Spotting, first period?

[Juicyfrooty]

My dd is 11 in a couple of months, a week ago she had a tiny amount of spotting when wiping and in her pants this was only for a day or two.

I assumed this was her first period but she also said she felt sore and itchy and it hurt when she urinated, that went on for a few days longer, so now I'm wondering whether the spotting was caused by an infection/irritation. She is fine now, no further discomfort.

She does have a lot of signs of puberty, breast buds, armpit and pubic hair, needs deodorant. But she is still quite small and petite so I'm really not sure.

My first period was barely there. Literally a few spots of blood only seen when wiping. I didn’t have another for a few months so it could well be her first period.

I'm really hoping things don't start properly for a few months, shes got a residential trip soon and lots of activities in the last few months of primary.

I guess it's just a case of waiting and seeing. She was great about it all anyway, she still just seems so young.

Just make sure she knows what to expect. Get her some supplies, & a cute, unobtrusive little bag to take them around in (to school, friends houses, etc). Including a couple of age appropriate painkillers if you feel she's responsible enough. And a couple of scented nappy bags for disposal in case it's not convenient immediately. It does sound like you have a great relationship with her, that she could tell you. I had 3 or 4 periods before I worked out what was going on, no-one told me.

It does seem young but a lot of girls start in primary. As far as the residential trip and end of year activities go, if she does have her period, she won't be the only one. It is a worry but if you approach it in a practical matter of fact way, this will serve her well for the future.

Good advice about a make-up bag with some supplies in it. Put a spare pair of pants in too. You say she is petite - you can buy teen ranges of pads in big supermarkets which your DD may find more comfortable.

My daughter got spotting four months before her first period at 12, I was a bit surprised as she is small for age and had only a little breast development, two of her school friends started theirs when they were 10.

My daughter prefers the Lil lets teen sanitary pads.

Thanks for all your replies. Shes got a little makeup bag with her supplies in, the lil let teen pads are just the right size.

She said the school have sanitary bins in the loos as well so that's good.