A first period is easier to handle when the basics are familiar.
You don't need to predict the date. You can help your girl understand what's happening, find protection she feels comfortable using and know what to do if it starts away from home.
This is a place to get your bearings: how period underwear works, what makes the options different and how to put a practical first-period kit together.
Start with understanding. The shopping can follow.
Timing varies
Periods commonly start between nine and 15, and can be irregular in the first few years. A calendar helps her notice patterns, but preparation is more useful than a prediction.
Explain the basics
A period is blood and tissue from the lining of the uterus leaving through the vagina. Use the word period, show her the products and leave room for questions.
Let her have a say
Pads, period underwear, tampons and cups are different options. She can learn about them and choose what feels comfortable. There's no need to decide on one forever.
Background: The Royal Children's Hospital guide to periods. If pain or other symptoms worry you or your girl, speak with a doctor.
Period protection, built into her underwear.
Period underwear has absorbent fabric layers that collect flow as it leaves the body. She wears it like underwear, with nothing to insert. After wearing, rinse, wash and reuse.
That familiar format can be a useful starting point. She can try the fit at home, learn how a change works and keep a spare ready for school.
The important difference is absorbency. A light liner and period-day underwear do different jobs. Choose for her flow and check the instructions for that style.
Choose by flow, fit and what she needs today.
Three starting points. Different jobs.
Before it starts, or light days
UnderLiner
An ultra-thin built-in liner for spotting, discharge and light flow. A familiar everyday brief for the uncertain days.
For heavier flow, choose higher absorbency.
First and early period years
Bumpers Briefs™
Four layers of absorbent lining and Bumpers side barriers built into the seams. Period-day protection in a brief shape.
Pack a spare and plan changes around her flow.
A boyleg fit, including sleep
UnderShortie™
A soft, wide waistband and a protection zone extending from the front waistband to the back. Fuller coverage for everyday wear and sleep.
Check the style's absorbency and size before choosing.
Why the details matter.
Side barriers have a job
Bumpers Briefs put leak-locking barriers at the sides of the absorbent lining. The four-layer lining takes in flow; the barriers address leakage at the seams.
This is Bumpers construction, not a feature shared by every style.
Coverage changes with the cut
UnderShortie's protection zone extends from front waistband to back. The product image shows where that coverage sits, including for sleep.
Coverage describes area. Absorbency describes how much it can hold. Both matter.
Make the plan with her. Then let her own it.
Knowing where her supplies are is useful. Knowing how to use them is better. Pack a small kit together and talk through a change before she needs one.
- Protection she recognises: her chosen period product and a spare pair of underwear.
- A separate pouch: somewhere to put worn underwear until she gets home.
- A place to change: check where the toilets and supplies are.
- Someone to ask: agree on a trusted adult at school or training.
Let her choose the pouch, where it goes and how she wants to ask for help. It's her kit.
The practical questions, answered.
How do I choose her size?
Use the measurements for the exact style in the Size & Fit Finder. An age label is only a starting reference.
Try new Eltees on over clean underwear before removing the hygiene sticker. Slide a pinky finger under the fabric around the widest part of the bum: almost no resistance means too big; digging in like an elastic band means too small; a bit of resistance, but not a fight, is the fit you're looking for.
How often will she need to change?
It depends on her flow and the absorbency of the style. There isn't one wear time that suits everyone. Check the product instructions, keep a spare available and help her get used to checking her protection while she learns her pattern.
How do we wash them?
Rinse worn underwear in lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Machine wash on a cold cycle with similar colours, without fabric softener. Line dry completely; skip the tumble dryer.
If she's away from home, put the worn pair in a pouch and rinse when she's home, before it dries out. See the full wear and care guide.
How many pairs should we start with?
Plan around what she'll wear, what she may need to change into and what's in the wash or drying. Try the fit before building a rotation. Explore bundles once you know the style works for her, and check each bundle's contents.
What about swimming, sport or dance?
Choose protection for the activity. Everyday underwear isn't swim protection. Our period swimwear guide explains the pool options; sport and dance periodwear covers activity-specific choices.
What if we still have questions?
For product, fit or care questions, contact Eltee. For concerns about bleeding, pain or other symptoms, speak with a doctor. The Royal Children's Hospital period guide explains when to seek medical advice.
She doesn't need every answer today.
Start with a conversation, something familiar to wear and a plan she understands. Come back to the details together as she needs them.
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