[yellowtulips74]

Hi everyone
My daughter (8 and a half) appears to be getting her first period.

I was (sort of) expecting this and we'd discussed it recently so it isn't a huge shock for her, but I'm wondering how best to help her through this!!

Does anyone have any ideas? Ideas for how to practically manage the hygiene stuff with an 8 year old, any products which people have found particularly useful (or particularly child-friendly), etc?

All words of wisdom will be very welcome!

[Apageintime]

Libra hearts pads are specifically for smaller bodies, but maybe get her lots of samples so she can try.
Also get her a cute little pencil case to keep spare pads in, as well as extra pairs of little lycra shorts for extra leakage protection when she has her period.

Make sure the school knows and can provide her adequate pain relief (ie nutofen not panadol).

[jks91]

On the topic of school I would ask whether the toilets closest to her classroom or that she was required to use have sanitary disposal units. I recall being in primary school and only one single cubicle in the whole school (accessible to students) having a disposal unit.

As a PP said get loads of samples. And take her to pick a special pencil case for necessities, even now I have a Forever New one in my handbag with pads/liners/tampons/nurofen etc.

[lsolaBella]

Not anywhere near that but I bookmarked something for the future from another EBer

http://www.buddiesunderwear.com.au/

Pants for no leaks

[bluecardigans]

Not anywhere near that but I bookmarked something for the future from another EBer

http://www.buddiesunderwear.com.au/

Pants for no leaks

Awesome. I wish these were around when we were kids. What a great idea. .

[Juki]

Only when I got older I found tracking to be helpful to predict when it is going to happen, I use an app, maybe you could get one just for her to use on your phone etc i use one called Pinkpad
Don't be afraid of explaining all of the options for her, i couldn't think of anything worse than having Swimming in PE and not knowing about tampons. Even if she doesn't want to use them straight away, at least she will know about them.
Umm other than that, make sure she knows where they are kept at the shops and maybe get her the little bags to dispose of the stuff.

[FuzzyMum]

Hi OP

I can fully empathise with you. My DD was early as well. The suggestions of other pps are really great. I also went and met with her teacher and also wrote a note to the female teacher on her grade to ask if my DD had questions that she only wanted to speak to a female teacher about if she could act in that capacity and just to help support her through it.

I did show my DD a diagram to help explain what was happening and with tampons, I went through what they were and showed her how they work by dropping one into a glass of water.

Lots of hands on, get her to practice using the pad and go through the ways to dispose of them after use. Also ensure that she has plenty of supplies in a small case in her bag - large enough for a clean pair of undies and the pads.

Just being matter of fact about it and open to questions worked really well with my DD and she coped very well.

[anabh]

When my daughter got her first period, it wasnt like a real period and then there was nothing for months! It is so unfair when they start menstruating so young!

[yellowtulips74]

Thank you so much everyone! All brilliant suggestions.

I really appreciate your help.

Oh, and I also wish those bike shorts were available when we were kids.