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Teenagers

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

Original poster

11 year old DD just got her period for the first time and we are going on holiday in 4 weeks

78 replies

Newbeginingssameoldshite · 03/05/2024 11:59

So it looks like she may get her period whilst we are abroad. :(

She has handled her first cycle like a little super star but I'm really worried she will get her period whilst on holiday. (As it's her first we have non idea of cycle.length etc.) At 11 she's obviously using pads and I we haven't even discussed tampons yet as she is so young. Is there anything that would allow her to swim and enjoy all the usual fun of a holiday?

OP posts:
PheobeBebe · 03/05/2024 12:00

As it's her first one she is unlikely to be 28 days from the start. To cover yourself just get some period swimwear

SapphireOpal · 03/05/2024 12:01

Period swimwear!

She may not get another one in 4 weeks time though, they can be irregular

Wholelotagrey · 03/05/2024 12:01

Second period bikini pants work amazingly well

MrsAncunin · 03/05/2024 12:02

Oh the joys of being a woman

I think they do period swimwear now so that might be an idea.

ranoutofquinoaandprosecco · 03/05/2024 12:04

Absolutely to period swimwear and my DD13 likes the period pants as well, she's got some from M&S and some from Primark, she's seen some swimwear she likes from Modibodi.

HolidayHappy123 · 03/05/2024 12:04

Wuka period pants and swimwear are a total game changer. No need for pads most of the time.

AnnaMagnani · 03/05/2024 12:05

Very unlikely to be regular at this point.

But period swimwear to be on the safe side.

dameofdilemma · 03/05/2024 17:10

Dd has used modibodi period swimwear for holidays and swim club. She is nearly 12 and wears an xs in their teen range. (I wear an xs in the adult range and it would be too big for her).

Couple of suggestions:
Buy a couple of pairs of the period swim pants. If she does get her period, she can wear them under her swimsuit which gives a bit more protection and confidence. We found that a tank style bikini with wider style biking bottoms worked best so they don’t show.

Best to get her to change the swim pants for clean ones after a couple of hours. You can hand rinse them and hand wash them.

Dd started her periods at 9 and they became more regular and more heavy by age ten. She probably wouldn’t rely on the swim pants on day one of her period as it’s her heaviest day. That’s just her preference tho.

Needanewjobsoon · 03/05/2024 17:13

Does period d swm pants just collect it all then?

I've wondered about period pants for my daughter and can't see how they'd work in water...

CaptainCarrotsBigSword · 03/05/2024 17:13

Period swimwear. Period pants. You can get really nice stuff these days.

But given how irregular it all is to start with, I would say 4 weeks from now is probably the least likely time for her to get period #2!

Smartiepants79 · 03/05/2024 17:14

Period swimwear.
Mine wear period pants under the costume and cycling shorts over. Seems to work.

Cbljgdpk · 03/05/2024 17:18

You can get medication to delay a period; you may not want to for an 11 year old and not sure what the minimum age is but just thought I’d mention it.

Cheeesus · 03/05/2024 17:19

I wouldn’t totally rule out tampons either.

MariaVT65 · 03/05/2024 17:20

Another view, i would also bring painkillers with you in case she gets cramps. My periods as a teenager were awful.

WeightoftheWorld · 03/05/2024 17:21

Tbh id take her to the GP and get norethisterone or whatever it's called to take to make sure she doesn't have a period whilst you're on holiday.

PotatoPudding · 03/05/2024 17:23

She’s unlikely to be on a regular cycle yet but try her on period swimwear and period pants.

Cheeky Wipes is probably the best value for pants but not sure if they do girls swimwear.

Blueuggboots · 03/05/2024 17:23

Why can she not use tampons? I'm not sure she is an issue...

Blueuggboots · 03/05/2024 17:23

*I'm not sure age is an issue

Iwantamarshmallowman · 03/05/2024 17:32

I saw period swimsuits in primark today and they had loads of lovely soft period pants.

ThinkingAgainAndAgain · 03/05/2024 17:34

I used tampons from my second period and didn’t look back for nearly 40 years. Just saying this as it is a possibility, if she wants to. Period swimwear wasn’t an option then, or I’d probably have tried that.

BaronessEllarawrosaurus · 03/05/2024 17:38

Dd started at 11 and for the first 6 months she was 2 months between periods so I wouldn't worry too much about the holiday. She uses period pants and loves them.

Leafalotta · 03/05/2024 17:43

There are so many more options than pads and tampons these days! I haven't used either in over a decade. Period pants and swimwear probably best at 11 but make sure she's aware of cups too for future.

I'd be surprised if you would get the medication prescribed for an 11 yr old who has only had one period.

thirtyseven37 · 03/05/2024 17:46

How do period swim pants stop period blood from going into the water?

BettySundaes · 03/05/2024 17:46

I agree with @CaptainCarrotsBigSword very unlikely she will immediately be on a 28 day cycle. She may not have her second period for many months they are generally very irregular at first.

Smartiepants79 · 03/05/2024 19:35

On the other hand my 11 year old had 3 periods in6 weeks when hers first started a few months ago.
There is no way she would cope with tampons! Her body is so not ready and neither is her brain!