? for mothers with pre-teens

[wtpfan]

subscribingmy DD turned 12 in Apr and so far nothing..but she is very thin and I didn't get mine until I was 15! Thans for all the helpful tips!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

My kids use pudding for swallowing pills.

I always push drinking water because she will get cramps if she's dehydrated. I really wish I had known that as a teen, I had curl-up-in-fetal-position-and-cry cramps, but once I learned that they were very mild, sometimes even non-existent. Exercise, even just going for a walk, will help, too.

My DD prefers the heavier overnight pads. They seem really bulky to me, but I think she feels better protected. I did what alot of posters are saying and ordered free samples of different ones and also bought a couple different kinds with coupons until she found what she liked. We kept the ones she didn't to use in a pinch if we run out.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Sounds like maybe they're using one that has too heavy of a flow, thus it's coming out not "soaked" per se. Try going down a flow size, if that makes sense...

I agree with this. Basically---if the cotton is dry, it is not fun to remove.

But that is unfortunately a learning curve. If the tampon is not the right size...you will leak.

Best to practice at home and once comfortable with using them, then go to full time use.

My least favorite part is the string hunt. Mom didn't warn me about that. It is very unlikely though that the string will come off. It just feels like it might. But it shouldn't.

Dd has also read the American Girl book. As she gets closer, I plan on making her a kit. But for now---nio signs of immediate concern. But we discuss things when she wants to.


I don't want her to have a "My Girl" moment. Lol! (anyone remember that scene...)

 

[hambirg]

Just to add my experience so that parents don't start freaking out about tampons: I always used tampons, never had cramps, and had no problems conceiving.

I wasn't trying to scare anybody. . just give my honest opinion and the OP something to think about, as I'm not the only one who shares that opinion.

My dear neighbor died last month at 97 (bless his soul.) He was a smoker. That doesn't mean smoking is a good choice for everyone.

Like I said, people should make their own choices. I don't wish female problems on anyone. . .so I'm glad you haven't experienced any. I've seen some of my closest friends really suffer, and honestly, I think it makes me feel a little guilty.

To the PP that said her daughter liked the overnight pads but finds them a lil bulky. . .try the Always Ultra Thins. . .love them. I will even buy the Walgreens brand of the same type and have found them to be comparable. HTH

ETA-I second the bread pill swallowing thing. My mom has a terrible time swallowing pills. . .and has to take quite a few. She uses that method and works like a charm.

 

[abmitch01]

thanks for all the pointers in this thread, we haven't crossed this bridge yet but this thread will help


I did get DD a tiny VB bag when it was on clearance for $10, something she loves. We filled it with the things she would need and it gave us a chance to talk about the topic again while at the same time she was excited about the bag. So hopefully she felt more positive about her body changing. (I realize this totally sounds like a bribe!)

 

[mhsjax]

ok, I had to into my DD bathroom to see what kind her dad, yes her dad bought her. She just started last month and I sent him to the store, he got her always ultra thin.

Also I am anxiously awaiting the time when she can use tampons. She tired but she is still young, 11.5.

I gave her liquid motrin, she has a hard time with pills and I happened to have it because I still have a little guy at home.

As far as using tampons, I think there have always been people that try to scare people away from using them. Toxic shock, people saying you lose your virginity when you use them, infertility problems, all sorts of things. I used them from the time I was 13 years old up until 45 when I have my hysterectomy. Never had a problem in the world , like the PP poster had unprotected sex 3 times and I have 3 kids. Same with everyone in my family, we all used them and none of us had problems. DD wants to sue them really bad, she had to give up several days of swimming with her friends because of this, and says the pad feels like a diaper. Then again, my mom told me that she never could wear them because they hurt her.

 

[mhsjax]

I'm not flaming you, but I don't think there is ANY scientific evidence that this is in any way true, and I don't even know what you mean by "backflow." As many of us have learned the hard way, there's no such thing as a tampon that can cause anything to "back up."

I have an a good number of underwear to prove that theory. I even told my DD to keep some older not so mice panties to use as "period panties" you know the ones that seemed to get stained and you wear those so you don't mess up your nice ones.

 

[poohbear luvs grumpy]

Just adding another option Raspberry tea is supposed to help with cramping. I drink tons of it while pregnant and made sure I packed some for the hospital. Worked pretty well. There are also exercises that can be done to alleviate the pain but really who wants to exercise during that? I am waiting for my oldest to start. She has shown all the signs for at least six months. My plan is to take her out on a mom and daughter dinner. Celebrate becoming a young women and talk about anything that she wants. It is a hard time to go through. I want her to have something to look back on that makes it worth while.

 

[Terry36]

DD (10.5) started in June!!! We were both shocked that it came so soon but I knew something was up with her. The week before it started she was SUPER hormonal. And her face broke out like a schmorgusboard (sp)! I think I was in denial more than anything. I was hoping it would wait a few more years. She's tall and slender and very athletic (gymnast) so I was hoping that would prolong it. NOT!

She takes Tylenol Jr. chewables for her back pain. I too am having a hard time teaching her how to take pills. I will use some of the suggestions listed on this thread.

She has settled on Always Ultra thin with flexi wings (green bag but the individual packets are in individually wrapped in a pink cover.) She's been handling it like a pro these past 2 months. I had been speaking to her about it for a while; I had purchased the AG Book about 2 years ago as well as she and her 2 BFF's took a puberty class at the local Children's hospital. That class was awesome. I highly recommend it. It was for moms and daughters.

Her biggest concern was how is she going to take her supplies to the restroom at school? Especially since she does not carry a purse? they have lockers so she doesn't carry her backpack around all day either. So I suggested she place a few of them in a small bag and keep them in the inside pocket of the jacket she always wears. What have your girls done?

 

[Leshaface]

I've ALWAYS used tampons and have never had any issues..

If you don't push up the tampon far enough, it will cause a little discomfort. But other than that, I don't feel anything! Sometimes I forget that I have one up there!

And I've never had a problem with a string detaching from the tampon itself. Even if the string did somehow come apart from the tampon, it wouldn't be too hard to reach up there and grab it...

The thermacare heating pads worked really well me! And they're completely hidden under your clothes. I would wear them to school all the time in high school and never had any issues!

 

[Princess Nancy]

I agree about the Always Infinity. My DD 14 uses them and I do too. I cannot believe how much better they are than any other Pad we have tried!!

My DD also will not swallow a pill. We buy the Jr Chewables. I also buy Thermacare when they are on sale and she LOVES those for cramps.

Good Luck!!!

 

[dreamin_disney]

I'm in my late 30's and I'm learning so much-lol!

I'll have to look into the AG book.

A few days dd started twice she snapped and at and if looks could kill i'd be dead. I totaly got on her backside about it but now i realize why she did that.

I bought her a lil purse 3-4 months ago for her pads and mini deoderant. I have no idea what the best way for her to carry her pad to the bathroom. I told to put one in her pocket in the morning. When she changes class she can go to the bathroom and use one from back pack. the one in the pocket is good for emergency or when she's in class and has to go to the bathroom. I told her she can chnage her pad between classes, lunch, P.E. Class. I'm praying she doesnt have heavy periods.

I took it harder then dd about her period. I feel shes to younger and wish she didnt have to deal with this



We are going to wal-mart so i will get the aleve or chewable tylonal.

as far as tampons i'm afrad of the toxic shock and i think i would be to sensitive. I have pcos and infertile so not for me but i might try if dd wants them in the future.

tampons if someday dd wants to wear these do they leak? should she wear a pantyliner?


Thank for the info

 

[badblackpug]

Well. . .like I said. . you be your own judge, but I'm not the only one that feels this way:

http://infertility.suite101.com/article.cfm/tampons_and_endometriosis

http://www.aphroditewomenshealth.com/news/20020630204433_health_news.shtml

http://forums.obgyn.net/endo/ENDO.9808/0508.html

http://www.the-hangs.com/2010/01/tampons-endometriosis-and-infertility.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11390166

And smoking was promoted as healthy in the 1950's. There are many people that believe that immunizations are the root of autism. I just know that from my personal experience that I have never had any female problems and that my friends that were the heaviest tampon users have had the worst problems. You be your own judge. I was just throwing that out there. I was a chemistry major in college and Dioxin is no joke. I know people that will only buy organic milk and have the whole family on gluten free diets but still use regular tampons. Yeah. . .it's your body . . .do what you want. . .but P&G and the like is a HUGE lobby. . .just like the tobacco industry was. Make your own decisions.

ETA-It's call menstrual retrograde btw. . .do me a favor. . take a 2 liter bottle. . .stuff cotton in the neck and cut the bottom off. Now turn it over and pour liquid through the cut off bottom. Does the liquid spill over the top or does it leak through the plugged up cotton first? Yeah. . .

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/27320.php

Research has demonstrated that the retention of menstrual discharge promotes the backflow of endometrial cells from the uterus into the pelvic cavity, which is believed to increase the risk of endometriosis in some women.

I'm sorry, but none of this is medically sound information. As a matter of fact, the only article that is written by a medical professional is the 5th link down, and it states that a link between tampon use and endometriosis does not exist. Most of these articles are not scholarly studies.

I respect your choice, but scaring people with questionable theories isn't fair.

People who have trouble with tampons are sometimes have better luck with OB (or something without an applicator) because it is easier to judge how far up it is. Really, the key to comfort is getting it as far up as possible.

No. The string won't break. No. It can't get "lost" in you. No matter how far in it is you can reach it.

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

I agree with a PP, the thermacare heat pads are the bomb! I don't use them so much in the summer because it's already 100° and I don't want more heat, but they really do help. I also use Aleve, which is smaller and lasts longer. And last, have you seen the new You by Kotex? Pads & tampons in really bright colors - if you have to use them they may as well be pretty! I think they should include chocolates in the box or jokes on the wrapper too.

ETA: The pads & tampons themselves are regular white (the tampon strings are a very light pink), it's the wrapping and applicators that are bright.

I will say that in my experience Playtex tampons always hurt coming out, I guess it's the way they "bloom". I normally use Kotex tampons and tried the You tampons and they are definitely smaller, IMHO. My guess is they are going to be marketed to tweens & teens.

 

[hambirg]

I'm sorry, but none of this is medically sound information. As a matter of fact, the only article that is written by a medical professional is the 5th link down, and it states that a link between tampon use and endometriosis does not exist. Most of these articles are not scholarly studies.

I respect your choice, but scaring people with questionable theories isn't fair.

People who have trouble with tampons are sometimes have better luck with OB (or something without an applicator) because it is easier to judge how far up it is. Really, the key to comfort is getting it as far up as possible.

No. The string won't break. No. It can't get "lost" in you. No matter how far in it is you can reach it.

And just how do you think University studies are funded? There hasn't been much of any research on the long term use of mass produced and marketed tampons.

Like I said. . .I'm not trying to scare ANYBODY. . .but I do think people should make there own INFORMED decisions.

For anybody who's interested this is a good article to start. . .she writes of what she has discovered in her own snooping around. . .you can do your own research based on that.

http://cookiepuss.tripod.com/tampons.htm


Google Dr. Philip Tierno. . .he agrees with me.

Dr. Philip M. Tierno, Jr. is a well-known microbiologist with more than 35 years of experience in the field of Clinical and Medical Microbiology. He is the Director of Clinical Microbiology and Diagnostic Immunology at Tisch Hospital, New York University Medical Center, and is a part time Associate Professor, Departments of Microbiology and Pathology at the New York University School of Medicine. . .http://www.ciriscience.org/viewbio.php?id=355


This is interesting as well. . .and yes it's scholarly. . .about the legal and political side of all of this.

http://leda.law.harvard.edu/leda/data/359/Kohen.html

 

[extremesoccermom]

They make motrin in liquid which I myself use. It may be all in my head but I think it works faster for my headache.
DD15 uses the Kotex super thin maxi. The wings are a pain and never stay put.
One other option to help which my daughter uses is the Seasonique pill. She will only have periods once every 3 months. As a mother of a mentally disabled child it has been wonderful not to deal with periods every month. Less cramping and lighter flow is one of the side effects.

 

[ilovejack02]

My DDs started their period over a year ago and are starting to want to use tampons. They didn't have a hard time inserting it, but when they took it out they said it was extremely painful and refuses to try again. Any ideas why it wasn't painful inserting or inside but painful taking it out?

When I remove it before it "needs" to be removed, say I leave in an hour and for some reason I take it out it will hurt. Also If I use a tampon for heavier flow at the end of period when things are light it will hurt to remove.

 

[penn19]

Just to add my experience so that parents don't start freaking out about tampons: I always used tampons, never had cramps, and had no problems conceiving.

Same here. 4 kids, and my husband just had to look at me and I was pregnant. No problems (to my knowledge) from using tampons. Probably not good to leave them in longer than necessary of course.