Getting your first period can feel difficult and you often have many questions and thoughts. The best thing you can do as a parent is to make it as easy and natural as possible.
Periods are not embarrassing, they are something to celebrate!
Remember to be there for your child, listen and answer ALL questions, even if they seem obvious to you.
Most girls remember very well the time they got their first period, so it’s important to make this special time one to remember with joy.
There can be many questions:
- Which menstrual products should you buy?
- Is panty liner enough or do you need a pad?
- What is a menstrual cup and how does it work with fabric pads?
Help your child feel secure by guiding them through the first time menstruating. Here is a quick guide for both parents and those who have just gotten their first period.
1. Which menstrual product should I choose for my child?
Try and find what works for you
There are many different menstrual products today, and some you might not even have heard of. How about period panties or a menstrual cup? Here we go through some of the different menstrual product options available on the market today.
Disposable Pads
Disposable pads are great for the first period since it’s easy to see how much you’ve bled and when you should change the pad.
Disposable pads often come individually wrapped and are easy to carry in your pocket or backpack.
- Natracare Organic Pads with Wings Regular 14 pcs This pad is suitable for those with a light to medium flow during their period. It comes in a thin wrapper and has wings that help it stay securely in your underwear.
- Natracare Organic Pads with Wings Super 12 pcs This pad is good for medium to heavy flow. It has wings and is longer than a regular pad.
- Natracare Organic Pads with Wings Long 10 pcs At night or if you have a heavy flow during the day, it’s nice to have a longer pad that covers more of your underwear. This pad is longer and suitable for medium to heavy flow.
Fabric Pads
Fabric pads are eco-friendly, reusable, and washable. They can be used over and over but require more care than disposable pads.
A fabric pad is a soft reusable menstrual pad that creates a fresh feeling during your period. The pad is often thin and flexible and stays securely in place with snap buttons.
- ImseVimse – Starter Kit Fabric Pads Organic Cotton Pink Sprinkle
A practical starter kit in a fabric bag with most of what you need for the first time with your period. The bag contains 3 mini pads (panty liners), 6 regular pads, 3 night pads, and 1 laundry bag.
When you get your first period, a lot happens in the body and it can feel overwhelming to also take care of cloth pads.
That’s why it’s good if parents take care of rinsing and washing the cloth pads.
Most disposable or cloth pads fit differently on different bodies and body shapes. Try different ones and try to find a pad of the right size that fits well in the underwear.
It is recommended to choose a pad with wings as it stays better in the underwear and prevents leaks.
Menstrual Cup
The menstrual cup may not be the first thing you try when you get your first period, but it is something you can definitely read up on.
The menstrual cup is actually a very good and safe menstrual protection if you want protection inside the body. The menstrual cup is reusable and saves both the environment and money.
But you also don’t have to worry about the child forgetting a tampon in the vagina and developing TSS (toxic shock syndrome).
The brand MonthlyCup has a mini menstrual cup that is well suited for the first years of menstruation. The menstrual cup, made of silicone, is inserted into the vagina and depending on the amount of bleeding, it only needs to be changed about 2-4 times a day.
The mini menstrual cup is available in transparent or pink.
Menstrual Underwear
Menstrual underwear is a relatively new revolutionary innovation that came at the right time! Menstrual underwear can be used by all ages and is an excellent menstrual protection for those who have just started their period. With menstrual underwear, you can feel more secure, for example at school, and you don’t have to worry about leaks.
At Glimja you will find menstrual underwear from the Swedish brand Imse. Imse's menstrual underwear has a fabric that absorbs menstrual flow and can be used alone or as extra security together with a pad, menstrual cup, or tampon. You can feel completely safe when using menstrual underwear, and it is easy to find one that suits your needs as the underwear comes with three different absorption levels: light, medium, and high.
- Organic Menstrual Underwear Hipster Light Flow, Black
The Light flow underwear is suitable for those who have a light flow or for those who have a heavy flow and want extra protection in addition to a tampon or menstrual cup. This underwear comes in four sizes and is best suited for daytime use. - Organic Menstrual Underwear Hipster Medium Flow, Black
The Medium flow underwear is suitable for those who have a medium flow or for those who have a very heavy flow and want extra protection in addition to a tampon or menstrual cup. This underwear comes in four sizes and is best suited for daytime use. - Organic Period Underwear High Waist Heavy Flow, Black
The Heavy Flow underwear is great for those with a heavy to very heavy flow. It works well during the day but also at night as the absorbent area extends from the front waistband to the back waistband. It’s perfect if you sleep on your back at night as it catches blood that might otherwise get on the bed. If you use a pad inside the underwear at night, it can be used for several nights in a row as extra protection against blood stains. This underwear comes in four sizes and is suitable for both day and night.
Period underwear is easy to care for and can be washed in the washing machine at 60 degrees. When you take off the period underwear, rinse it with cold water, wring it out, and then let it air dry until you can wash it in the machine. Or rinse it in cold water and wash it in the machine right away.
Choose organic
Remember to use organic and toxin-free menstrual products that are gentle on the sensitive intimate area.
Many conventional pads are made of plastic, and the plastic doesn’t let the intimate area breathe, which can lead to yeast infections and itching.
2. How to wash when you have your period?
Plain water is enough!
However, be careful not to flush water up into the vagina as it disrupts the sensitive bacterial flora and can cause imbalance in the intimate area.
If you want to wash with something more than water, we recommend a natural oil like the one from Lip Intimate care. Regular organic olive oil or coconut oil also works.
3. Things to consider at school
It can feel nervous and difficult to go to school while menstruating. What if it leaks? Will everyone see that I have my period? What do I do in gym/swimming? How often do I need to change my pad?
There are many questions, and it helps a lot to prepare your child properly before they go to school for the first time with their period.
Discuss different situations and what the child can do if the pad leaks and blood shows on the pants.
One trick can be to wear a hoodie that you can tie around your waist until you get to the bathroom. Also encourage the child to talk to their friends so they can support and help each other with different situations that may arise.
Pack in the school bag:
- Extra underwear
- Period underwear
- Extra pants
- Pads
- Panty liners
If it feels very difficult to go to school, you can turn to the teacher or school nurse who can provide support.
4. Natural relief for menstrual pain
Here are some quick tips for natural relief from menstrual pain.
- Try a wheat warmer. Heat a wheat warmer in the microwave and place it on the lower part of your stomach or lower back. Provides soothing relief.
- Run warm water over your stomach or take a warm bath.
- Take magnesium supplements. Magnesium can relieve and prevent muscle pain. Did you know the uterus is actually a muscle!?
- Take plenty of vegan omega-3 to reduce inflammation and restore any omega-3 deficiency.
- Stay active. It’s good to move moderately when you have your period.
- Feel free to eat these foods: Turmeric, Cinnamon, Ginger, Peppermint, Fennel.
5. Keep track of the menstrual cycle with a smart app
Help your child keep track of their period. It always feels reassuring to know roughly when the period will come. Then you can prepare and pack the school bag with what you need.
There are many different free apps, but please check the app before letting your child download it, as some period apps contain adult content that is not suitable for children.
Some apps with adult content focus heavily on weight/exercise as well as ovulation and sexual activity.
Download a free period app:
- Menskoll Lite – Free app that helps you keep track of your menstrual cycle. Also available as a paid version called Menskoll Deluxe.
- The best free app to keep track of your menstrual cycle! Easy to monitor your cycle, you get notifications when your period is expected, and you can turn off adult content like ovulation and pregnancy probability.
- Menskoll, Period app: My cycle – A period app that helps monitor your menstrual cycle. Contains some adult content that indicates the likelihood of becoming pregnant. Ovulation content can be turned off.
6. Before your child has gotten their first period
Prepare your child well in advance before they start menstruating. Buy a book about menstruation and read it with your child. Discuss expectations and how it will be.
Buy pads and show how they work. Let your child bring extra underwear, extra pants, and some panty liners and pads in their school bag even if they haven't started their period. That way, they are prepared if their first period comes during the school day.
Also remember to educate and talk with your children who will not menstruate. Teach them that menstruation is natural and a part of life!
