/2011 12:35

I tried tampons when I was 14 because I was due on a period during a summer holiday. Just make sure she understands the rules with tampons mostly for her own comfort if she does want to try them. Problem with first year of periods they are so irregular! My cousin who I was very close to started hers at 12 and she went straight to tampons because she did a lot of sports and she would use the lite or reg flow ones and never had a problem with them at that age. But I agree with Seeker, if she is very very lite flow little panty liners are better and more comfortable than pads and tampons shouldn't really be used for such lite periods because they could be mistaken for spotting.

Original poster

tootyfruity40 · 12/05/2011 19:00

Many thanks to you all, I feel better about it all now and have discussed with daughter after school. She seems much happier too.

OP posts:

HattiFattner · 12/05/2011 19:10

my DD is 14, has had periods for about 18 months, and just last month managed to use tampons. SHe much prefers them, and so have bought a stash. We have bought the tampax compact with applicator.

Also prefrred bodyform to allways, esp the night time towels which are nice and thin but a good length.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 12/05/2011 19:13

Tampax compac pearl is what she needs. They are very much smoother to apply than others. Our DD was reluctant to try them, until the moment came when she had to because she wanted to do something. Then she got on with it, so now will if she needs to..

thornrose · 12/05/2011 19:14

I started using tampons after about 6 months of having periods, I was 13.
My dd is 11 and uses pads, the problem is finding thick enough towels that are not too big to go on her little knickers, as she is tiny. She has periods regular as clockwork and very heavy, bless.

gkys · 12/05/2011 19:22

i used tampons from day one, I recommend lillets minis either applicator or not personal choice, if she wants to use them let her

iamkirsty · 12/05/2011 20:01

If she really doesn't want to/can't use tampons then you could always ask your GP if she can go on the pill during the month you're on your holiday. This'll stop her having any kind of period for that month. They come in packs of 3 months worth but you can just get rid of the other two months worth (or save them for any other holidays). Of course she may not be suitable for it but you could always ask.

I went on a school trip when I was 13 and took the pill to make sure I wasn't on my period. I didn't like using tampons but there was swimming and I didn't want to miss out, I felt so much better I wasn't going to suddenly have period and have any embarassing incidents!

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