Advice for parents with a child going through their first period at school

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00:00The new school term is currently underway with students having to navigate things such as

00:04timetables and making friends but for some they may also be managing their first period.

00:10Hi, I'm health reporter Sarah McCann. Here's everything you need to know as parents

00:15as how to support your child. Over the last two decades the average age of getting your first

00:21period has gotten younger with a recent study finding that the average age is now 11.9 years

00:27old whilst those who have got their period under the age of 11 or even under the age of 9 has also

00:35doubled. With periods starting younger, Dr Olivia Ann, founder of Femcare Brand Fluss, is advising that

00:43parents have open conversations with their daughters as one in four girls are still unsure

00:49what to do when their first period starts. Dr Ann recommends calm, clear, open conversations from

00:56around the age of 8 years old or whenever your child starts to show a natural interest. Use clear

01:03language with the right medical terms and skip any euphemisms. There are other ways that parents can

01:10help support their child if they experience their first period whilst they're in school. This can

01:15include packing a just-in-case bag which can live in their child's school bag and include everything

01:21they would need if they got their first period. It's also really important to know your school's

01:26period policy around free period products and most importantly how students can access these and

01:32if they're allowed to leave during class time to access products. Helping support your child by

01:38preparing them for their first period can mean that it is a more positive experience. You can find out

01:44more information about supporting your child during their first period at nhs.uk