Daughter's First Periods - Need Advice

The only thing normal about periods during those early teen years is that there is no such thing as normal or regular periods for most teens. It can take a couple of years before there is anything predictable, and for some of us lucky ones (please read much sarcasm here), our periods are never normal or regular.

If she were my daughter, I'd probably call the doctor, too, just to be safe. But my honest guess would be that there's nothing wrong. It just is what it is.

You have good advice below (6-8 days has always been normal for me so no need for concern unless the entire 7 days has been heavy). If this is something your daughter needs more info about in general, I suggest The Care and Keeping of You book.

Don't you remember when you got your period?
There are lots of books that you can get her that are age appropriate and will give her the info she needs.
You seem to have a history with anxiety and your own periods - you don't want to pass the anxiety about them to your daughter.
Starting periods (your daughter) and peri menopause (you) when hormones are ramping up and down respectively can have some very similar effects.
And it's just so much "fun" when you've got both going on at the same time.
I'd keep an extra supply of Midol around the house.

(I'm not trying to be funny - I was horribly moody when in peri-menopause.
While on travel I needed some Midol and didn't know where they kept it in a drug store we stopped at on the road.
One look at an employee and a "Where's the Midol?!" got me there quickly with no casualties.)

I don't understand why you are worried, if it's not heavy. A normal period can easily last 6-7 days, and for a first period, there's even less reason to think it would be shorter. It's going to be a long time before her hormones level off. I suggest that you speak to your librarian about a good book for you to read as well as one to share with her. "Our Bodies, Ourselves" was the guidebook for most of us for many years (and it has been updated), but there are others, and there are quite a few geared to the teen herself. I think learning more will be very helpful to you, not just now but going through the high school years.

periods often last a week.

first periods are notoriously unpredictable.

i hope you are not projecting this worry to your young daughter. i hope she was well-prepared for this. if you are worried about something this normal, it may well be terrifying for her.

calling the doctor is a good idea, as it may be that your daughter needs to hear about this important but very normal phase of her life from someone who is calm and knowledgable.

khairete
S.

I agree with Diane. I think everyone's vary, but 7 days seems familiar to me at that age. So long as they aren't super heavy that whole entire time. I think in the beginning they are quite erratic and it takes a while for them to settle, so I wouldn't personally be too concerned.

I too read that book Diane mentions below. I read it when I was older (high school and we had it in our apartment in college that I shared with my buds). We referred to it often. Good resource :)

She started her first period? I understand you are likely experiencing a variety of emotions with her growing up,

Everyone is different but it's not uncommon for a monthly period to last 6-8 days.

I strongly encourage keeping a period journal which details the time geteeem her cycle, her feelings (moody? ) , how many days the period lasts and the flow... (heavy daily or heavy then slack off, etc)

This is not to worry about and certainly try not to Relay your worry to your daughter. She does not need extra anxiety.

It's a good idea to talk to the pedi about this so it's in her medical file.

There are many books on the market for you and her to ease any worries and embrace her new step toward adulthood.