DD of age when periods could start - what towels etc should I have at hand?

[Celeriacacaca]

DD is going on a school trip in a week's time and it occurred to me that she could start her periods any time soon. It may sound strange, but what towels/pads or whatever do people have for their daughter for whom all this will be very new so that they can manage on their own should it happen? I didn't start using tampons until I was around 15 but when can they realistically be used? When I got my period it wasn't something that was discussed in advance and it was all a bit of shock so I'd rather have everything ready and be able to talk to her about it! TIA.

Lillets have a range out specifically designed for teens, day ones and night ones. They may appeal.
Shorts-style snug fitting knickers are helpful.
DD also has a couple of pairs of black very snug fitting PE shorts to give her extra reassurance.
Unfortunately, she finds the slimmer towels very uncomfortable as she is very narrow of hip/pelvis and the edges make her thigh creases sore - she is using very soft and squishy Tesco pads for the time being.

Even though we were well prepared, DD didn't want to talk much about the first couple of periods. The last one I found her much more settled about and able to discuss tactics!

I rate sainsburys own pads, and id say have normal and super pads available (my first period were horribly heavy).

Speaking as someone who has supervised such trips, tampons are not generally great for the shock/urgency of "oh no I've suddenly started on a school trip". They don't want to ask a staff member how to insert a tampon, no matter how teen-sized: major TMI! Girls do figure it out but a school trip might not be the best time/place. I've had girls come and find me and specifically ask for towels (we only have mattress ones in the kit, not ideal).

Lilets do some teen sanitary towels too: simple ones with wings. I would suggest these for a 'first time' - add tampons if you think, but don't have them as the only option.

The Lillets teen range come in a pretty packaging. I've got my DD a pack to put in a a drawer (and advised to her to put a towel in her school bag too) as they look non-threatening. We can have a talk about her preferences and options in more detail once her periods start.

Thanks all - really helpful. I wasn't thinking of her using tampons straight away - particularly if on the trip - imagine the teachers dealing with that one!!! All great advice, thank you again.

DD uses the Lillets towels and gets along with them fine.

She's quite a petit, skinny build so they seem better suited than 'adult size' ones

If you are making up a little bag of period kit maybe add some wet wipes and simple painkiller like paracetamol or ibuprofen. My early periods were horribly painful.

Maybe get her to wear a towel for a day or so to get used to the feeling and try a few different shapes?

Lots of shopping!

Boots have a whole section of teen bits and pieces.

I bought my dd some ready. They have liners, wipes, pads, nighttime pads etc..

They also sell a lilettes teen 'starter' kit which has a bit of everything in it.

I bought a great little book from amazon too, which I gave to dd before I have her the other stuff. Can look up the name if you're interested. Hth.

I was looking for something to give dd for her 13 th birthday and found a lilettes starter pack in super drug. It's in a nice little bag and has a few different items inside.

Lilets do a teen starter pack which I bought for DD when she was about to go on a school camp.

DD had a pencil case with towels, spare nickers and a nappy sack in her school bag form Y6.

Eventually started on a school trip to Europe and the teacher were lovely (as one school day emergency kit wasn't enough).

Definitely start teaching your DD to read the paracetamol/iboprofen packet herself if she has a headache or a cold so she's absolutely familiar with the dosages.

DDs periods were really painful to start with. I've lived on the mini pill so long I'd forgotten.

Stick an empty hot water bottle in her bag incase she comes on or is about to while away - great pain relief for the night time

Dd has the lilets teen starter pack, I removed the tampon, put in some spare knickers and a nappy sack and she has this in her school bag.

I think I am also going to pop in a single calpol sachet.

My DD didn't like the ultra thin towels. She much preferred a nice thick, squishy mattress type .

Some really great ideas - thank you all.

My daughter likes Bodyform. Don't get Always because most of them have horrible perfume in which stinks.

Good lord how the things have changed!
I had no idea you can buy a starter pack!

Was going to second the lillettes ones (though thry can be hard to get) also one of the major brands(forget who) currently have pretty tins with theirs. Useful for days out and school.