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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

sanitary towel recommendations

30 replies

strangerthongs · 25/02/2019 17:52

DD (11) hates wearing sanitary towels but will not consider either a tampon or a cup, nor do I want her using them at this stage as she is too young plus still getting used to her periods and her changing body.

She says her towels are too uncomfortable and big. We've tried always, lilets, bodyform versions and she doesn't like any of them, whether teen versions or standard sizes.

Are there any recommendations?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 25/02/2019 17:53

Period pants?

Original poster
strangerthongs · 25/02/2019 18:09

I looked at these options but I'm not convinced that they wont leak. I did buy a pair and DD doesn't like the feeling of them.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 25/02/2019 18:12

Doesn't sound like she likes the feel of anything! My dd likes kotex pads that I buy from discount chemist places. The ones without wings are quite thick but soft

CricketSnicket · 25/02/2019 18:17

What about cotton washables?

PippilottaLongstocking · 25/02/2019 18:39

the most comfortable ones I’ve used are called something like ‘hey girls’ but they’re not cheap, I’m thinking about moving on to washable because apparently they’re very comfortable

HalfBloodPrincess · 25/02/2019 18:41

My dd has tried loads of different towels but prefers the Tesco own brand.

Candace19 · 25/02/2019 18:42

Body form are the only brand for me. Always are plasticky and really make me itch!

Averysmallcasserole · 25/02/2019 20:35

Oh...body form....bodyform for me too. Not sure why but they’re the best and least sweaty (sorry but some other cheap ones are)
I don’t fancy the period pants one bit. I started using tampons at 12 no problem though so don’t rule it out

ashvivienne · 26/02/2019 05:26

DD used to have a Betty box subscription which has sized pads to fit younger girls she went for the more expensive box which had pads, night pads, liners and wipes in it along with monthly treats like some sweets and make up just a nice treat when let’s be honest you feel a bit shit. I think it cost me about £65 for 6 months worth as we paid upfront but I know they do a basic box with pads and liners etc for about £6 a month

isthismylifenow · 26/02/2019 06:25

I second the washable pads suggestion.

My dd could also not get on with disposable pads, they caused a lot of rashes and itching. Since she started to use the washables, she has said she will never use a disposable again.

And laundering them really is not a big issue.

At change, used one goes into the bucket, she rinses them out of the end of the day and handwashes them. And the end of each cycle they all get a good machine wash. Or they go in machine if there are enough, just depends.

And some of them that you can buy now are really quite nice, with unicorns and all sorts of nice designs for a preteen.

Original poster
strangerthongs · 26/02/2019 18:55

Okay so I'm thinking of giving the period pants another go with DD but I'm not sure what brand to try? (we already tried modibodi which was an expensive waste of money as she didn't like them)

I'm looking at Wuka, Thinx and Cheeky Wipes but they all look really expensive!

DD doesn't like elastic, anything too big, or boy shorts.

Which brand is best and are there any other UK brands?

OP posts:
Original poster
strangerthongs · 26/02/2019 18:56

PS I'd like to buy a pack of 5, rather than just 1 for £25 or whatever!

OP posts:
Seeline · 26/02/2019 19:01

Not wanting to hijack, but how do period pants work? Do you wear the same pair all day, or do they need changing every few hours like pads? If so, what is the advantage of having to carry bloody pants round for the rest of the day?

keepingbees · 26/02/2019 19:10

Aldi own brand ones are very absorbant, more so than branded ones in my opinion, so they are quite comfortable. They are only about 50p a pack so maybe worth a try. Asda's own brand aren't bad either, again cheap and the normal flow ones aren't too long.

Original poster
strangerthongs · 26/02/2019 19:16

are they not incontinence pants rather than period pants?

seeline - you wear them all day and wash in a cold wash in the machine apparently

OP posts:
millimat · 26/02/2019 22:33

How can you wear the same period pants all day?Hmm

BackforGood · 26/02/2019 23:05

I was wondering that.

Honestly, with the sanitary towels, try the real basic ones - any supermarket basics, or Wilkinsons do a good range.

isthismylifenow · 27/02/2019 05:47

I honestly was of the impression that period pants were just a back up for using with another sanitary product.

I looked at some online (I am not in UK so this was an American brand) and the biggest complaint was that the sizings were very out. And they are not cheap, i think its a lot of money for risking sizes, then having to return etc etc. I am sure its easier in UK if they are manufactured there.but for me its a faff to bring in from overseas.

And i also wondered about the wearing one pair all day.... Does not seem right to me somehow.

Isitme13 · 27/02/2019 06:04

Period pants vary, just like any other product. Some are for back up, some can be used to replace other protection, depending on how heavy your period is.

My eldest uses them (Thinx, A’s has been using a while and that is what was available then). She is disabled, and struggled with pads and always needed help (not ideal for her own dignity and independence).

I also now use them, as I had to trial them before she had them to check hey were fit for purpose. I have extremely heavy periods, especially the first 3 days.

I do have to change in the middle of the day, due to my flow. I take the point that this is not exactly the most convenient thing ever, but it is still preferable for me. Having tried the pants, I wouldn’t change back to using a moon cup full time (which I had thought was an amazing discovery and way more comfortable than pads and tampons). If necessary (because changing would be difficult), then I will use a moon cup in conjunction with period pants and so delay the need to change.

The changing isn’t the biggest faff - being a moon Cup user who needed to empty ever hour or so I needed a relatively private bathroom space anyway (TMI, but with a full to overflowing moon cup, there is likely to be significant blood on your hands, ime, so communal sinks difficult anyway), so now no big deal to change pants rather than empty mooncup - and less urgent toilet trips needed as no fear of leaks.

Ringsender2 · 27/02/2019 06:05

Tesco own brand ultra thins normal flow. Probably the short ones. Not scented - thank goodness

bellinisurge · 27/02/2019 06:29

My dd hasn't started yet but I am planning to make some customised cloth pads for her. I bought a couple of teen sized ready made ones. Obviously if she prefers disposables I will give her those - she has a couple of lilletts teen ones for an unexpected appearance of her first period away from home anyway.

MadauntofA · 27/02/2019 06:34

My Dd is quite sensitive and we ended up trying many types - she prefers Sainsbury's own version.

spreadingchestnuttree · 27/02/2019 06:46

Why do you think she's too young for tampons? My dd is the same age and uses them along with pads. I've also just bought her some cheeky wipes pants although she's yet to try those - I thought they could be a good backup for tampons.

isthismylifenow · 27/02/2019 06:57

Why do you think she's too young for tampons

I think this is quite a personal choice, and I suppose at 11 some girls just aren't ready or don't want to.

My dd started her periods at age 10 and is a dancer so for me I thought that using tampons would be the obvious answer for when wearing dance outfits. But she was not open to trying them, and I was not going to force her. She is uses them now, 5 years later, but still prefers her cloth pads.

I think its personal preference really.

MadauntofA · 27/02/2019 07:05

My dad tried tampons at 11 when we were going on holiday and hasn't looked back - much prefers them now with a pad as a back up, so don't discount them completely

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