Talking with your baby about your period can help your baby grow confidently

The onset of the menstrual cycle is an important event for girls. Some babies accept this normally, but others feel confused and scared. Whatever your child's reaction, you should talk to your baby about your period at the right time so she can be better prepared.

Girls or boys are both curious and curious when they start entering puberty because at this age, the child's body will change a lot. One of the most important events for a girl during puberty is the onset of her menstrual cycle. You need to understand menstruation to explain to your baby when needed.

Information about menstruation

Menstruation is a sign that a girl is likely to become pregnant. In the 1990s, girls started menstruating between the ages of 14 and 15, but today this age has declined to between 10 and 14.

During the menstrual cycle, the body releases hormones that help control and prepare for pregnancy. The hormones estrogen and progesterone stimulate the endometrium to thicken. Other hormones stimulate the eggs to ripen and release around day 14 of the menstrual cycle.

If the egg meets the sperm and is fertilized, the fertilized egg takes about 2 to 4 days to go down the fallopian tube and enter the thick, vascular lining of the uterus. If an egg is not fertilized, the levels of estrogen and progesterone drop, the uterine lining falls off and leaves the body forming a period.

A menstrual cycle lasts from the first day of one month to the first day of the following month. The cycle usually lasts 28 days. You will see "red light" appear about 3-5 days and take about 30-60ml of menstrual fluid depending on each person and cycle. During the first few years, your menstrual cycle is usually irregular. The cycle can be as long as 3 weeks or as long as 6 weeks.

After 1-2 years from the time girls show signs of puberty such as breast development, hair, taller and more curvy, your baby will have her first cycle. If your baby hasn't had a period after 15 years of age or 3 years after the first signs of puberty appear, take your baby to see a doctor.

Why you need to talk to your baby about your period

Parents should teach their children about menstruation. I always need this knowledge before puberty for the following reasons:

Give your child the necessary information. This not only enhances children's knowledge, but also lets them know that their parents are always there and comfortable discussing these delicate issues.

Children always want to learn everything from their parents, so you should be the one to provide what your child needs to know before they show signs of puberty.

When talking about your period with your baby, it's a good idea to convey accurate information so your baby knows and makes sure he or she doesn't misinterpret the problem.

Girls also need to be familiar with menstrual products like tampons or tampons and should be aware that periods can sometimes cause colic.

Sometimes ovulation can happen right before the baby's first period and the egg fertilizes if it encounters sperm. Therefore, you should tell your child about early menstruation and contraceptive measures to make them aware of protecting themselves, avoiding curiosity that causes unfortunate consequences.

Tips for talking to your baby about menstruation

Both parents and children find it difficult and embarrassing to talk about this. Here are some ways to make the discussion easier and more open:

Find easy-to-understand menstrual books or videos for your baby to see. This will make the conversation more comfortable.

Talk to your doctor about ways to talk about menstruation and puberty with your baby.

Gather all your menstrual information so your baby always has your reference materials available when needed.

If your child asks a question that you cannot answer, make an appointment with your child that she will find out and answer them later.

Combine your chats with lessons about health and sex education at your child's school. Ask your child's teacher to learn more about these lessons.

Create a friendly environment for your children to ask questions. You can talk to your child while shopping for sanitary napkins.

If you hear your baby mention some information about menstruation, ask where he or she gets information. This is a great way to correct your child's misconceptions, if any.

Before you take your baby for a routine check-up, let your baby know that the doctor can ask if your baby has a period. You can take this opportunity to ask if your baby has any questions about menstruation.

Avoid putting too much information into one conversation and try to break it up into small, frequent chats. Too much information at once will confuse your child.

Babies may wonder about menstruation very early, but you should only provide information that is age-appropriate for your baby to understand.

Explain to your child that everyone develops differently. Girls don't need to worry if they see their bodies changing faster or more slowly than their friends.

Keep a positive attitude to avoid giving your baby a bad impression when you talk about your period with your baby. Explain that menstruation is natural and wonderful as it marks a baby girl's ability to be a mother.

Frequently asked questions about menstruation

Both boys and girls have the curious curiosity when they see their bodies have a strange change. Please refer to the answer below to answer for your child:

Why do girls have periods? Puberty boys will have a deeper voice and begin to have a beard. And girls will have periods. Nguyet san appeared because of changes in the uterus, a part of the body that girls have but boys do not.

Will your baby have a period until the end of his life? No, a woman will be menopausal between the ages of 45 - 51. After menopause, she will no longer be able to get pregnant.

How long will my period last and how much blood will my baby lose? Moon san lasts from 3 days to a week depending on the person. The lunar calendar may be small, medium or large, but the baby will lose about 30-60ml of blood depending on the cycle.

Should I use tampons or tampons? You can choose what you are comfortable with. Tampons can be difficult to use in the early years when the pelvis and vagina are still developing. Usually, girls will choose tampons in their early years and switch to tampons when they grow up to be more active (remember there is no age set for tampon use). Each tampon box has instructions and you should read it carefully. Although using a tampon may be difficult the first few times, it will be easier with practice. You have to relax and start with a small tampon that makes it easier to insert into the vagina.

Do girls have to stop playing sports or swimming during their periods? Babies can do everything they like as usual. You can choose a tampon if you want to swim.

What is toxic shock syndrome? This is a rare but serious bacterial infection syndrome associated with tampon use . You can prevent it easily by changing tampons often and using tampons with good absorbency. Your baby will also need to change the tampon every 4 hours or more often if your period is heavy.

Are menstruation always colic? Abdominal pain is a big problem for some girls, but many don't get it in the first 1-2 years. Abdominal pain usually lasts only a few days. Sometimes, applying warm compresses or taking a warm bath can help alleviate the discomfort. You can also practice deep breathing and exercise. If your stomach aches too much, you can take over-the-counter medications like Panadol,  Advil or Motrin. It is common to have a stomach ache for one or two days a month, but if the pain interferes with your child's learning or resting it is important to see the doctor.

What is premenstrual syndrome? Premenstrual syndrome includes physical and emotional changes such as mood swings, muscle tension, bloating, and chest pain that may occur before menstruation. Some girls do not experience this syndrome. Some other babies only have this syndrome after the first 1-2 years. If your child has any of the above symptoms, let them rest, exercise and eat healthy.

Do girls need to douche or use deodorant sprays during periods? No. In fact, douching can increase the likelihood of infection because it disrupts the balance of bacteria in the vagina.

It is very important to give your baby accurate and relevant information about your period. I am on a journey to become an adult and always need my parents by my side. Take the time to prepare your baby for puberty comfortably.