Tampons---- At what age do you let you child use them?

Veronique - posted on 04/21/2011

It's perfectly safe for a 13 year old to wear a tampon if she knows how to put it in properly and that she knows that she must change it every 3-4 hours and to use the lowest tampon for her cycle. Personally i did not start wearing tampons till about a year ago. I would where pads instead but after having my kids i founs that running around after them tampons where so much more comfy and already had kids that region was a little stretch there for more comfy. It's a personal choice really.

Mary1959 - posted on 04/21/2011

my daughter is 9 has her periods. she not using the reg. But i let her practice putting them in. so when she does start using them . it will not be problem for her

Melissa - posted on 10/09/2009

Quoting Tammy:

Tampons---- At what age do you let you child use them?

My daughter will be 13 saturday and she wants to start using tampons. And I will be doing this another 4 yrs. I have another girl that will be 9 in Nov. thank good I have 2 boys that are younger. When I was growing up I couldnt use them till I was 16. But I dont want to do that to her. She Is my first Pre-teen and I don't know really how to handle his ordeal. She has tried one before and said it was very unconfortable. Which I think she did it all wrong. So I need help on the matter. Any Ideas from you moms out there?

Well, I have a 12 year old daughter that hasn't started yet. I have been thinking about this for the near future.  I think that if you do decide to, you should start with a slender plastic applicator ( they make Jr sport) &  you be there to direct her the first time to make sure she inserts it correctly. I am not looking forward to this at all. Like you my mom made me wait. I don't want to do that to my daughter either. Good luck

Jodi - posted on 10/09/2009

My step-daughter got her period just before she was 13. She started using tampons almost straight away. I was actually quite surprised, because I didn't think she was really responsible enough to use them, but it was her mother's decision, so what do I know, LOL :) To me, I would only have let her use them if she needed to go swimming, or while playing certain sports :)



Anyway, it really does depend on your daughter. You need to be able to talk to her about TSS, and the dangers of tampons, and ensure she is mature enough to take care of herself. Each girl is different in their maturity levels at that age, so you are the best person to judge.



I can't relate my own experience - I didn't get my period until I was 15, so it was a bit of a non-issue.

Krista - posted on 10/09/2009

I dont let my girls use tampons until they are in high school. With my oldest, I was a little freaked out about her EVER using them! LOL! But, I did finally let her and I have let the other ones too.



I think she needs a little more time to get used to her body and what it's doing now. She needs time to be a pro at handling her period with pads before moving to tampons.( you know, learn the details of her blood flow, etc...) Plus, get another year or two of responsibility growth.



When you do let her, you will have to talk to her in detail about how to use them, explain what could make it hurt, explain toxic shock syndrome, etc.. And the less embarrassed you act about discussing all the "girl" issues and teenage issues the less embarrassed she will be talking to you about everything. Make a few jokes, tell some of your "stories", it helps them feel more comfortable. I have 5 girls, Good luck!! haha

Sharon - posted on 10/09/2009

Using tampons increases the risk of TSS - Toxic Shock Syndrom



There is a kind of restriction on that because girls have to be responsible enough to remember to change them regularly and to not forget about them just because they don't see any blood or insert a second one forgetting there is one already there.



Girls need to be more familiar with their bodies so they recognise when something is wrong (i.e. pain when inserting a tampon). This is why she isn't putting them in properly. She doesn't know how far up its supposed to be and I've even heard stories about girls getting them in a bit sideways. (dear god thats got to be uncomfortable).



I doubt I'll let my 13 yr old (she's 7 now) use tampons, 16 - 17 is a better age.

Jenn - posted on 10/09/2009

I'm not sure why there would be a restriction? If she is able to use them - let her. I know myself I had a hard time getting them in right when i was younger but eventually got it.