using a tampon?,what age to start?

[polly28]

my dd has had two periods so far,she is 13.She unfortunately has one at the moment,and won't go swimming because of it.Her friend uses a tampon,dd is reluctant but doesn't want to miss out on swimming.When did your dd go from pads to tampons?

Polly28 - I was 13 and my friend convinced me to try after my 3rd period. Never looked back from there!

So she wouldn't be abnormally young then?that's a relief.

My baby is growing up so fast

From when I started periods - must have been 12 or 13.

Do remind her that they need to be changed though and one tampon does not last the whole period

Message withdrawn

when i grew up my mum wouldn't let me use a tampon or wash my hair when I had a period,what that was all about I don't know!
I sneakily started using them when I was about 14/15.Apparently my mum thought you should be married before you shove anything up yer fanny!!

i'm the opposite of happymumof2, never started using tampons until after my 2nd ds and i am so much happier these days knowing that i can wear a tampon instead of towels.

i must say what a lovely mum you are to consider this for your daughter, my mum told me you couldn't wear tampons if you were a virgin. i wish that i had had a mum who was more honest about the facts of life with me.
i would say that 13 isn't too young to use tampons and could she be more embarrased about using tampons/discussing with mum, than actually reluctant. if this is the case perhaps buy her a couple of boxes of assorted brands and leave them in her room and let her decide to use them in hwer own time.

Lol at your Mum Polly28!!!

LOL polly28 thats what my mum used to say

About the 3rd period too, just wanted to do things pads wouldn't allow me to. Found the applicator easier but you need to say it has to be put 'all the way up' not just inserted a little.

Agree - as early as possible although it took me a while to get the hang of them and I had to get my mum to help me get it in the right place in the end! I guess my 'shape' just wasn't the same as the diagram on the instruction leaflet. After that embarrassing little episode, I've not looked back! Things seem much less painful when using tampons too - have no idea why, butI remember noticing that when I started using them! Good luch with it all - oh the joys of pubescent children!

I was about 13 or so too. Mum used to but my towels for me at first and used to bring home bloody great thick mattresses or even worse, ones with sodding loops on (I didn't know they still did them and certainly didn't have anything like a sanitary belt!). I was SO embarrassed cos I ended up having to take a little roll of sellotape with me to school so I could stick them in my knickers. I told her I'd buy my own after that and started off with the mini tampons. I've heard you can get a pack of mixed sizes so she can try and see which ones are the most comfortable for her.

My mum encouraged me to use tampons too (even if she didn't make it clear that yuo needed to change them regualry - I just thought that I hadn't put it in right as blood was still getting through ).

Interestingly, even though she used Lillets, she started me on Tampax as they had an applicator. Maybe she thought I would be embarrassed. In the event, I moved on to Lillets almost straight away, as I found them easier to insert and more reliable too (when changed regularly !)

I was about 14 when I started my periods, and used them from I think the second period.

Prettybird... were you speaking from experience with "tell her one doesn't last the whole period"???

Well, how was I supposed to know? I'd never had a period before!

I started having periods at 11 and using tampons from the get go. I was seriously into ballet and towels and leotards don't go together.

even though i started my periods before i started high school i never used a tampon until i was about 16 my Mum was really funny about it all and tbh i was scared i wouldnt be able to get them in >

FWIW i think go with what you feel but let her use what she wants

I started my periods at 11 - and used Tampon's from my 2nd period

I used the 'mini' Tampax from what I can recall.,,,,,,,,,,,hated lillets - and even today prefer an applicator - although I use Tesco own, a lot cheaper and do the job just as well

i still prefer applicators aswell, i still cant get the hang lillets, gosh i am terribly old fashioned, i blame my mother

Awwwww PB

I used to nick my mums lillets from about 14 (I only started at 13).

Hmm can't really remember but I know I started periods at 11, and I think it was not very long after at all that I used tampons, couldn't stand towels at all.

On this subject - what do you recommend as the best towels to use? I have bought ones that are 1) too small and irritate to b) too big and cause difficulty walking!

My DD is 11 years old and is concerned about her period starting at school. Would she be better with panty liners initially? Someone suggested Always for teenagers but I cannot find them. Any other suggestions?

By the way meant I have bought them for DD to try out