can preteen girl have a mini-period?

[thatnicknameisnotavailable]

My dd has had a small amount of brown blood in her pants, but she has no other signs of puberty starting.
She is very sporty but small for her age. She seems oblivious to the discharge and hasn't mentioned it to me.
Is this an actual period or something else?
tia

she's nearly 12

Sounds very like her first period. My Dd started just before her 10th birthday, so nearly 12 isn't at all early.

She might not have mentioned it as she's worried or embarrassed - could you have a chast with her, perhaps suggest some pant liners?

Lilets do sanitary protection for teens which is smaller than the usual stuff but still good protection - day, night pads and tampons. Dd used them when she was smaller and found them comfortable.