Daughter's first Menstrual Cycle
 

My daughter (age 10) got her first period today.

Now the question. Should we encourage her to use tampons or pads?

My wife uses pads, but I have heard that there is more "freedom" for lack of a better word with tampons.

Suggestions?

Thanks.

Dragonhawk

start her off with pads, make sure to buy a variety of sizes if she's really nervous or shy about it [so she can make the choices herself without the embarrassment of asking].

keep some tampons around, if she wants them, she can use them, but i don't think there's a real need to introduce them to her until she's more familiar to having a period anyway.

Whatever 'freedom' is really in what she wears and how much activity she does. If she wears tight skimpy clothes or lots of skirts or dresses [i hope not the tight skimpy wear] or does a lot of running/swimming/athletics, a tampon will make things easier.

She does lots of running/swimming/athletics. She is in Takwondo, Soccer, basketball.
And, she has to wear skirts to school.

Sounds like a good way to start though.

Thanks!

Jesus, shes 10?!?!?!?!? Are girls maturing faster now or is it just my imagination? I think I was 15 my first time! Wow...

Okay, shock over.

Start her off with pads. Yes, tampons make it easier when running around and all of that. But she's young, and with this being the strat, tampons might freak her out. Have your wife talk to her, explain the process of tampons (inserting etc.)

Im amazed that you're posting on here, being a man. I think it's great that you're concerned for your daughter, and seeking information :)

I care for my family very much. Posting is no big deal. :)

Yea, I was in shock at her only being 10 too. It seems that it is common now days. Most kids in her soccer and swim teams are already shaving their legs, and wearing bras.

My wife is a little nervous about tampons. She has never used them. She is from El Salvador, and her grandmother thought that when you had your period, you should stay in bed till it was gone! My daughter is so active though, it sounds like maybe someday that tampons will be the thing for her.

Thanks again!

I got mine around 9/10...no biggie.

it takes a while for menstruation to become regular, but if it you go for the tampons [which sounds like a good idea in this case], pantyliners are also appropriate to use with it. Uh, definately use applicators.

The age has been going down six months per decade for the last hundred years or so.

Quote:

I think I was 15 my first time!

where did you grow up? Were you later than other girls your age?

Quote:

... Im amazed that you're posting on here, being a man. I think it's great that you're concerned for your daughter, and seeking information :)

Yes. Big pat on the back for a father who doesn't hide in the garage...

I was just the right age for TSS to be a major problem when I started. I think a lot of girls my age never went near tampons.

I'm from New York. I probably was a year or so behind most girls I knew. Wasn't a big deal for me....

It just seems like girls are growing up so much quicker now. Makes me feel old, and I'm only 25!

Well, my wife and my daughter went to the bookstore after school yesterday and bought a book on the subject. It is called
Period.

It is very well written and informitive. It covers everything from how much, how often, myths and legends, and even pads vs. tampoons.

It even comes with a Parent's guide.

That's really cool.

I want you as a dad! Well.... 10 years ago it woulda been nice.

Seriously, you sound like a great guy :)

Getting her the book is a fantastic idea. If you're looking for another book that deals not only with periods but with body/hormonal/life changes, I'm a fan of the What's Happening to Me? series. It deals well with body changes and the beginning of puberty, but doesn't touch on subjects that are probably not yet interesting to a ten-year-old, like dating and questioning religion, vegetarianism...standard teen things that are dealt with really well in, for example, Deal With It! A Guide to Your Body, Brain, and Life as a Gurl.

As for the tampons/pads questions, I'll just second what everyone else has said. Start with pads and introduce tampons, giving her lots of different options as far as size goes. They make slender-size regular-absorbency tampons aimed at younger teens, and that might be a good place to start (Tampax and Playtex make them, I believe.)

Thanks again for all the comments.
We surrvived that and the first week of school.