When to expect first period

[FedUpandEatingChocolate]

It's a long time since I went through puberty, and I have no idea when my DD might start her periods.

She's changing body shape (breast buds and a bit of shape to them), oily skin and greasy hair - but still got a childlike figure (no hip definition) and no pubic hair.

I went through mine quite late, so was really surprised to see the changes in her start last summer.

She's now 11.

I’d expect it any time. My dd was 10. She was only tiny as well, the smallest in her class, probably the height and weight of an average 7 year old. I don’t know whether or not she had pubic hair because she was bathing herself by that age.

Could be any time. I believe I was 11, maybe just 12 when I first got mine.

Wise to have a selection of different absorption pads, some with wings, some without. She can then choose what's comfortable and works for her. Hot water bottle/heat packs & paracetamol in case she's uncomfortable, My cousin made a special basket in the bathroom cupboard for her DD so that if she didn't feel comfortable or her mum wasn't home, she had everything available that she'd need when it happened.

I wasn't ready for this answer, I was really hoping the response would be a year or so yet 😅

Ok, I'll make up a little basket for her. Her bedroom is right next to the bathroom so I can probably leave it in her room.

My DDs were in January of Y7. They are young for their year. Most of their friends started in Y6. A few not til Y9.

I was 10, my dd is 11 and got hers a few weeks ago, she’ll be 12 next month. It really can be any time. Just make sure she’s prepared, has everything she needs and knows what to. She may not be at home when she gets them.

My Daughters were 12 and 9 months, 11 and 5 months and 14 and 10 months.

My understanding is that once they get to 50kg you are in the zone.

My daughter was 11 and it was surprising as she's tiny and a dancer and I thought we had ages yet.

I'd be ready as being unprepared is the worst. My daughter prefers the lil lets version as she's so small the adult ones aren't comfortable. She uses those and period pants to double up.

Dance was a headache to figure out so if your daughter swims, dances or does gymnastics have a think about it now to have a plan to try.

50kg! I'd graduated before I hit that milstone. I never knew that.

50kg?

I myself as an adult have weighed somewhere between 51-60kg. I definitely weighed a lot less when I started my periods at 12! BMI has always been 20-25, so not underweight either.

According to my understanding, periods tend to start around 1 year - 18 months after breast budding. There's also typically a growth spurt in the months preceding. Girls tend to reach something like 90% of their adult height before menarche and only grow between 5-7cm after it.

About 18-24 months after breasts start forming. Although I think it can be hard to pin point when that really started so perhaps look out from 12 months after. If she's 11 and breast buds have started in last feew months I would say that's a pretty normal trajectory and I would expect her to start around 12-13.

Varies so much, one of mine was 14, one was 16 whereas I was 11.

Leave appropriate supplies in the main bathroom she uses and buy a little pouch to put in her school bag

Ignore the 50kg comment, my dd is 50kg now! She's size 6 as an adult (doesn't take after me) I was only 59kg when I went to university so was considerably lighter at 11.

A bit of a grim answer, but keep an eye on their vaginal discharge while doing the laundry. They have a little from 10ish but in the runup to starting their periods it gets heavier and more “adult”. I told my eldest DD to tell me if she ever got discharge which was a bit like uncooked egg white because it would mean her first period was probably on the way. She did, and started two weeks later.

It's varies hugely between girls. Of my three daughters two were 9 and one was 10.

My DD is 14 next week & still waiting. I have seen a bit body change in her recently & noticed a few spots this week z which is unusual for her. I think she's done well to get to 14 without starting. I hope it is a while longer but Im not convinced.
I'm just glad she's a bit older so will be able to handle easily enough. I feel a bit sad for the 9/10 year olds that start it must be a lot for them.

It must be so hard for those that start at 9/10.

I'll get a little pouch to go in her school bag.

She's ready in terms of information, she's got a couple of books about periods and growing up.

For swimming, I understand you can get swimming period wear now 🤯 which is pretty amazing.

I remember having breast buds at about 11 my period started just after I turned 13. I don't think weight has anything to do with it I must have been about 5.5-6 stone I was tiny. I was the first of my friends and they were all bigger than me in height and weight

My DD was 13 and 4 months.

My dd got hers and went swimming the next day, she was determined. She went rock climbing too when it was in full flow. To be honest she’s so active and sporty (and tiny) I’m kind of surprised she get them.

Yeah I think it’s a mix…not set on weight at all. My dd is very sporty and active. Shes the smallest and tiny in fitting (age 11.5 and wears 9-11 in H&M and age 10 in most other stores. Shes the smallest in her class and is the 2nd to get her period.

My dd was 11. She told me at the time that at least 5 or 6 girls in her class had started already. I was surprised I suppose. I was 13 (going on 14) myself and so was my older dd.

I was 13 and a few months and remember starting to get buds at 10 as I was really self conscious of them. I think it can be 2-3 years after first signs of puberty.....

My daughter was 15, I was 16. X