Light first period - not sure if DD has noticed

[Madmog]

Picked up washing off DD's floor earlier (as you do!). I noticed a pair of pants had staining on them, a bit like the last day of a period. I then had a look in another pair (which are darker) and there it definitely looks like blood. Her pyjamas from last night have a few small marks (not sure about the ones from the night before as I've already washed them).

Do you think she hasn't noticed? Maybe she wasn't sure or didn't want to say anything. She knows all about periods, has a little bag with spare pants and a small pad just in case at school and is open enough to tell me a friend suffers with bad period pains. She knows my first period was light and I have a selection of pads for light and heavy periods for her, so I would have thought she'd have realized and said something.

I would have a chat. I was desperate for my period, had all the gear, read the books etc but STILL didn't realise what it was when it happened and I was 13!

Half of me is tempted to just leave it and wait for her to start properly. On the other hand, as you say have a chat - I suspect the next one will be heavier and that way she may be a bit more mentally prepared if I'm not around.

I would say something. Keep it light - "I noticed you had some staining in your pants - do you think your periods have started?"

My first period was exactly how you describe and I was very confused. It didn't look how I expected at all!

I didn't expect it to be err so....brown! I was expecting bright blood!

Thanks for your replies. As it happens she told me after school yesterday - said she'd noticed in the morning and almost thought it was a poo strain as she put it, but she'd then had light staining in her pants in the day. She is very light, to be honest a panty liner would do. She seems okay about it as well and was chatting about her friends having theirs this morning.

I would advise her to wear a pad anyway not a panty liner just in case it gets heavier.

Glad she told you

I bought her some Lillets for Teens (as well as Bodyform) and she using one of the Lillets as it's smaller. She's taken two of these and a Bodyform with her to school and I suggested she check just before registration, breaktime and lunchtime in case it does get heavier. She knows who to go to in school if she ever has a problem and, but I think she will turn to her friends first. Apparently one of her friends started in school, was upset and told her as she didn't know what to do, so at least the girls speak to and support eachother.

how old is she, i think she's brave to go straight for the lillet. my dd hates the idea.

Good for her, sounds like she's coping brilliantly, it's great she's got friends she can talk to.

I guess you're thinking of Lillets tampons, but they now make pads designed for young girls. They're a bit narrower and shorter usual pads and as her periods get heavier they probably won't be absorbent enough but I think they are more comfortable for her. She used a Bodyform last night in case it got heavier and said it felt like a nappy, but she'll obviously have to get used to something like that.

ah yes i thought tampons.
dd has had heavy long periods from the off. began at nearly ten.
uses super towels.