We’ve had such a fantastic response to last week’s contest, that I thought we should have another.
We’ll be choosing the winner for last week’s contest tomorrow evening, with an online random number ‘picker’, but feel free to enter this new contest even before then. 🙂
First though, I’d like to introduce you to our newest pad! The Teeny Ultimate!
Yes, another pad in our Ultimate line of pads. This one was created after my eldest daughter requested a shorter pad, but with regular flow absorbancy and our Ultimate Regular Flow shape. So here it is, the Teeny Ultimate.
The same slightly flared ends, with our comfort contour inners.
In this stocking, we’ve used a layer of zorb for extra asborbancy, yet cushiony comfort.
This Teeny pad is just 8.5 inches long! The contoured center is 2.75 inches wide. Perfect for teens, pre-teens and those who simply want a short pad with regular flow absorbancy. This pad is not for those with a super heavy flow, or those who have a flow that tends to ‘travel’. But, for our customers who know their flow stays pretty much in one place, and is a pretty regular/light flow, this pad is perfect. Discreet wear, great comfort.
Check it out! We’ve got several sets of two, and a single up in our shop. They’ll all go ‘live’ on Tuesday evening at 8pm est, 5pm pst at our cart: www.hyenacart.com/HomesteadEmporium
We’ve got LOTS more instock as well this week, some packages and a variety of our other products. Even some all black silk liners!
Now for the contest!
I’ve decided we’ll give away another $20.00 gift certificate. For our contest this week, we’re asking for your help. In keeping with our newest pad, the Teeny Ultimate, perfect for teens (and others too of course!) we’re asking you to help us with information that you, our customers, would like to see in a book/booklet geared towards teens, cloth pads, and their periods. Our eldest daughter loves to write. She writes a monthly article for a horse magazine, and has also written some other things. She has been working on a book for our teen customers and would love your help.
So, whether you are a teen, have a teen, or you remember when you where once a teen yourself, tell us what you would like to see in a book/booklet for young girls just learning about using reusable cloth products for their monthly. 🙂
I would like to see basic information about their cycles, maybe even a place to record the date of their start to keep track, ideas for used pad keepers in the bathroom, info on how much green it is to use cloth and how much mor ecomfy and pretty cloth pads are!
When I first heard about cloth pads, my main questions were about care and keeping – how do I wash them? How many do I need? How often do i need to change them? What can I do to help them last longer (washing on delicate, no bleach, etc.).
If I were a teen, I’d love to see how easy it is to use cloth… and not gross!
I would want reassurance that really no one will know I’m on my period unless I want to tell them. That was always my big fear with my first cycles–that everyone could tell I was wearing a pad, yet I was too embarrassed to actually ask. In retrospect no one could tell unless I was walking funny because I was scared the pad would move ;). I suppose that’s good marketing as well–with great absorbency it’s still smaller than a disposable pad. Pads can be cute and discreet! Of course there’s no shame in menstruating, but sometimes teens can be self conscious about it.
When I was a teenager, I think I would have liked someone to tell me how the discharge changes (in perhaps colour or consistency) during the cycle so that I know what my body was going through was normal. Or perhaps a little about how to know if you had a yeast infection.
I would love to see information about your first period. When I started mine, I was 10 and had NO idea that’s what it was. I’d read pamphlets and spoken to people- but the color and consistency was not at all as described….or as I understood anyhow. The comfort as well. I think many people assume cloth feels wet and gross- I think clearing that up and talking about how lighter your monthly is, is also important.
When I was a teenager, I always felt like my period was dirty and something to be secret. Cloth pads have totally changed my attitude and I look forward to using my beautiful pad stash. Always fun to pick out another beauty! Teens need to know of all the options out there and that there are truly GREAT reusable products available. Information about the normal teenage emotional rollercoaster would also be helpful. I thought I was the only one that felt like that!
What a great idea to write a booklet for teens! When I was a teen, I wish someone had told me that cervical mucus is normal and healthy rather than a sign of yeast infection. I know I was treated for unnecessary yeast infections when all I had was normal (if abundant) cervical mucus.
Teens need to know all the options out there – even those not at the super market.
Discuss how healthy and great these products are. Traditional disposible pads are so stinky and gross so they need to know how different these are.
All the basic info on periods/pads would be wonderful too. Not all moms/dads go through that stuff – they assume it is learned in health class or somewhere else.
The new smaller pad looks great btw. I think I may get some for me too :).
Information about yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis.
How discharge changes throughout the cycle (what is normal).
How blood can look different during menstruation (mine is rather brown at the beginning and end, which means it’s “old” blood).
Information on alternatives to store bought pads and tampons (cloth pads, sponges, cups etc)
Information about how often to change your pad (it may seem obvious to some of us that have been doing it for a while now but I clearly remember being confused about it). Typically the flow is heavier at the start of the period and you need to change it more often, whereas at the end of the cycle you may not need to change it quite as often. Even specifics about how to tell when a pad needs changing (either based on how long you’ve had it on or by how much blood is on there).
Another good idea to include would be simply how to keep yourself feeling and smelling fresh during your period. Chances are if the teen is interested in using cloth pads, they may also be interested in using cloth wipes. You could suggest that a few times per day they get a cloth wipe wet with warm water and wipe (a dry wipe can then be used to dry thoroughly).
When I was a teen I had no idea that your cycle changes through out your life or even in the first couple months. I remember thinking it would be every 28 days on the dot, but it wasn’t. So cycle information is great and reassurance that it’s ok if it’s not every 28 days or might be a little shorter or longer certain months and it’s not our fault if it is a little longer or shorter.
Also, tips on dealing with cramps and other period symptoms if they do come. Also, letting them know that they might hit one month and not another and so on. Then maybe tips on dealing with cramps bloating or other uncomfortable stuff that is beyond medication. I only heard about medication and didn’t know about other remedies.
I haven’t read everyone’s comments, but I was surprised how different my flow was at different times of my cycle and how painful it was. I’m new to mama cloth, and I haven’t started yet, but I heard how using cloth actually helps you not to have cramps. Perhaps that can be included?
What I wish someone cleared up for me when I was a teenager is how not everybody’s cycle is 28 days on the dot, because that’s all what the biology textbooks said! So, helpful facts for teens:
(1) not everyone’s cycle will be 28 days on the dot, it can be shorter and longer, and it can/will change over your life course, especially in your teens
(2) skipping a period is normal and you shouldn’t be worried about anything until you skipped two in a row (because it might hint towards health problems of if the person is sexually active–pregnancy)
(3) you should keep track of your period in order to know when you skipped one or not!
(4) day 1 of your cycle is when you begin to menstruate (I wish this was cleared up for me earlier!)
(5) menstrual blood comes in all shapes and forms. Can be thin, can be bright red, can be murky brown, can be thick, can be clumpy. It’s all normal.
(6) if your vagina has mucus, it is likely not to be a yeast infection unless it looks like cottage cheese. If it’s just mucus (like vagina snot), that’s just normal. Sometimes the mucus will be clear, sometimes egg white, sometimes thin, sometimes thick, sometimes acidic. Sometimes it says “yay, I’m fertile!” Sometimes it says “I’m acidic, go away sperm!”
(7) Most importantly, a period isn’t something to be ashamed about. What comes out of your vagina isn’t poo, or gross, or unsanitary. Blood down there isn’t that different from blood when you have a nosebleed, they even smell the same. You won’t die if you touch it, and it’s not more “dangerous” than other blood that comes out of any other part of your body. So chill out and don’t worry too much about your period.
I would love to see information about the fertility cycle — so not only information about when to expect your period, but at least a brief mention of signs of ovulation. It would also be great to have information about “normal” period symptoms and abnormal symptoms and maybe even some drawings of what bloat can look and feel like (bloaty tummy, swollen breasts).
I have a tween-aged niece who we are anticipating will begin her first menses in the next year or two. I talked to her about the option of using cloth pads as opposed to disposables. Her immediate reaction to the idea of cloth pads was, “How do you wash them?” I think it might be helpful for her to hear from other teens who have used cloth pads about their experiences with having their periods and using and caring for their cloth pads. Including information about the health and environmental benefits in using cloth pads would also be helpful. Finally, it would be nice if the pamphlet also conveys a positive image of having periods. I don’t want my niece to feel embarrassed about this life function nor do I want her to regard or talk about her period with a strong aversion or disgust (e.g., being on ‘the rag’ — while this saying is based on actual practices, it has a negative connotation).
Many teenage girls will appreciate your efforts to reach out to them as they embrace this important change in their life experience 🙂
When I was a teen I didn’t use cloth (never even heard about it). I think back then if I would have received a book about it I would want it to be written by a teen who has experienced cloth. I think information on the benefits of cloth vs disposables both health and environment, a list of the choices in cloth (ie fabrics, styles, etc), and explain to them how comfortable and easily to use/wash/wear/ and hide cloth can be. I would also think that it would be nice to explain how not disgusting or yucky cloth is. Most people seem to have that idea.
Most teens nowadays are used to disposables as the norm. They need to know that there are alternatives (wonderful, cute, and soft ones) that work as well or better then disposables. That they can be discrete and not make you an outcast or have others find you strange. Its all about fitting in really nowadays. If you can make them understand that using cloth is great and won’t alienate them then I think it will help covert some young girls.
As for information on your actual period I would say let them know it is not something bad but a normal body function that they should not be a shamed of. That not all girls/woman bleed the same (some are heavy, some are light), not all periods last a week, and that blood can come in clumps, can be light or dark, and even brownish in color.
I haven’t read the others comments so most of this might be repeated but its just want would have been nice to know when I was younger.
I think some basic info on the whole menstrual cycle would be good. I always liked knowing the WHY behind everything. This could tie into keeping track of one’s cycles; the PP’s idea of a chart in the booklet is another great idea!
I remember getting my “little pink book” in school and it very briefly and very generally went through some basic information about your period. My mother also gave me a basic rundown, but I was too embarrased to ask any questions, so I think a book for teens by a teen is a great idea!
Since I did read through the previous responses, I don’t really have anything new to add, but I agree that would be beneficial to let teens know that there isn’t just one kind of “normal” period. Periods vary from person to person and even in one person from cycle to cycle. It would be great to have a section with experiences from other teens to show this. It’s also great to let them know that there are more environmentally friendly options out there. Until I started cloth diapering I didn’t know that cloth pads existed (at least not modern cloth pads). Not only do they need to know that they exist, but they need to see how pretty they are and hear about how comfortable they are.
As a teen considering cloth use (or even just reading about the “option”!), I think I would want to see testimonials of other teens. I’d want to know how old they were when they started using cloth, how they came to the decision, how easy is it to care for the pads, how secure they feel in them (i.e., leaks?), how they carry both clean and used pads discreetly…etc! I really think “hearing” about others will make the biggest impact in the teen world.
Health, hygiene aspects and the fact that there isn’t any shame or reason to be embarrassed.
I think the booklet should include basic cycle information – including information about cycles that are less than regular. Mine never was until I got married and went on birth control. I think it should also touch on items like the diva cup as well because girls who would lean towards tampons might be more likely to try that option if they knew about it. Certainly you’d want to include information about how often to change your pad, how to store clean and dirty pads, how to wash the pads, etc. I don’t know if such statistics exist, but if she could find statistical information about the amount of disposable pads and tampons the average woman uses over the course of her fertile life maybe that would be rather eye opening and help sway them to cloth. I also think you should include descriptions of all the different sizes and absorbancies and at what point in your cycle and throughout the day you’d typically use each option.
I think it would be really helpful to include a brief description of an entire cycle – fertility signs, mucous, phases (for instance how time of ovulation can vary, but the luteal phase is fairly consistent). As someone who has had irregular cycles since the beginning, basics like these would have been so useful to me and my piece of mind.
One of the reat things about cloth is knowing that I never have to run out to the store (or send someone for me) to buy femenine hygiene products! After my period is over, I store them all in a zippered wetbag until my next cycle approaches. For young women who don’t drive, this is a great bonus 😉
I bought the teeny ultimate posted in this entry. Let me just say, they are GORGEOUS. I almost don’t want to use them, they are so pretty…and soft!!
I started using cloth as a teen (I’m 21 now), and the biggest reason I considered cloth (after discovering that disposables were no longer an option due to allergies) was that I read that it didn’t smell as bad as disposables, whose smell always made me self-conscious. I worried that cloth pads would be bulkier, so it’d be good to see a visual comparison of the thickness of cloth pads vs. disposables of similar absorbencies. It would also be good to explain the materials that go into cloth pads to ensure that they don’t leak, because that was also a worry for me at first. Lastly, I think it should include what to do with used pads when not at home. A little explanation of wetbags and a description of the minimum amount of care cloth pads require (just throw in laundry, let soaking/rinsing be optional) would be a good selling point for on-the-go teens.
I think it would be important for me to have learned that this process is normal, for number 1. I was never exposed to cloth because my mother only remembers when you had to wear the belt with cloth. Maybe explain how easy cloth pads are now, how easy to maintain and use, maybe dive a bit into menstrual cups as an option too.
I think this pamphlet is an excellent idea! I think discreetion is very important to most teens, as well as adults, so I think talking about how no one will know about it is important. I think a section about wetbags and how to care for the pads is also important. And letting them know how much better cloth pads feel!