Help with daughter's first period during our vacation

[ShellyLynn3630]

Ok, so my daughter has gotten her first period this week, was really hoping she would'nt get it until after our September trip, but oh well I knew it could be any day. I am betting now that she will also have it during our trip which is the last week in September. What I usually do for myself is to get a pack of birth control to offset it during our vacations and it works out pretty good. But what about her? I guess I can just ask my OBGYN. Anyone else have this same thing happen to their daughters. She has just turnded 12 in May. Thanks!

 

[kinntj]

Consider yourself lucky that it started before your vacation at least.

My mom almost died when I started smack dab in the middle of our vacation out west. Nightmare City.

Good luck! Have a great trip!

 

[Schmeck]

People have their periods at WDW all the time - I just went with 86 middle school students, and 4 of us in our group of 15 females had our periods while we were there. OB tampons are small enough for 12 year olds to use, she can just use them when she wants to go swimming. If her period is anything like my girls' early ones, it last 5 days at the most, with one medium day, and the rest barely spotting. Also, it might not even be on a regular monthly schedule, she could even miss a month if she just started it.

 

[princessmom29]

It will be ok!!!!!! What happens happens. Get her some junior tampons and teach her to use them. Tampax lites are good for younger girls. I CERTIANLY would not try to use b/c to offset it at this early an age and with her just getting it. I don't know if that is what you are asking, but I wouldn't try it. Her hormones are not regulated enough.

 

[KEMdisney]

It seems like everytime I go to Disney I have my period! Its just a girl thing, and she will be fine. Just make sure you take the time to hit the bathroom more than usual. You don't want any accidents to occur. That could really be embarrassing, especially for a 12 year old! If you are not comfortable with her using tampons, make sure you get her pads that are thin, with wings, and are ultra absorbant. When I first got my period, my mom bought me these awful pads. The were huge and bulky, i would leak almost everytime. I was mortified! It wasn't until I tried out a friends pad and learned that there are different types and it doesn't HAVE to be the worst week of the month! Leave it to MY mom to purchase the CLEARANCE pack of of pads!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I don't know what other women's experiences were with their first periods, but mine was very irregular for probably the first year. I started at 10 years old so maybe that had something to do with it. I had one, then skipped two or three months before having my next one. As PP mentioned, they were also very light.

Just pack some tampons, pads, and Advil and hope for the best. I'd say there's a good chance that she won't have it on vacation.

 

[AlisonR80]

It will be ok!!!!!! What happens happens. Get her some junior tampons and teach her to use them. Tampax lites are good for younger girls. I CERTIANLY would not try to use b/c to offset it at this early an age and with her just getting it. I don't know if that is what you are asking, but I wouldn't try it. Her hormones are not regulated enough.

I agree with this, it will be fine

 

[bumbershoot]

I had something like 6 months between my first and next periods. It's not at all for sure that she'll start off incredibly regular. And I've never found it to be any big deal to have one on vacation, so I guess I'm not much help, since I doubt it will happen and wouldn't make a big deal out of it if it did!

 

[Tribe0701]

If you make a big deal out of it, she will think it is a big deal. Just pack item she may need, and pack her some extra underwear incase there are any leaks. Having your period on vaction is going to happen, she might as well get used to it. I don't think putting her on birth control is a good idea unless you plan on keeping her on birth control. I don't think any OBGYN is going to hand out birth control to a 12 year old without doing a full exam and having a reason for the birth control (sexually active, heaving perios etc.). It will be fine! Stop stressing about the possibility of what might happen.

 

[minkydog]

My DD15 started her period at age 10, in the middle of summer. I gave her the choice of trying tampons or using pads--she's a water baby. From the very first period she has used tampons.

I agree with previous posters, your DD will be fine. Give her a travel container of Advil and a cute little bag to keep a few supplies in her purse or backpack. If you treat it as just another week of your life, she will too.

 

[Malela9]

My oldest dd who is 13, still is not having regular periods-she started on a trip to Vegas at age 11. I agree with all the other posters that you will probably not have anything to worry about for quite a while. But if you are concerned, take something with you so you don't have to run out and buy it.
Congratulations, let the crazy hormone induced teen years begin!

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

It seems like everytime I go to Disney I have my period! Its just a girl thing, and she will be fine. Just make sure you take the time to hit the bathroom more than usual. You don't want any accidents to occur. That could really be embarrassing, especially for a 12 year old! If you are not comfortable with her using tampons, make sure you get her pads that are thin, with wings, and are ultra absorbant. When I first got my period, my mom bought me these awful pads. The were huge and bulky, i would leak almost everytime. I was mortified! It wasn't until I tried out a friends pad and learned that there are different types and it doesn't HAVE to be the worst week of the month! Leave it to MY mom to purchase the CLEARANCE pack of of pads!

I think our mother's shopped together . The pads she got me were so big I felt like I was walking with an entire roll of paper towels between my legs

 

[swald91]

Me too. At least the past 2 times-yuck! I am always worried now too my daughter is 11 & I wonder when it will start for her. I just hope now it will be after our trip.

 

[daisyduck123]

I know some people are suggesting to try tampons, but I just wanted to let you know to be prepared that if your DD does try them, it may not work out.

My DD13 got her period at 10yo & it came every month following that first time. Well last summer (she was 12yo) she got it on our first full day at WDW. She always gets it for 8 days & we were on a 9 day trip at BCV!! Tampons were out of the question & every afternoon while we swam in SAB, she spent in the room...thank goodness she'd brought her laptop!!

We ended up extending our trip by an extra day just so she could have another day in SAB.

We check-in to BCV for a 10 day trip this Monday...thank goodness she got her period 4 days ago!!

Here's a little in hopes that your DD won't have it during your trip.

 

[disneybridetobe]

Ahhh yes... the Disney period magic. I got it unexpectedly got it on my Disneymoon the day after my wedding!

I think you got some great advice, but I didn't think a little period-free couldn't hurt!

 

[Syrreal]

I was 100% regular from my very 1st period, so you may have that too.
I also suggest tampons if your DD is comfortable with them...maybe just for swimming. The Playtex Slimfits or the Tampax lights are small (OB can be a little unnerving)

I agree with slim pads. Stayfree make great long ones with wings that are super thin (might be called overnights).

 

[hoosiergirl7]

Granted I don't have a daughter yet but I'm shocked at how young periods are starting now a days. When I started mine the average age was 13 & 14. I was 14 and getting ready to start high school.

Mine were pretty irregular for the 1st year. It's not uncommon. Plus I wouldn't worry about her having her period over vacation. Women go on vacation all the time during periods. I've even gone camping while I'm on my period. Not always fun but wouldn't change my vacation plans because of it.

It'll be fine.

 

[Belle4mygrl]

My daughter is still irregular after 3 years.

Hopefully, she won't have her period during vacation but if she does I would like to recommend Always Thin with wings overnight pads. My dd loves them because she feels they provide enough protection and long but not bulky.

 

[vellamint]

In 2006 both my girls started having their "friends"....they were 11. I was SO sure that we would have one more "period-free" vacation......I couldnt believe BOTH of them. (okay they are twins but fraternal)

Although it wasnt either of their "first" periods - one of them got it the first day and when she was finished the other one got it. Try explaining to their brothers why the itinerary (water parks ahem) kept changing....it really, really stunk!!!! I felt sooooo bad for the one that couldnt swim. They seemed like such little girls to have to deal with it.

This trip if it happens .... at least one of them know how and will use a tampon.

To those of you that say to give her tampons to use.....its not so easy to do. Trust me from one who tried......I hope she isn't traumatized for life by her attempt to use them that summer........not every girl is ready for tampons at such a young age.

 

[cinderella73]

She is young and most likely wont want to use tampons. If she gets a heavy flow and is worried buy her Poise pads. They are meant for bladder control AND heavy periods but fit and look like a regular maxi pad. She wont know if you dont tell her about the bladder thing. My dd had thyroid problems and swears by these. They are sold right by maxi pads and come in mini wrappers just like them. No one will know and she wont have any worry about leaks. They are not any thicker than regular pads either. Thank the Lord I had a hysterectomy! I dont miss those days!