Girls First Period Bag: Essential Items for Feeling Prepared
Help your tween feel prepared by creating this girls first period bag. A few simple, yet essential items along with open communication between mother and daughter can help the physical and emotional changes a tween girl encounters feel a little less overwhemling.
Items to Include in a First Period Bag for Girls
I knew it was time for me to start thinking of this transition for my daughter (yikes!). But frankly was a bit overwhelmed myself. So, I had looked up first period starter kits online, however some were actually quite pricey.
Of course, I knew I could put together my own bag for less. And honestly, be a little more intentional in what was included. Here are the items I ended up using:
1. Pair of her own undies: Some kits included a “new” pair of underwear. But my thought, what if they aren’t comfortable? Better to have a trusty backup pair she knows will fit.
2. Several size pads: It’s hard to know just what will be the best pads for first period, since everyone has personal preference. That’s why I included a couple of different brands (Always, Kotex and Stayfree have coupons!). And I love that Kotex makes a tween version (maybe I just fell prey to marketing, but they do seem to be more appropriate for tween/teen size). I also decided to wait on including tampons.
3. Hand sanitizer and flushable wipes: Face it, sometimes school bathrooms and other public restrooms just aren’t the cleanest places. Hand sanitizer can be useful right in the stall even and a flushable wipe to help just feel a little more fresh and confident.
4. Hand lotion and/or lip balm: Why not add in some lotion or a lip balm. Just a little something to pamper your girl.
5. The bag: We actually had this bag already (from an AXE for her gift set). But this might be a great opportunity to buy something new and reflect her personality. Cosmetic bags or even pencil pouches are a great size.
Recently I saw a thread in a mom’s group about many girls in our local middle school not having the funds for supplies during their period. A few mom’s were collecting donations for the nurse to have for these girls.
I used our first period discussion to also mention that this “period emergency kit” may actually help a friend in need as much as it would herself. So she carries it with her now so she can be ready for herself, or a friend.
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I wish I had something like this with my first period! There were certainly plenty of times I found myself unprepared (even after my first menstruation experience). But I hope that the open communication this created and the supplies this provides will give my daughter some peace of mind that she is prepared when the time comes (or as much as she can be!).
Further reading on the topic…
I have heard from many moms that the Secret Keeper Girls book is wonderful and perfectly appropriate for their tweens. And of course the American Girl books always get great reviews as well.
Would You Create a First Period Bag? What Else Would You Add to the Bag?
Update: During the writing of this post, I discovered reusable menstrual pads. Want to know more about these products? READ my Reusable Menstrual Pad review HERE!
Steff says
Period underwear is a nice idea too. We like the book series I’m a girl. Has very nice story line about a group of friends with lots of questions and they meet their doctor by chance at the park and have a great discussion. There are a few books in the series and we have used them since our daughter was 5, age appropriately. She’s now 11.5 and getting really close to starting her cycles. I love the idea of Period kits! Thanks for sharing. I think we will make some for the local schools.
Bean says
Thank you! This was super helpful for me. 😊
Karin says
I am mom and grandmother to boys, so didn’t have to deal directly with first periods. I am planning to make kits to give to our local homeless shelter, and appreciate all the great suggestions. I’m also thinking (after reading the comments) that I may make some to give to my grandson’s elementary school for the nurse to have on hand.
Shaunda says
This was awesome! Thanks for sharing. I have a 10 yr old going to the 4th grade and she is worried about getting her period at school. I will make this kit for her. This is new to me as I have 2 older boys. What else could I explain to my daughter? I bought her a book called The Care and Keeping of you.
Mary Hoover says
It is such a tricky time for mom and daughter. We have had a couple conversations, just trying to keep it real and simple at this point. The Care and Keeping of You is an excellent choice too!
Izzy Lewis says
I only have one child, a 9 year old daughter. We have been talking about her body, periods, etc. since she was about 5!!! She is very open to talking to me about ANYTHING about her body that is bothering her or that she is not sure about (I’m SO thankful for this). I just try to be sure to be completely open and honest about anything we talk about so that she knows she can always come to me. I ALSO made sure to tell her that she can also talk to her dad about anything at anytime, but espciellay if I am not around and she is needing pads, (tampons– later on), etc. I don’t want her to think it’s anything she has to hide from either of us. I did not start until I was in middle school and I was lucky to start on the weekend at home, so it was pretty simple and easy. I always promised that I would talk to my daughter (and son if I had one, because boys need to be taught what girls go through and that it’s a normal process) and make sure she was prepared; we were raised by grandparents (they were amazing) and talking about periods, and body changes, etc. were not really talked openly about in their time and wasn’t to us when we started. ….. Sorry– I’m rambling! Anyway, don’t worry just be open and honest as much as possible and you’ll all/both get through it. 🙂
bugg says
I’m ten yrs old and I am actually super scared! Thank you so much for these tips, this helps so much!!😊
Mary Hoover says
Aww sweet “bugg”! It’s ok to feel a little scared, we all did! I’m glad that maybe a few of these tips and putting together a bag might help ease some of these fears. Maybe you and your friends could ask your moms to do a little party and make the bags together. The important thing is to be open about it with friends and family who can help.
Liz says
This is such a great idea! I remember my mum doing this for me but more basic as things were back then. I am raising a grand-daughter and will remember this for when the time comes!!
Mary Hoover says
Good on your mom for doing that. I was certainly not prepared, so hoping to help my daughter be more so. And blessings to you on raising your grand-daughter.
Breianna says
I absolutely love this! My daughter turned 10 in May and is entering 5th grade I ordered the First American Girl Book and read it then together we went through it (loved everything about it)! She was really concerned about starting at school and you just solved that for me!! I will be getting supplies for this!!
Mary Hoover says
Breianna- It really can be a daunting time for both mom and daughter. I am so glad you found this info to be helpful! All the best to you and your young lady!
Becs424 says
For my girls, I was sure to have their clean underwear in a plastic sandwich baggie so they had somewhere to put their dirty underwear. Also, if there’s room, consider including an inexpensive pair of black leggings in case she bled through whatever she was wearing
Mary Hoover says
Great tips mama! Thanks for commenting!
Izzy Lewis says
This is a FABULOUS idea! I am adding black leggings to her current kit. She has not started yet, but she is showing other signs that she could start anytime… **GULP!!** so she keeps a small period kit in her backpack and we have talked about each item.
Thanks for the great idea! 🙂
SHAR says
Wish I had this school ?
Mary Hoover says
Me too Shar! I was certainly unprepared. And this would have given a little peace of mind too.
Linda says
Love this! I failed in this ‘cause who would have thought her daughter would start in 3rd grade???(I should have had a clue since that’s when I started too)
Mary Hoover says
Oh dear, third grade really is early! I was about in the sixth grade. And my daughter is in the fifth. I also wanted to get ahead of the school, they will be doing a general biology and reproductive health unit later in the school year. So I wanted to just give her a little heads up before all of that happened as well.