Advise- period 10yr old

[OrchidRosetta]

Hi all, newbie here.

DD has told me she has started to see her period. Sorry if this is TMI. Just a bit of advice really. I’m worried she’s very young and it’s all about scary. I’ve was very calm, talked her through it, and school prepared her anyway, and we talk lots at home too, just…didn’t think we’d have to worry about it till she was in secondary school. I think I’ve reassured her and she’s handling it really well, knows what to do, but is there anything I should be doing?!

Is she really young? Going into Y6 in Sep. I’m pretty sure she is the first in her class. Is there anything more I can do to help her?

I want to be a good mum, and frankly this is out of the blue so I don’t want to say the wrong thing. She is fine with talking to me, and we had a big cuddle, so I just want to do right by her.

Honestly I was the same when DD started hers earlier this year she is also 10. Remarkably it was pretty uneventful for her. I do belive it's down to them being taught about it in school for which I'm very thankful. Just keep talking to her & just being there for her. Maybe talk about mood changes as my one has had a few meltdownsbut nothing chocolate couldn't fix

Thank you. Milestone moment and I just want to get it right for her. So 10 is young but okay?

Absolutely it's ok. My DD has friends that actually started at 9 so I was worried she might start even that early.

Get her some period pants, so reassuring even though she might want pads as well on heavy days.

Make sure she has somewhere at school to change sanpro. Dd was in year 6, and another 2 girls so it's not that uncommon these days. At our primary the girls were told to use the staff/disabled loo, a few mums (me included) said we wanted a bin in the girls toilets. To access the staff toilet they had to get permission and walk through reception which just made them more self conscious at a difficult time.

A pencil case with sanpro, and maybe some wipes for her school bag. Period knickers are a thing now and I would probably investigate them for dd if she was that age.

My DD started her period just after her 10th birthday. She has dealt with it amazingly but period pants really helped her cope at school.

Anything over 8 is considered normal. Highly recommend period pants, they are expensive but very effective

My DD started in yr6. It did feel very young for her to have to deal with.
I would also recommend period pants as the easiest way. Bit expensive to start with, but super easy to use. I just stick them in the wash with a dark load.

When DD's class had the talk in year 5 the teacher told me some girls had already started age 9. Keep lines of communication open, expect the occasional tearful outburst, let her try every kind of sanpro as what works for you might not for her. We have struggled to balance comfort and capacity and period pants are definitely worth a try.

Definitely check provision at school. I started at 10 and it was dire. I think period pants and wipes in her bag are a great idea.

Thank you so much.

Sorry- I feel like I’ve just blocked this all out from my time! Never heard of period pants so thanks. I’ve ordered some little shorts to go under her school uniform.

Is this it now? Should I get her a little diary to log when and how long or could this not happen again for a few months? I asked if it was red blood and she said no. I’m wondering if this is just a little ‘heads up’.

Are you sure it's actually her period. Not that it would be totally unusual at 10. It's just the wording you've used in more than one post. Is she experiencing discharge and not knowing the difference?

Let school know and find out who she can go to if she needs help with anything, and which loos have the Sani bins in.
Period pants, changes of pads and pants in school.

Period pants are absolutely the way forward. Don't go for the cheap ones, do a bit of research. A real gamechanger for such a young girl.

@liveforsummer

I think so. It’s just the very first time, brown she says. Not red. So it’s the start of periods I guess.

But thank you all for the advise. Feel happier now I’ve had the chance to read your messages. I’ll feel more confident going forward.

Have a read of a book called the period repair manual.

Loads of really good information about period health in general. She talks about starting periods and the hormone changes etc and how to set up for manageable periods in adulthood.