Every mother knows that the day will come when she needs to sit down and talk to her daughter about what to expect during her first period. Check out these Tips for Preparing a Girl for Her First Period and make life a little easier for you all!
However, for many parents, the first period talk can be as uncomfortable and awkward as having the sex talk with their kids. If you’re one of the mothers that feel uncomfortable about it, remember that your mother probably had the same talk with you.
Your daughter needs to know things, such as how to take care of her skin during that time of the month and what medications are okay to take for cramps. The tips below will help guide you through this critical part of your and your daughter’s life.
Tips for Preparing a Girl for Her First Period
Teach Her All the Essentials
Girls aren’t born knowing how to use pads and tampons. Make sure you give your daughter the pros and cons of each, then let her decide which she is most comfortable with. Also, they might not have had period underwear or menstrual cups in the past, so do your research and explain what menstrual cups and a teen period kit are so your daughter can make an informed decision on which is best for her period needs.
Answer All Her Period Questions
As a mother, you’ve had quite a few periods in your time, so you have most of the answers your daughter needs. While it might not seem like it now, it was probably a confusing time for you when your period first began. Your daughter will have many questions about puberty and her period.
It’s better for her to get the answers to these questions from her mother than from her friends. Even if this is an uncomfortable situation for you, your daughter should be forewarned and educated.
Explain PMS Symptoms
There are quite a few signs that your daughter is about to have her first period, and PMS is one of those signs. You must explain PMS (premenstrual syndrome) to your daughter, as this can be overwhelming for her.
PMS affects 75% of women and comes with a variety of symptoms. These include bloating, headaches, problems sleeping, cramps, mood swings, tender breasts, fatigue, and pimples. If your child doesn’t know what to expect, it can be scary when these symptoms begin. Explaining the symptoms, what she can expect, and how to deal with them will help a lot.
Share Tips for Coping
You probably have your own way of coping with your period and PMS, so make sure to share those tips and methods with your daughter. Some of the best tips are as follows. Make sure to always have a heating pad available to help with cramps and back pain, and carry spare pads or tampons when she leaves the house, just in case she leaks through.
Inform her that certain foods containing omega-fatty acids can help with severe cramps. She should avoid greasy, fatty, sugar-filled foods in favor of plenty of veggies, fruits, and nutritious foods, as these other foods can worsen her cramps. Of course, every girl wants chocolate during that time of the month, so it’s best to keep some around.
Hopefully, these tips will help you and your daughter cope with her first period and the periods that will come after. Make sure that she knows getting her period is nothing to be ashamed of and that if she handles it the right way, it probably won’t inconvenience her much at all.
Even though starting your period for the first time is natural, if your daughter has no idea what’s going on or how to handle it, it can be stressful and overwhelming. Sit down and talk honestly about this time in your daughter’s life for the best results.
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