What to expect when a nine-year-old starts periods

[Worriedmum1567]

Hi! I'm looking for some period advice! Or insight.

My 9.5 year old DD has seemingly started her periods, after appointment with GP it's confirmed.

She had 1 brown bleed for 1 day then 3-4 weeks later started brown spotting again lasting for 4 days (currently ongoing)

What am I supposed to expect?! Will she be regular or will she skips some? GP said to expect full red bleed within a week or so.

Looking to see what everyone's DD have been like.

The problem is everyone is different- DDs just started and were regular straight away: I was thankful it was in lockdown as her primary weren’t well set up.

No one here will share their daughters experiences, if you're genuinely asking then speak to the GP or look it all up online, presumably you had periods yourself.

Everyone is different. Try not to make it big deal for her, although I know that's probably how it feels.

I actually don't have periods mine were a long time ago and I had major issues with them. Hence why I don't have them now. It was so long. Ago I can't remember.

Not asking for huge details jus wether some kid shuts started regularly or if they skipped some.

I've spoken to go who say could be regular or could be irregular so just looking for what others have been like.

Chimney - thank you! I know it's such a worry as they just are not prepared for it at her age.

Bird - yea we've just gone oh wow that great and got her some stuff, she's struggling as she's autistic and wants to know the exact date it's all going to happen 😅

Just expect normal periods. Period pants are great. It's upsetting though as a parent as they are still young ❤️

Everyone is different

I had one period at 9 yrs and then nothing til a year later - after which I was regular as clockwork

This was unusual then (80s) but I think girls start younger now

I’d be focusing on helping her to use pads/pants/tampons - and seeing if she has any signs that help her recognise a period is going to start (aches or anything) rather than being concerned about what is pretty normal

Yorkshire with love - yea think that's probably better isn't it? To jus expect it regularly regardless.
So so young. Took me by suprise for sure. And then wondered if anyone else's kids have come one so young and what their experience was with it.
(I have 2 older ones, one who's started and 1 who hasn't) But I completely understand everyone's different it's jus a like worry you know? 😅

Tell her to look at the paper when she wipes after a wee - that’s how I realised there was spotting

a child may not think to do this

LoS - yea she's very well versed in using them now and we have pants on the way bit sure how well they will work never used them myself!
Yea I was kinda wondering if she jus won't have anything again for ages.
I jus can't remember the start of it all! I'm not to worried about wether it's normal jus wondering about experiences you know? Google only helps so far 😅

Very good point about the looking after wiping! I'll have a talk with her! Thank you.

You might also want to get her some wipes - femfresh or just ones for hands honestly, in case she needs to clean up at school or elsewhere

Period pants at that age would have been so helpful

Is she the sort of girl who would like to have a calendar to mark dates and look for a pattern?
I'd steer away from apps as they are quite adult focused and often linked to fertility tracking

Oh really good idea! I had a pack sorted but didn't even think about wipes thank you! I've got pants ordered in iffy about them tho aswell as I'm like I need to track it but can't if I can't see it you know, cuz if the communication issues she has. 😅 Thank you! Jus figured out how to reply properly to people aswell

She is definitely she's already trying to find a pattern and when it will happen next, it's why I was asking about other experiences 😅 try to reassure her it's okay to be on and off for a while or yep it'll be regular you know.

Yes! I will buy her one, I did have one app as it said it was teen focused but you have to be 13 to use it so thought not much point and then used the calanders on my own phone in the end. Could get her. A little book type calander to keep by her bed.

Expect her to need you to help manage it and let her know that information that looks official in writing isn’t true. It isn’t every 28 days and it isn’t always 5-7 days and you won’t always change pad at exaxt same interval. Discuss where she’s to put stained undies and sheets/can put a towel over sheets to reduce staining.

Can she stay home for cramps or a heavy day? Is there a quiet room for a rest at school? Talk to school about where to keep supplies/how to bring discreetly to the toilet and if she will be allowed out frequently with no issue.

I started young and needed lots of help. It is a LOT of executive function! Plus never knowing when it starts and ends.

did the gp consider meds to stop them for a few years?