Feminine Products for Small, Young Women

Hi C.~

I would actually respectfully disagree with you on pantiliners being satisfactory for a young, small girl.

I was 12 when I started my period, and I bled like a stuck pig. I remember soaking through the maxiest of maxi pads, through my undies, and through the shorts I wore over them as extra protection under my school uniform. I would just suggest that you be cautious not to underestimate how much bleeding could be involved with a young girl, because period accidents at that young, tender age are terribly embarrassing, maybe the most embarrassing thing that can happen at that age. At least in my experience.

Certainly, there are many very absorbent, thinner, less conspicuous pads these days that can be worn, but I'd recommend trying tampons as soon as she is ready to give them a try. And they do have slender ones to make it more comfortable inserting them. I started using them at age 13, and what a relief it was... I felt so much freer to do things without worry, and I could use a pad with a tampon to ensure there would be no more embarrassing accidents.

Hope this helps.

1 mom found this helpful

I use Always because of the "wings". Not sure if they have the smaller sizes but do get something with wings or wraps around cuz the last thing a girl wants is a leak at school! Very embarrassing! Let her try different kinds at home after school and on weekends before trying them out at school or going out. If there's an accident it's better to be at home. Boys can be pretty cruel, and girls aren't always sympathetic.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

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Always makes petit sizes. You just have to check the size on the package. They are much smaller than regular pads but have very good coverage. I used them the last week post partem cause I needed a little more than a panti liner and they worked great.

I agree with Lee. Slender tampons are the way to go! I only used pads for the first few months of my first periods. I hated pads. They seemed too conspicuous and too dirty to me.
I still cringe when I think of a classmate who was always ill-prepared for her period and she ended up walking around with blood on her pants at least one day a month.

get ultra things and my girls love always.

Tampons are great especially when they are doing sports and yes much more discreet for them. I wouldn't push it if they are not comfortable with it, does take a couple of times before they can do it properly but my dtr at 12 was fine. They do get samples from school so I think that made it a little more easier.

How small is a smaller size ? My kids wore 0's when they first got their periods. We didn't use supers or anything, but they have used regular sized pads since day one. They don't like the wings, cuz they come detached and then stick to their bodies. You can try an ultrathin, but an ordinary pad should still work. ( Obviously, it won't work with a thong, but I wouldn't think she'd want to wear a thong while having her period anyway.)

I wouldn't introduce tampons until you feel your daughter is ready. My 15 yr old wears them, my 14 year old never wanted to try. The 15 yr old likes the regular playtex tampons with the plastic applicator. We've tried some of their fancier, cooler products, but she couldn't get them in right, or they bothered her. So we have stuck with the tried and true. Both girls are more traumatized by the pad NOT covering something and getting their clothes stained than they are burdened by the size of the pad.

I'm also going to disagree on the pantyliner thing. The worst thing for a young teen (and honestly, for anyone) is to have a leak accident. Now, I didn't use tampons until I was in college, but I think they have different options these days for teens (though if the kids are 11 or 12, they still might be too young)... maybe call her pediatrician and ask? The Always infinity pads are SUPER thin (like pantyliners were when I was young). Don't get the nighttime because they will be too long, but make sure she's covered. I'd also send a extra set of clothes to school, just in case of accidents. she could keep them in her locker or gym locker.