Dds first period advice

[Mumxofxone88]

Hi everyone, my 11 year 5 month old DD started her period this weekend and I have to say she's truly handling it like a champ. I'm a single Mum and remembering how scary it was when I started my period (many moons ago now) I've made sure we've had lots of talks about "our bodies" especially in the last 12 months as she's in her final year of Primary School and I wanted her to have all the information she'd need incase it started at Secondary School, as I thought we had a little while to go yet until she'd start (I was 14 as was my Mum so I thought earliest would be 12-13 but here we are). Anyway I've purchased a bunch of period pants in various designs and absorbency levels so she can find what fits her most comfortably but I'm trying to put together a "period kit" to keep in the bottom of her school bag incase she's caught unawares etc, I've got a little zipped wet bag which fits inside another small zipped bag so she can keep a fresh pair available and swap out her used pair and I was thinking of putting some flushable toilet wipes in for her and some Calpol fastmelts (unfortunately she struggles with standard paracetamol) I was thinking just putting one dose (2 melts) in a day as she uses them as I don't want her carrying more around with her but can anyone suggest anything else she might find useful please? I was also thinking of putting together a "period box" for at home with a hot water bottle/heat pack, maybe some face/hair masks like a little pamper/self love box so if she's feeling a little achy and uncomfortable we can get the box out and have a little feel good session. Does this sound OK or am I being to much, I just want to support her as best as I can as she navigates these new hormones and feelings. Apologies it's such a long winded post, and if you've got to the bottom TYIA xx Like I said any suggestions will be gratefully recieved, I just want to make sure I'm not missing anything obvious that could make her life easier xx

That sounds lovely! You sound like a really supportive parent and it is great you are preparing your daughter for her period. The little kits are a great idea (maybe replace the flushable wipes though as they are bad for the environment).

You could also speak to her about having the confidence to approach a teacher to ask to go to the bathroom if she is caught unawares at school. She is young and might be nervous about it.

You do sound really sweet and a lovely mom - just a word of warning that I was a bit like this with my daughter, bought her a special pouch for the San pro etc, and I think I got on her nerves a bit because she felt I was making too big a deal!

But that's just her - you can always offer your dd these things and be led by her reaction. My daughter was a similar age to yours and took it totally in her stride I have to say. Hope your girl is ok too! Xx

You sound like such a lovely and caring mum! Honestly I think as to whether it’s too much or not it really depends on your DD - mine definitely wouldn’t have wanted lots of fuss but as a PP said that’s just her, they’re all different and your DD might really appreciate it. I’d probably also add some pads in to her kits for heavy days when it might be too much for period pants alone xx

Just adding to the previous post, for heavier days my DD puts a towel over her period pants so she can just remove that at lunch time, rather than having to change her pants and carry dirty ones around.

Her first few periods will probably be very irregular and light at first so I'd probably just put a couple of sanitary pads and a spare pair of knickers in her school bag (in a small toiletry bag that isn't clear). I'm in my 20s and my periods are still super heavy (but I have gynae issues) so I wear a pad in my period pants. That means you can wear the pants for longer as you swap out the pad. Please tell her teacher so they allow your dd to change her pad during lesson time. Also ask if the girls' toilets have sanitary bins.

You sound lovely. Similar to a pp, my daughter didn’t want a fuss. I gave her day time and night time pads (lillets teen) and panty liners and suggested when she’d want to change. She’s been having periods for 2.5years now, and she’s only had pain for the first day for the last 6 months. When I know she’s due (I track via an app and she’s been regular since starting) I ask her if she’s got any ibuprofen and top up her supplies - so she has no more than 4 at any time. I also make sure she has chocolate in but also healthy carbs. I also tell dp to back off when she is getting pre menstrual and he’s getting wound up!

I know you are trying to be nice and supportive but don't go over the top, it might embarrass her far more. I would just make sure there's appropriate supplies in the bathroom including towels (for heavy days doubling up with the pants can be useful) tampons (ditto, also swimming), box of paracetamol to help herself to etc but then let her access what she wants without too much touchy feely, mine were super embarrassed by any fuss!

No to the wipes as no wipes are flushable but i would put a packet of tissues in her bag in case school toilets run out of paper

Ps I'm 50 and never had pain, it's not a given

Just check whether school allows any medication to be carried by a child. Most do not.

Most technically don’t but you’d be hard pressed to find a teenage girl who has never carried paracetamol in her school bag for periods, headaches etc. Its normal and not a big deal, nor do the school really care

You sound lovely, but any chance this might be a bit OTT for your daughter?

Starting my period wasn't a big deal for me, I got on with it like a champ, as your daughter is, and didn't want or need any songs and dances.

Honestly I'd just drop it, and let her know that if there's anything else she needs to give you a shout.

Bit OTT in my opinion. I'd have been mortified with all that. I'd be trying to make it less of a big deal tbh.
But you know your DD best.

Thanks for the suggestions, I forgot to mention that I have written her a little note to give her teacher so she has the option to quietly hand it to her if she's to embarrassed to talk to her. I think I'm lucky as Dd seems grateful that she can discuss things quite freely with me, I'll continue to monitor how she goes (thanks for the app suggestion I was just going to use my calendar but app sounds better). I didn't think about pads on top of pants, do you think reusables would work, I know how bulky disposables can be and I was always self conscious at school that people could "see" them so I'm trying to make sure she's well protected against leaks but doesn't have to worry about bulk if that makes sense. Thanks again for the suggestions, dd has gone into school this morning a little anxious but prepared x

DD bled heavily from day 1, so we had a kit with spare knickers, pads and a small plastic bag in her school bag all the time.

She also has often heavy pain for 1-2 days, to the point of feeling physical sick, so pain killers are a must. But she started in Seconday school and they were allowed to take in paracetemol/ibuprofen.

She definitely appreciates that I have chocolate stocked up but otherwise she doesn't want any fuss, so a pamper kit would have been her worst nightmare. But other girls may appreciate it.

Period pants definitely make a difference but do get her used to pads and maybe tampons as well. DD had periods on holiday and there the pads are easier to deal with, the pants can't really be handwashed (she needs the heavy/overnight ones).

@Mumxofxone88 sounds like you've done a lovely job putting everything together! Had a friend going through this recently (much less prepared, so kudos!) and shared this thread with her – it massively helped. She did manage to find a tracker app too if you're still looking for the right one, called luna. It's mcuh more appropriate for younger years. Hope this helps!

Please don't let her self medicate at school. All medication needs to go to the office.

Yes, school's do care and we don't dish out paracetamol before 12.30 so they don't overdose from home.

dd 14 also uses the luna tracker and is so conscious in keeping her streak! love that she actually gets motivated to track periods and actually enjoys reading the articles on there about periods like, where was this app when I was younger... 😆