Help! 10 Yr Old First Period.

hi, I don't have daughters so I really cant say what is good now but I will share two experiences I had as a child that might help,

1. I went straight to the tampon... never liked the pad still dont at 46, but I used the smallest OB tampon, because they fit my very small frame, and I could control them easier. the other tampons would either not sit in the right place or, for me tampax was the worse, it will "expand" out of me, the others always just seemed to long for the the space I had to put it, it you know what I mean.

2. tell her Dad! and tell him that if she ever needs to be picked up from school and doesn't offer a reason, tell him not to ask and not to push!!! can I just say I still remember that phone call to my dad trying to explain that he needed to pick me up at school, NOW!!! I finally had to tell him or he wouldn't have picked me up, and that was the longest, quietest 2 mile car ride in the history of my world :) I can laugh about it now but then... I was mortified!

My daughter started this past July right after she turned 11. We went to the store and bought two different brands (Always and Stay Free I believe) of the ultra thin regular length pads to see which she likes best. I think one had wings and one did not. I'll probably just keeping buying different ones until she decides which one she likes most. My daughter is very tall for her age. She gets mistaken for an older teenager all the time so a regular thin pad works just fine for her. She tried using one of my ultra thin overnight pads once and hated it because it was too long so I would say at least stick to the regular length or shorter, if that's a possibility.

Since my daughter started during the summer, we didn't have to worry about school right away, and she actually only had her period for July and August and hasn't had her period again since so we've not yet had to deal with her having her period while in school. When it does come during school however, I would not send a note to the teacher or nurse about it as I am sure they are aware of these things at this age. I might contact the nurse to see how they handle administering advil for girls who have cramps should she have that issue in the future, but that would be about the only thing I would do differently with regards to school.

As far as frequent bathroom breaks go, my daughter's flow was not heavy enough to warrant too many more bathroom breaks than usual so again, she hasn't had to worry about that issue yet. Fortunately, my daughter has a few friends that started before her so she seems a little more at ease in dealing with the issue. I don't think she would be embarrassed to ask to go to the bathroom a few extra times if needed and I would definitely instruct her that she doesn't need to say why she needs to go, and to let me know if a teacher actually questions her about it. If that were to happen, I would definitely be contacting the school as that would be highly inappropriate in my opinion.

Isn't it funny all the things we think about now that our mothers never had to. I mean, how many different pads were there when we were that age? And my mom never would have contacted the nurse or teacher to let them know I had started my period. They would have thought she was a kook! Of course, if I needed an aspirin, I could take it to school in my purse and I wouldn't be arrested by the on campus police for taking meds for cramps either. :-/

Don't worry momma. Our girls will be A-ok. We figured it out and I am sure they will too. :-)

Blessings,
N.

I got my period when I was 10, too. Stunk. Still does, actually : )

I would just send a note in to the teacher via email if you can (don't even mention it to your daughter) keeping her in the loop. Also you might want to OK advil with the school nurse for cramps.

It's been a while since I was 10, so I'll let current moms figure out the other part of your question.

good luck to you both!

She should never have to explain why she needs to go to the bathroom at school! I like always thin pads with wings I have heavy periods and have not had a problem with them. I think its kotex that I saw that had some in brightly colored packaging that may appeal more or are targeted more for the younger crowd I don't know though because I haven't tried them. You may want to speak with the school nurse in case your daughter has cramps so the nurse can give her some advil/motrin.

Thank GOD, I don't have to go through it anymore for the last 10 yrs!! Thank to a hysterectomy that was a Godsend.

I do have a 16 yr old (almost), and she started around 12. She was prepared since 10ish to have something or be able to discreetly say to the teacher, "I need the nurse". It is like a "code" at the schools here and girls get the go ahead to see the nurse or restroom.

My daughter used a pad the first month and shortly after started tampons which is SO MUCH better. She still uses a pad at night...Stayfee brand is her preference with the Playtex tampons. You can get slender tampons as well.

One thing I really suggest is to keep a calendar of her schedule. I helped daughter with it the first 2 yrs. She does it on her own now.... if she gets irregular, she says so.
Good luck!

My dgtrs both like the stayfree unscented thin pads, but be sure not to confuse panty liners on the heavy days..my poor baby leaked all over her khaki pants because she got mixed up. On that note, it might be a good idea to have a spare pair of pants in her locker at school in case of leaks. All the 5th/6th grade teachers I know are prepared to handle such sensitive cases, in fact the boys started complaining last year at my dgtrs elem school because the teachers "always" let the girls go to the restroom when they asked, but the boys had to wait...lol! I also purchased cute little purses for my girls to carry when they started, a sort've welcome to womanhood gift :) Isn't life grand?!

I don't have any daughters (that are living).
Let her choose different brands to find what she likes. My mom had a hystectomy before I started my period so I didn't get to try her favorite brand. I had to get lots of different kinds to find what was most comfortable for me.
I also use heavy adult diapers at night (without a pad) because my flow is just a mess at night no matter what pads I use. I had to do this as a teen too.
I would talk to her teacher & tell him/her that she needs to be allowed to go to the restroom as many times as she needs. I never had to run to the bathroom 5 times a day. I just used the restroom in the morning (before class), at lunch & before getting on the bus. However I was 15 & a freshman in high school when I started.

However I wouldn't have her use tampons yet.
My favorite pads are Always Infinity. I only use the overnight ones. They are awesome & hold a lot without leaking (great for when you can't change it for a few hours).

God bless!

Being a former teacher of 2nd, 3rd, and 5th graders - YES tell the teacher. In 5th grade I told a child 'no' to potty time and she whispered 'But it's that time of the month for me.' Poor girl. I didn't know. She was embarassed a little I think.

You can tell the nurse if you want, but not really necessary. If you want her to, she could even give your child a 'talk' about her body and why it's changing. In 4th and 5th grade in Texas, often kids are given a presentation by the nurse and given a 'care package' of deoderant and pads and tampons. There is sometimes a movie included too. I have not seen the movie nor seen the 'presentation' - ask the nurse about it.

Oh and btw, they make new Kotex U pads (in bright colors to appeal to teens). I think they're fine. I use the 'regular thin Kotex' because they're cheaper and work great for me.

Always Infinity ( ultra thin) ...just in case you hadn't thought about that one, it is wonderful for all ages of young ladies, they are thin and super absorbent!

I agree with the always thin with wings. I have have periods and the work for me. They are very thin and comfortable.

When I was young they had Junior pads, I do only have boys so I have never looked to see if they still do. Good luck.

First off all, google good pads. About who to tell I would tell the school nurse and ask for her to tell the teacher in private. Hope I helped :D

I meant to ad, our daughter started at about this age, we started with some pads with wings after the second month, she wasted to try tampons. I stood outside the door and coached her.. I told her to "search for the second opening".. She did great..

I would quietly send an email to her teachers... even if they are male.. Your daughter does not need to know, but the teacher will be way more attentive to her needing to go..

Sometimes, teacher will be in the middle of a huge discussion or teaching moment and will ask a child "to hold on just a few more minutes".. Or say, "can you wait 10 minutes till lunch time.". .. I do not see a problem with this, you know how it is when you just have that one more instruction.. but if the teacher is aware.. they will be more enlightend to this..

I suggest that you send a note to the teacher therefore when she need to leave the class it will not be a question why. A good product to us for girls her age is Always thin. The comes in array of sizes and they are not too bulky. I have 4 daughters and they love this product the best.

Always infinity and when she is ready for tampons playtex--the slim ones.