How To Support Your Daughter’s First Period: In an interview to broadcast channel News18, Bollywood actor Ananya Panday opened up about her first period experience. Ananya spoke about how confused she was when she first got her period.
“When I got my first period, I remember being in school and I didn’t understand what had happened to me because no one had spoken to me about it,” revealed Ananya Panday highlighting a need for menstrual conversation supporting your daughter’s first period.
Menstruation has somehow still managed to be a taboo in Indian societies. Menstrual health is one of the least discussed topics in Indian households. More than half of the girls are unaware about periods until they get their first period.
According to a study conducted in the United States in 2018, 55 per cent women were unprepared when they first started menstruating while the other half felt confused and embarrassed like Ananya Pandey and your author as well.
I was so embarrassed that I wouldn’t even tell my best friend that I had gotten my first period. My stomach was hurting so bad but I kept on convincing her that it’s just a stomach cramp.
Do not let that happen to your girls by educating them about menstruation. Scroll down to learn how to support your daughter’s first period.
Your Daughter’s First Period Guide
Help your daughter navigate through her first period confusion. Here are some tips for parents on menstrual education for kids.
1. Periods Conversation
“I’m the older child and I got my periods before my younger sibling and at that time, there wasn’t much of a conversation about it at home. A few girls in my class had already gotten their periods before I did but it was kept very hush-hush,” recalled Ananya Panday.
It is very crucial to let your daughters know what period is even before they have their first period cycle. Sit with your child and talk to them in a very calm and friendly way. Educate daughters about periods to normalize their first menstrual cycle.
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2. Periods Gift Hamper
Give them gift hampers containing chocolates, nuts and other healthy snacks, sanitary pads, wipes and greeting cards to welcome them into puberty. “My mum and my daadi gave me gifts and they told me that this is a moment to celebrate. I think everyone should deal with it in this way and take the shame away from it,” said Ananya.
3. Teach Her About Menstruation
You should also educate your daughter on the common symptoms and problems girls have to go through during periods. Tell them about menstrual cramps, discomfort and other health issues like bloating. However, let her know that unbearable pain during periods is not common and if she suffers heavy cramps she should tell you.
4. Talk To School Teachers
Your daughter’s first period shouldn’t make her feelislated. If your daughter’s school lacks menstrual education in classes, you should talk to the school authorities and try to convince them to educate kids about periods. It’s important that kids get support from friends and peer.
5. Teach Her The Basics
Teach your daughter periods basics like how to put on a sanitary pad. Tell her how long she is supposed to keep on the pad and when to throw it away. It is also important to teach girls how to dispose of sanitary pads. Teach her menstrual hygiene.
Period Care For Young Girls
Take proper care of your daughters during her first and all period cycles. Here are some menstrual health tips for parents.
- Tell her that it is totally normal to get periods. Every woman experiences this.
- Teach her menstrual hygiene
- Teach her about different kinds of pads with different sizes
- Get her sanitary pads
- Get her fresh and clean panties
- Help her get dressed if she experiences cramps
- Feed her comfy food
- Increase her liquid intake
- Make sure she remains well hydrated
- Make sure she changes sanitary pads 4 to 5 times in a day.
- Get her a warm bag and an extra cushion
- Make sure the other family members also know about your daughter’s first period
- Equip her with all period necessaries like pads, tampons, wet wipes, tissue papers and
“So, both at home and at school, things changed when it was my sister’s turn and she knew what happens when you’re on your menstrual cycle,” said Ananya Pandey.
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