♡ A note from Gemma
When I had my own first period, period pants simply weren't something we talked about. Like many mums, I grew up using disposable period products, so when I first started looking at period pants for my daughter, I had questions too.
Do you wear them on their own? How do they actually absorb blood? How often do they need changing? And perhaps most importantly - do they really work?
The more I learned about them, the more I understood why they can be such a reassuring option for girls approaching their first period.
So if period pants are completely new to you too, this guide explains the basics - simply and practically - so you and your daughter can decide what feels right for her ♡
What actually are period pants?
Period pants look and feel much like ordinary underwear, but they contain absorbent and leak-resistant layers in the gusset designed to absorb menstrual flow.
They're washable and reusable and, depending on the absorbency of the particular pair, can be worn instead of a disposable pad.
That last part is often the thing parents aren't sure about:
Yes - period pants are designed to be worn on their own.
There's generally no need to put a pad inside them unless someone personally prefers to use the two together or the specific product instructions advise it.
For a girl experiencing her first periods, that simplicity can be really helpful. She puts on a pair of pants just as she would her normal underwear, without having to position a pad or worry about it moving around.
How do period pants work?
Although they look like normal underwear from the outside, the gusset is usually made from several layers, each with a different job.
Depending on the brand and design, these may include:
A soft layer next to the skin
Designed to feel comfortable and help move moisture away from the body.
An absorbent inner layer
This holds menstrual fluid.
A leak-resistant layer
This provides additional protection against leaks reaching clothing.
The outer fabric
Giving them the appearance and feel of ordinary underwear.
Are period pants good for a first period?
They can be a particularly lovely option.
First periods are often unpredictable, and one of the worries girls can have is whether they'll know what to do when it happens.
Period pants remove some of that complication.
There's nothing to unwrap or stick into place. They simply put them on like underwear.
They can also feel more discreet under school clothes and don't necessarily look obviously like a period product when they're folded in a bag.
However, there isn't one “best” first-period product.
Some girls prefer pads. Some prefer period pants. Some like having both available.
The best option is ultimately the one that makes her feel most comfortable and confident.
How absorbent are period pants?
Period pants are available in different absorbencies - often described as light, medium, heavy or overnight - and different brands may define those terms differently.
Rather than assuming all period pants provide the same protection, check the manufacturer's guidance for the particular pair you're buying.
For a girl who is just starting her periods, it can also take a little time to understand her own flow.
Checking in with how the pants feel and changing them when needed will gradually become something she understands instinctively.
How often should period pants be changed?
There's no single number of hours that's right for every girl or every pair of period pants.
It depends on:
- her flow;
- the absorbency of the pants;
- the particular product;
- and how comfortable she feels.
Always follow the manufacturer's guidance.
If the pants begin to feel wet or uncomfortable, or there's any sign of leaking, it's time for a fresh pair.
Especially during those first few periods, I'd encourage girls to check rather than worry about the clock.
What about period pants at school?
This is understandably one of the biggest questions for parents.
For some girls, period pants can actually make school days feel simpler because they can put them on in the morning just like ordinary underwear.
I'd still recommend having a backup plan.
A small period pouch in her school bag could contain:
- a clean pair of period pants;
- a pad or panty liner if she uses them;
- spare ordinary underwear;
- and a discreet waterproof or wet bag for anything she changes out of.
If she needs to change her period pants during the school day, she can place the worn pair into the wet bag and bring them home to wash.
And importantly, make sure she knows who she can ask for help at school if she ever needs it.
Knowing what to do is often what removes the worry.
Can she sleep in period pants?
Many period pants are designed for overnight use, but again, check the absorbency and instructions for the particular pair.
For some girls, period pants can feel reassuring at night because there's no pad to shift while they're sleeping.
An overnight or higher-absorbency style may be preferable, particularly once you have a better idea of her flow.
How many pairs of period pants does she need?
This really depends on whether period pants will be her main period product or simply one of several options.
If she's trying them for the first time, you don't necessarily need to buy an entire drawerful.
Starting with a small number allows her to see whether she likes wearing them.
If they become her preferred option, you'll probably want enough pairs to allow for wearing, washing and drying without constantly running out.
For school, sleepovers or time away from home, having a spare clean pair can be particularly reassuring.
How do you wash period pants?
This is another area that can sound complicated until you've actually done it.
The most important rule is:
Follow the care instructions for your particular period pants.
Generally, period pants are cold rinsed or washed after use and then machine washed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Many brands recommend avoiding fabric conditioner, as it can affect the absorbent fabric.
They are also commonly air-dried rather than tumble-dried, although again this varies by product.
*For with you period pants: rinse in cold water after use, wash according to the care label without fabric conditioner and allow them to air dry.
Period pants or pads - which is better for a first period?
Neither.
And I actually think that's an important message for girls.
A first period doesn't need to come with rules about what she should use.
Period pants may suit her if she:
♡ likes the familiarity of ordinary underwear
♡ doesn't want to position or change pads
♡ wants something discreet
♡ likes the idea of a reusable option
Pads may suit her if she:
♡ wants something she can change easily away from home
♡ prefers a disposable option
♡ wants to see and understand her flow more easily
♡ simply feels more comfortable using them
And she doesn't have to choose one forever.
She might wear period pants at school, a pad at another time, or use different products as her periods change.
Let her experiment and discover what makes her feel most confident.
What if they leak?
Leaks can happen with any period product.
They don't mean she's done anything wrong.
A leak might simply mean that the pants weren't absorbent enough for her flow, she'd worn them for too long, or that a different fit or product would work better.
This is another reason having spare underwear and period protection in her bag is useful.
If a leak happens, deal with it calmly.
The way we react to these little moments can influence whether our daughters see periods as embarrassing mishaps or simply normal things that occasionally need sorting out.
Should my daughter try period pants before her first period?
I think there's a lot to be said for letting her see and handle them beforehand.
She could even try a pair on at home if she'd like to understand how they fit and feel.
It removes some of the mystery.
Then, if her first period arrives unexpectedly, she isn't being handed an unfamiliar product at an already unfamiliar moment.
Familiarity builds confidence.
And that's really what preparing for a first period is all about.
Final Thoughts ♡
Period pants can sound surprisingly complicated when you've never used them.
In reality, the idea is wonderfully simple: underwear with built-in period protection that can be washed and worn again.
They won't be the right choice for every girl and they don't need to be.
What matters is giving our daughters options, showing them how those options work and letting them discover what makes them feel most comfortable.
Because when her first period arrives, she doesn't need to know everything.
She just needs to know what her choices are, how to use them and that there's someone she can ask if she's unsure.
Quietly ready, whenever she needs it ♡
Our with you First Period Confidence Pouch includes a pair of period pants alongside pads, panty liners and other thoughtfully chosen first-period essentials - giving her the opportunity to discover what feels right for her before she needs it.
Shop the with you First Period Confidence Pouch→ click here