DD first period at 10 I'm freaking out!

[Summersoul]

Hey Mners
I am totally freaking out my DD woke me up at 5am having started her first period!!!! She started puberty about 9 months ago in terms of breast development but doesn't have pubic hair or any other physical signs. She has been horrendously moody for about 3 months tho and just not herself. I didn't start mine until I was about 12 to 13 so I am really surprised this has happened. My mum died when I was young so not able to ask her our family traits etc. Luckily I have been very open about all of this with DD so she is ok and just getting on with it so far. Anyone else have experience of early periods. Do I need to get her to see a dr with her being so young
Thanks guys x

lornicera it was so cringe. For my sister she invited all the women in the family. I got off lightly with just her my dad and my sister...

We laugh about it now. Just.

I was just turned 10 when I started, back in the dark ages of 1975 so it's not a recent thing

Lilets do a teen range which are a bit smaller than usual pads and so fit my dd better. She found normal adult pads too bulky.

You may need to speak to school in September depending what the set up is like. Some primaries aren't that set up and don't have sanitary bins in every toilet. My dd knows that she can leave the lesson before lunch early to go to her bag, get her stuff and go and use the suitable toilet in peace without anyone else hearing the rustling of wrappings or wondering why she's waiting for a specific toilet. I'm hoping that secondary is better equipped!

M&s do something called modesty pants which are basically shorts which dd wears over her pants and help keeps everything in place and avoid leakage. We've found that leakage is a problem at bedtime so she knows to tell me if she leaks in bed.

You need to remember to carry pants/pads around with you when you're out as she's likely to be irregular initially. The hardest thing I find is getting dh to think about it if he takes her out as he's just never had to think about it before!

I started at 11 and all was fine. However, there are, I've found, ridiculous things circulating online saying that the earlier you start, the shorter your life span. Just a warning!

Dd found the lillets ones were too small/ too short and leaked at night. She uses kotex thick night ones now and doesn't leak. Lillets do a starter pack in a wee zippy bag which is handy for school

I think 10 is young ish too. Not a cause for concern but would catch you off guard a little. OP sounds like a normal mum with a normal reaction.

Normal - my sister started at 8 and I at 10 - healthier well fed children = earlier periods

Reading interest as I have a 8 year old DD and a DS who was one of the first of his peers to go through puberty.

There are some leakproof pants that I keep seeing recommended on here. Afraid I can't remember the name. Wonder if they come in small enough sizes? Would be really useful wouldn't they? I seem to remember this and getting rid of towels the worst part of having period at school

summersoul I'm a teacher in a Year 6 class so children aged 9/10/11 and quite a few of the girls start their period whilst in Year 6 so it's totally normal at that age, definitely nothing you need to worry about.

Girls as young as 8 have periods now. Relatives of mine refuse to believe this, DD 9 stays with a great aunt quite regularly who says things like "it's a long way off yet" and "she's still very much a little girl".

Same here op - dd 10. I was 11 which was very early in my day.

Boots do a pretty starter pack in a sponge bag with a variety of sanpro so she can try different types out. We got back from town and she was excitedly showing dh her new purchase which slightly broke my heart as she does seem young for this.

Our issue is swimming as we have membership of a local pool and swim a lot. Dd has decided tampons are "disgusting" so has been unable to swim

I was 10 in the 90's and from memory and from what I was aware of there were also about five other girls in my class at school, which in a class of about 22 girls and boys was about 50% of the girls. Although I imagine some of them would have been 11.

It came as a massive shock to me as I was very much 10 years old. I struggled with the embarrassment at school at dealing with it when swimming. For a good few years I didn't want to change my sanitary products while at school in case people knew, which in hindsight is silly because others had them and I was aware. I also struggled with the pain as they were very heavy. Some days I would lie in bed crippled in pain and despite lots of painkillers and prescriptions from the doctors I ended up having at least 2 days off a month. It really was horrific. I think keeping an open dialogue with your DD will help. If she's a private person like I was she could find it hard so I just wanted to signpost some of the things to think about.

Well I never. I didn't have a clue it could start as early as 8 and be normal! And I have a near 8 year old. I was quite late - 14. Most of my friends started around 12/13.

I was 12 and at secondary when I started (late 90s) but my primary school must have been ahead of its time as I remember sanitary bins in the cubicles there, and I know a couple of girls in my class had started in Year 6. And one of my friends started at 9.

Such a faff aren't they, I hope they're not painful for her - sound she like she's managing well though

Healthy well fed children = earlier periods

That's simply not true. Studies are now finding overweight children are more likely to start puberty and menstruation much earlier than 'healthy' children. The average age for girls to start is 12. So 10 is still on the young side, but not abnormal. My dd13 hasn't started yet, and none of her friends have either.

Op, hope your dd is ok, she sounds like she's coping with it well! I'm dreading my dd starting simply because I know what she'll have to put up with for the next 40 years!

Healthy well fed children = earlier periods

That's simply not true. Studies are now finding overweight children are more likely to start puberty and menstruation much earlier than 'healthy' children. The average age for girls to start is 12. So 10 is still on the young side, but not abnormal. My dd13 hasn't started yet, and none of her friends have either.

Op, hope your dd is ok, she sounds like she's coping with it well! I'm dreading my dd starting simply because I know what she'll have to put up with for the next 40 years!

"I'm dreading my DD starting".

Really, at 13?

Op DD just started hers, she's 12. Probably about half her friends already have theirs, none are overweight. Many started in primary and there were San bins in the loos. We've played it down as it's a normal part of life. She chose her own Lillet teen range towels and has taken it in her stride. The girls are prepared now and what has changed since 'my day' is they all seem happy to talk about it.

Chestnuts if you read my comment properly you'll see I simply meant when she starts, that's it, for the next 40-odd years it will be something she always has to think about and consider, especially if she follows in my footsteps and is extremely heavy. The longer you she doesn't have to deal with it, the better. After all, what woman or girl actually enjoys having a period every month? !

Chestnuts if you read my comment properly you'll see I simply meant when she starts, that's it, for the next 40-odd years it will be something she always has to think about and consider, especially if she follows in my footsteps and is extremely heavy. The longer you she doesn't have to deal with it, the better. After all, what woman or girl actually enjoys having a period every month? !

Haven't rtwt but regarding pants the girls boxers from h&m are much better for keeping pads in than regular knickers.

I think it's perfectly normal to have a quiet " oh my gosh moment" when your DD starts her period. A bit of support to OP please. I'm dreading DD starting her periods, she has SEN and it not going to be easy for her to accept it.

I think you've received some good advice on this thread OP.

Shame you've been so unpleasantly dismissive of it, because it focussed on what your DD needs rather than feeding your drama. You sound like hard work.

My dd was 10. They were light and regular the first year then she had a year of heavier crampy periods but they've settled down now. Self management is key, of pain relief and always having sanpro. Dd has helped others out at school as her locker is well stocked.

I think it's perfectly normal to have a quiet " oh my gosh moment" when your DD starts her period. A bit of support to OP please.

I had to check this was children's health and not AIBU...there have been some really unkind posts on this thread.