My daughter is likely to start her periods in the coming months. Can anyone else in this boat give me some advice on hygiene products that are preferred by girls these days? It's been awhile since I've needed to be concerned about this, but her comfort is my greatest concern. Many thanks!
To be clear, DD is just turning 12, and we are in line with her doctor's advice to forego tampons until she's a few years older because of TSS.
I bought my daughter tampons and she was a happy camper. Really her biggest worry was sports, problem solved.
Just ask her what she needs.
I'd offer both some pads and some 'gentle glide' type tampons, something very easy to insert. One thing to consider is giving her something like a cute coin purse to store those things in, so as not to draw attention to those products, because girls can get embarrassed. This way, she'll also have them on hand in a backpack in case it starts during school. (This happened to many girls I knew.)Maybe also an extra pair of underpants to carry in there too?That way, if her period starts at school, she can just discreetly trash the bled-on panties and have something comfortable and clean to wear.
You know your DD best, and depending on her personality and her age, you may not want to address tampons at the very start. My mom put a box of pads in the cabinet, told me what they were for (we'd discussed puberty before this) and when I needed them, I went and got them. Some people like a big to do. I wanted to be left alone. So take her cues. If she needs ibuprofen, if she wants something different, etc. You can get sample packs from a lot of manufacturers if you want to try a bunch of things for free. We are fans of Always here (love their Infinity line) and Playtex sport, Kotex U, and Tampax. My mom used OB but I never got the hang of them. And do let her know that she needs to change whatever she uses regularly and explain how to get blood out of underwear.
It may help to buy a variety of both and different brands. A small box of each to let her try and see what she likes. That way she has her options in advanced and can look at them or talk to you if she wants to or has questions.
I personally love soft cups or my Diva cup, but I think these may be too large for a young teen girl. I would get her OB tampons, they are the shortest and easiest to use. Most girls I know who still use tampons over cups swear by OB, that is what I used before I switched to cups.
I recently heard of the book "The Care and Keeping of You". It is pretty cheap on amazon, but I actually look forward to buying this when my girls get older, and start approaching these changes in life. It is geared towards pre-pubescent (sp?) girls.
I myself, have worn Always pads with wings - very thin and feel unnoticable.
I'd get her both maxi-thins like always and a box of platex plastic gentle guide applicator (they have a "jr" size too)
I couldn't stand the tampax cardboard ones or the sport ones, even to this day, I have to use the platex ones...they are so much more gentle and don't pinch.
Talk to her and ask her what she wants. I always liked to wipe off with a baby wipe when I used the bathroom. Explain to her she can wipe her bottom with a baby or femine wipe when she goes to the bathroom.
Get her a small cosmetic bag to carry supplies in her purse.
Don't forget to tell grandmas and aunts when she starts so they can show her were the supplies are at their house. I showed my granddaughter where the stuff is and told her to use what she needed. I also told her I don't use them anymore so if I am running out let me know.
