Teaching young teens period hygiene

amother

OP ↓

Tue, Dec 31 2024, 1:39 pm

Who cleans up all the bloody messes?

If they use period underwear, do you make them in charge of soaking and washing their own?

Do you treat blood stains on regular underwear or just toss?

How in the world do you teach them not to leak all over the place?? Especially at night.

amother

Bellflower

Tue, Dec 31 2024, 1:41 pm

amother OP wrote:

They do all their own laundry anyhow, so non-issue. I've always had my kids doing their own laundry as soon as they're old enough to use a washing machine.

amother

Grape

Tue, Dec 31 2024, 2:18 pm

amother OP wrote:

My daughter will bring me anything that she leaked onto, sheets, shorts etc and I soak it and pretreat.

Elfrida

Tue, Dec 31 2024, 2:21 pm

amother OP wrote:

How in the world do you teach them not to leak all over the place?? Especially at night.

They're not leaking g on purpose!

Buy them heavier pads for at night, or offer them some period underwear that claims 360° protection.

Even so, it sometimes can't be avoided.

amother

DarkOrange

Tue, Dec 31 2024, 2:36 pm

My sister says to wear 2 panties at night. That way the pads are tighter around the body.
Longer pad, with wings always, for overnight.
They should spray/pretreat their own underwear and pjs if needed and throw into the hamper.
Wear dark colors those days.
Rubbing alcohol works great on blood stains.

amother

Dill

Tue, Dec 31 2024, 2:40 pm

amother OP wrote:

When I got my first period, my mother gave me the eitzah to try to sleep on my side (to the extent one is aware of how one is sleeping) to minimizing leaking in bed. Not to make oneself crazy but if it doesn’t really make a difference, to try to sleep on the side vs on back or tummy.

amother

IndianRed

Tue, Dec 31 2024, 2:42 pm

Got my daughter black underwear with a thick lining, (period underwear), which she uses with pads. It has eliminated a lot of staining, and the stains don't really show on the black. Very very occasionally it leaks on her sheet or blanket.

amother

Mintgreen

Tue, Dec 31 2024, 2:52 pm

amother OP wrote:

Do you think they are leaking on purpose? I got extremely heavy periods, from the beginning. And there were times when I leaked even if I wore more than one pad or shorts so things wouldnt get all over an during the day.
Its not something that everyone can help. Please dont get angry at them. Its part of periods for some.
We did our own laundry from when we were able to reach the machine but even if I would not have, my parents would have just done the laundry for us, no questions asked.

And I hate to tell you but adult women also leak. Its nothing to do with teenagers.
I leaked until I had to have a hysterectomy.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Tue, Dec 31 2024, 3:02 pm

mathbrain wrote:

Extra long pads with wings for heavy flow.
Cover the entire back of underwear after the pad with panty liners (2-3 pads in the width), so that all leaks are picked up by the Pantyliner.

Always worked for me.

This is a great idea. Thank you.

I'm not upset and of course she's not doing it on purpose. I just really have no idea what kind of pointers or ideas to give her.

amother

Currant

Tue, Dec 31 2024, 3:05 pm

In my teens, I started putting down a dark towel on my bed (sx towel anyone? lol) for the heavier nights.

Hand her a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. You (or she) can also soak underwear in a mixture of hp and laundry detergent. Important to do it as soon as possible.

amother

↑ OP

Tue, Dec 31 2024, 3:10 pm

amother Currant wrote:

The towel is also a great idea. Thank you

amother

Sapphire

Tue, Dec 31 2024, 3:16 pm

amother Steel wrote:

Btw, windex works even better!!

It’s magic. You spray it on anything no matter how much blood and it gets rid of it all. I hope
So many people save linen and clothing with it. I told my girls take the bottle of windex and sorry it right away. I also said change frequently and change right before bed.

amother

Babypink

Thu, Jan 02 2025, 6:48 am

always had heavy flow and recently got a SUPER HEAVY period! it was agony but that's besides the point.

so: step 1 is preparation - buy pads before you'll need it. make sure to always have a few day's worth of pads in stock. I buy pads as soon as I open my last package. every time I go away for shabbos I bring pads with. every time I fly anywhere, I stick a few pads in my hand luggage.
there are two kinds of pads: the regular kind and the super absorbent for overnight and heavy bleeding. I found an overnight pad (U by kotex) that is not just long and absorbent, it's also extra wide, big wings and it has a charcoal (?) thing to absorb smells. it is super absorbent. buy more than you think you'll need for one cycle. if it's a super heavy flow, you'll need to change every couple hours.

step 2 is managing in the moment. human bodies are not perfect and sometimes a period can come early or late for no apparent reason. sometimes a person can wear a giant overnight pad, liners in the back, two pairs of undies and still leak. cest la vie. key is to deal with it in the moment. see a spot? ok, let's handle it. as long as it's fresh blood you can just run some water over it and wash it a while later. the windex trick sounds cool too!
if it is a heavy flow, I found a towel helps. I put it under my sheet so it stayed put and wasn't uncomfortable. this protects the mattress.

amother

Cappuccino

Thu, Jan 02 2025, 8:03 am

they prepare everything for the wash. So rinse it, take off linen, or whatever.
Also, they have the option to do their own laundry if they want, even if they usually don't. as in, know how to use the machine and when it's available

amother

Strawberry

Thu, Jan 02 2025, 10:46 am

I just ask that my girls bring me anything that leaks so that I can treat it right away. I told them about the cold water right away, but they prefer for me to do it. They are still very young but I can see that in a few years they will be dealing with it themselves.