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Teenagers

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

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Original poster

Daughter due to start periods, any advice welcome!

73 replies

Choccymumma · 12/06/2023 19:01

Hi all,
My daughter is showing signs of periods arriving soon and I wondered if there is any advice you would give to me that you would have liked yourself?
Pads, tampons, knickers, practical advice, anything really?

OP posts:
DickieAttenborough · 12/06/2023 21:53

I put together a sort of gift box of san pro- range of different towels and tampons and some period pants- with a few treaty things as well like chocolate and a nice bath oil, painkillers etc. So when DD started she had access to a whole range of things and could try them out to see what she liked. Would suggest having san pro available generally and encourage her to have a look and help herself even before she starts so that it’s not an unknown.

Original poster
Choccymumma · 12/06/2023 21:57

unicorncrumble · 12/06/2023 21:17

Hi, following this thread with interest, but can I ask what signs have you found? I feel a bit clueless. My 10 year old has Pubic hair and boobs growing but has had for a year. What do I need her to look out for? Ive talked to her about periods, and she goes to school with a little pack of spare pants, pads, period pants

Show quote history

Hi,
Weird isn't it? We all went through it but now I feel clueless too!
She's had the breast buds growing for a couple of years now, public hair in the last year and now odd bits of discharge (sorry this!) I read that it's generally within the year from this point.

OP posts:
Original poster
Choccymumma · 12/06/2023 21:58

Thanks all, these are great ideas and ones I shall definitely be doing. Period pants sound fabulous! Is Mobibodi the best place to get them? Sizewise, is it in age range?

OP posts:
bendmeoverbackwards · 12/06/2023 22:41

What a lovely thoughtful mum you are!

I would add this - when I started I was embarrassed to tell my mum and for some reason I thought I had to tell her each time. I would have preferred a stock of san pro in the bathroom and less conversation!

Passthecake30 · 12/06/2023 22:49

I’d suggest stocking up on black knickers, dark pjs and buy the lillets starter pack.

GrainOfSalt · 12/06/2023 22:50

Period pants are a complete game changer. Get the decent ones rather than the cheapy ones and they will last. Keep a pair in the bottom of her school bag :)

Mykittensmittens · 12/06/2023 22:59

Choccymumma · 12/06/2023 21:58

Thanks all, these are great ideas and ones I shall definitely be doing. Period pants sound fabulous! Is Mobibodi the best place to get them? Sizewise, is it in age range?

Modibodi teen range is called ‘red’ - refer to the specific sizing for this range on this site as it’s different to adult sizing and I thought confusing and had to send them back as they were tiny!

https://support.modibodi.com/en-US/what-size-am-i-in-modibodi-and-modibodi-teen-13799

they are very good. You can get swimwear too.

i wash DDs with a capful of dettol laundry cleanser as I thought they were getting a bit stinky, but that sorted it. No issues now.

What size am I in Modibodi and Modibodi RED?

When choosing Modibodi underpants, swimwear or activewear, we highly recommend you choose your usual underpants, swimwear or activewear size.  When choosing Modibodi RED (teen) underpants and swimwear please be aware it is based on youth sizes which

https://support.modibodi.com/en-US/what-size-am-i-in-modibodi-and-modibodi-teen-13799

Original poster
Choccymumma · 12/06/2023 23:02

bendmeoverbackwards · 12/06/2023 22:41

What a lovely thoughtful mum you are!

I would add this - when I started I was embarrassed to tell my mum and for some reason I thought I had to tell her each time. I would have preferred a stock of san pro in the bathroom and less conversation!

Aah thank you, that's very kind x

OP posts:
Original poster
Choccymumma · 12/06/2023 23:03

HebeMumsnet · 12/06/2023 21:04

Evening, everyone. We had to delete some troll hunting early on here, so we just wanted to pop in and reassure anyone, in case it were needed, that we've had a look at the OP and there's nothing we can see to make us think she isn't genuine.

She had asked us to remove the thread but has kindly agreed to give it a go so please do help her out with some advice and suggestions. This is a topic so many of us need a bit of help with and it would be a shame to let the fact that we occasionally have the odd troll through on this subject stop parents from discussing such an important everyday topic. We like to think this is the kind of thing Mumsnet is here for in the first place.

Thank you to all who have already posted with ideas. Flowers

Thank you!

OP posts:
msmonstera · 12/06/2023 23:07

Have a proper bathroom bin (with a lid) at home for sanitary products. Nothing worse than having to smuggle them into a kitchen bin when I was that age.

TinaYouFatLard · 12/06/2023 23:14

I bought Modibodi for DD but have replaced them with M&S ones - they are a game changer.

Catbumps · 12/06/2023 23:18

Why is this a ‘topic we all need a bit of help with?’ Surely if you have a child of this age they know what periods are and how to manage them, and if they don’t shame on you tbh

Mischance · 12/06/2023 23:19

I am aghast at the period pants thing - my periods were like Noah's flood from Day One - we're talking tampax plus two pads. It was a recurring nightmare for decades.

Catbumps · 12/06/2023 23:19

I would add this - when I started I was embarrassed to tell my mum

I’m sorry your mum failed you as a parent. It’s so awful you didn’t have the support you needed at this critical time.

Chocolatepumpkin · 12/06/2023 23:25

M&S period pants are quite good, they can be machine washed and dried on low too which some others can't.

mosiacmaker · 12/06/2023 23:26

One thing I wish my mum had mentioned was PMS! I literally broke up with my highschool boyfriend once a month and this pattern of huge fights with boyfriends continued until I was literally about 22 before I clocked the pattern. Could have saved everyone a lot of time and heartache if an adult had pointed this out to me 😂

BonjourCrisette · 12/06/2023 23:35

Another Modibodi recommendation. They are pricey but really really good. And they can definitely cope with heavier periods.

Deadringer · 12/06/2023 23:53

My dd has sensory issues and period pants work well for her. She puts on a fresh pair in the morning, changes after school, and again at bedtime. They are so handy, and great to know that we aren't adding to landfill.

Deadringer · 12/06/2023 23:54

Btw I bought them on amazon

Helena189 · 13/06/2023 00:03

My daughter's wasn't keen on the period pants option, they opted for pads. We've been through a fair few different brands and we've settled on aldi's being the most absorbant. Also I keep a pack of wipes in the bathroom so they can freshen up if needed (they do know not to flush them in the loo)

Helena189 · 13/06/2023 00:05

I second black underwear too, particularly during the trial and error stage

LittleBearPad · 13/06/2023 00:19

Catbumps · 12/06/2023 23:18

Why is this a ‘topic we all need a bit of help with?’ Surely if you have a child of this age they know what periods are and how to manage them, and if they don’t shame on you tbh

Because knowing which ranges of period pant are good for example is quite handy?

Clearly you were an expert from the get go. Well done you!

TisforTucan · 13/06/2023 00:21

What about a little gift basket full of pants, pads, cups or tampons ect so she can choose? I'd stick her favourite things in there with chocolate and a Blu-ray or book and some paracetamol and a hot water bottle.

I remember my first time sitting on a loo being on total panic there was blood suddenly but atleast I was at home. I had no idea so maybe it would help having a talk before if you haven't and giving her a small makeup bag full of things for school like suggested.

Seddon · 13/06/2023 00:26

Mischance · 12/06/2023 23:19

I am aghast at the period pants thing - my periods were like Noah's flood from Day One - we're talking tampax plus two pads. It was a recurring nightmare for decades.

I was the same until menopause, tried every possible product out there, and period pants were the only thing that allowed me to get on with life (and sleep all night) without leaks. Used in combination with tampons/pads or as a backup on long or heavy days if necessary.

Original poster
Choccymumma · 13/06/2023 07:42

Odd question but how do you know when you need to change period pants? Are they just like a pad in knickers?

OP posts:
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