Period underwear and other questions

[aspentosh]

I may delete this for privacy, just as a heads up. 

DD (11.5) got her first period on Monday. I ran out to Target really quick to grab some Hanes period underwear and she's doing well with that. But is there a better or more absorbent option? She's changing them a few times a day, which is fine, but before I buy more I figured I'd ask. I know of Thinx (heard they can stink?) and Ruby Love but would love to hear firsthand knowledge of these or other brands.

Also, she's *only* doing the period underwear. Should she do a pad as well or is that not necessary? 

Lastly, and I know this is so kid-dependent, did your DD become regular immediately or did she have her first period and then go a few months? Trying to gauge if I should buy pseudo-bulk in her current size or wait and see.

[mrsGreeko]

IME period underwear are really meant as a backup for heavier days or a stand-alone for lighter days. She probably needs a pad also for heavier days. My teens liked the “teen” pads from Kotex because they were smaller. They didn’t really like period underwear though. Oldest had some, but really only wore them when she felt like she might start. Middle didn’t even want any.

Both of my girls became pretty regular right away, I don’t know how common that is though. They both moved to tampons fairly quickly. But, only the lite tampax ones, they both refused to entertain the idea of the “bigger” ones like regular. They were a little older though, oldest was almost 12 and middle was almost 13.

[waverly]

When I tried period underwear, I feel like they didn't wick away the fluid as much as a pad which by just general skin health meant that I needed to change them more often. I really didn't want to change my whole underwear a few times a day, so I prefer to wear them with a light pad and use them more as backup. I am really light at all times, so even using it as a stand alone for lighter days wasn't going as well as I thought it should hence the pad. Eventually I moved away from them completely.

[abs]

Period underwear is a great backup option but not on heavy flow days. DD didn’t really like it. She thought it was too bulky and weird feeling. Pads have been much better. She does like period swim bottoms though. Or at least finds them acceptable.

She started at 10 and her period has been regular since day 1.

[sahara78]

I bought the period Hanes at Target, too. Realized after that Hanes recommends them to be used under a pad. Bought the Knix teen super leakproof underwear, which can actually handle more flow. My DD is autistic and says using pads is too hard (removing the wrappers and lining them up correctly).

[aspentosh]

Sept 13, 2023 11:06:28 GMT -5 abs said:

Period underwear is a great backup option but not on heavy flow days. DD didn’t really like it. She thought it was too bulky and weird feeling. Pads have been much better. She does like period swim bottoms though. Or at least finds them acceptable.

She started at 10 and her period has been regular since day 1.

Do you have a specific brand? Never even heard of this!

[abs]

Sept 13, 2023 12:42:20 GMT -5 aspentosh said:

Sept 13, 2023 11:06:28 GMT -5 abs said:

Period underwear is a great backup option but not on heavy flow days. DD didn’t really like it. She thought it was too bulky and weird feeling. Pads have been much better. She does like period swim bottoms though. Or at least finds them acceptable.

She started at 10 and her period has been regular since day 1.

Do you have a specific brand? Never even heard of this!

I just bought a random pair on Amazon and they worked. Savvi Wear is the brand. DD wears women’s sizes so options were limited.

[keh2oblue]

My 14 has only ever worn period underwear. She changes in the morning and before bed. She uses a combo of Thinx and these from Amazon: www.amazon.com/Absorbent-Hipster-Panties-Protective-Underwear/dp/B08DJ4WBYJ/ref=asc_df_B08DJ4WBYJ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=519548261004&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15953804942525781395&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1025530&hvtargid=pla-1252217100168&psc=1

Don’t forget you can use FSA $ on period supplies and underwear.

[goldengirlz]

Sept 13, 2023 12:42:20 GMT -5 aspentosh said:

Sept 13, 2023 11:06:28 GMT -5 abs said:

Period underwear is a great backup option but not on heavy flow days. DD didn’t really like it. She thought it was too bulky and weird feeling. Pads have been much better. She does like period swim bottoms though. Or at least finds them acceptable.

She started at 10 and her period has been regular since day 1.

Do you have a specific brand? Never even heard of this!

DC wears the Knix period bathing suits and they work well.

I also want to recommend TomboyX for period underwear. I love the brand for all things underwear-related, but their period underwear in particular is awesome — less bulky (and way less stinky!) than Thinx and super soft. They feel just like regular underwear (DC and I both wear them.)

I agree they’re meant to be worn as backup or for lighter days.

[secretagent]

I think this will likely depend on how her flow is. I personally use Hanes and Target Thinx (something like that from Target) without a pad and it’s fine, but my flow is light. I change usually before work, after work, and before bed (sometimes I wear a tampon to bed depending on my laundry situation).

[jennistarr1]

So glad you posted this, I am curious for me. I have two days where it's so heavy and its like a river just runs right over pad and dumps out my pants. So I was wondering how these are worn and could not imagine them solo on those days

[wanderingback]

I don’t know you wear pads yourself but just an fyi I started wearing pads this year after giving birth. I wear organic cotton ones (not sure what brand) and they are so much more comfortable than I remember pads being than when I was young (started my period around age 10). So I don’t really see the benefit of period underwear that’s hard to change when pads are pretty good and comfortable if she’s not overflowing

[aspentosh]

Mini update: she has had some leaking with just the underwear so definitely going to need something for heavier days. Probably going to start with some pads for ease/quickness during this cycle but look into cotton ones going forward. Maybe have some swim bottoms for heavier days?

I use a cup with period underwear but I'm not sure she's ready for a tampon or cup even though I know they make smaller options.

[aspentosh]

Sept 13, 2023 22:09:54 GMT -5 jennistarr1 said:

So glad you posted this, I am curious for me. I have two days where it's so heavy and its like a river just runs right over pad and dumps out my pants. So I was wondering how these are worn and could not imagine them solo on those days

My 2nd and 3rd days are heavy so I definitely wouldn't do just underwear. A cup works well for me with period underwear as backup.

[redpenmama]

My daughter had her first period in July (she turned 12 in June). It was like a 10-day period but she hasn't had a second one yet. So, I have limited experience with this so far.

She used and liked the period underwear and hated pads. I had purchased several Thinx pairs during a sale so I had them ready to go. The only time it leaked was overnight on a heavier flow day. I think they're great alone on light/medium flow days but some days, you'd have to wear a pad as well.

[rootbeerfloat]

DD doesn't use period underwear, but likes the organic cotton pads.

Also, she started at 13 and her first few were pretty irregular (~60 days). It became regular around 6-8ish months.

[goldengirlz]

Sept 14, 2023 6:16:03 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

I don’t know you wear pads yourself but just an fyi I started wearing pads this year after giving birth. I wear organic cotton ones (not sure what brand) and they are so much more comfortable than I remember pads being than when I was young (started my period around age 10). So I don’t really see the benefit of period underwear that’s hard to change when pads are pretty good and comfortable if she’s not overflowing

I guess the benefit is that you don’t have to change them during the day. For a kid who’s self-conscious or doesn’t want to carry pads, it could be a good option. My DC doesn’t typically carry a purse/bag so if they’re out with their friends, it’s one less thing to worry about on lighter days.

[SusanBAnthony]

My DD will put on period undies with a pad in the am, and take the pads off mid day if she has heavy flow, using the period undies for the second half of the day. That way she doesn't have to carry a pad.

[lynn07]

I really love the Always Flex Foam pads. They really catch a lot and wick it away, and are smaller than a lot of other pads. I usually use those along with period underwear for back up on heavy days.

[aspentosh]

Sept 14, 2023 19:32:27 GMT -5 goldengirlz said:

Sept 14, 2023 6:16:03 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

I don’t know you wear pads yourself but just an fyi I started wearing pads this year after giving birth. I wear organic cotton ones (not sure what brand) and they are so much more comfortable than I remember pads being than when I was young (started my period around age 10). So I don’t really see the benefit of period underwear that’s hard to change when pads are pretty good and comfortable if she’s not overflowing

I guess the benefit is that you don’t have to change them during the day. For a kid who’s self-conscious or doesn’t want to carry pads, it could be a good option. My DC doesn’t typically carry a purse/bag so if they’re out with their friends, it’s one less thing to worry about on lighter days.

This is also true. DD can't carry a backpack in middle school and time between switching classes isn't always long enough to grab things from her locker, go to the bathroom, and get to her class on time. 

Considering she started MS less than a month ago and is dealing with her first period, I am shocked at how well she's taken this all in stride. 

SusanBAnthony, that's actually a really great plan! 

[hermione]

Sept 14, 2023 21:20:31 GMT -5 SusanBAnthony said:

My DD will put on period undies with a pad in the am, and take the pads off mid day if she has heavy flow, using the period undies for the second half of the day. That way she doesn't have to carry a pad.

This is so smart.

[fn2187]

Sept 14, 2023 21:36:45 GMT -5 lynn07 said:

I really love the Always Flex Foam pads. They really catch a lot and wick it away, and are smaller than a lot of other pads. I usually use those along with period underwear for back up on heavy days.

This exactly is what DD prefers.

She is on year 2 (almost 3) and is still not regular at all. She’s had 3 periods in the last year. Every period has been very light.