Four essential personal hygiene tips for your daughter

It is extremely important for your little girls to have a hygiene routine. This is so that they can adapt to a healthy and clean lifestyle that they can carry on to adulthood. Start them off young just as the saying goes, “If you stay ready you don’t have to get ready.” Set them up for life right now so that they wont have to struggle to keep up when they become older.

Teach your daughter the importance of showering at least once a day every day. Verbally explain to her how to properly wash her body. Body parts that can be missed by little girls are the back of the ears, the neck, underneath nails, between toes and the bellybutton. Also ensure that she properly washes her armpits.

Additionally, explain to her how to properly wash her intimate and backside area. Faecal matter that isn’t properly cleaned before each shower session needs to be properly washed off in the shower. In the same breath, she should always wipe from front to back after a long call until the tissue is clean, followed with baby wipes.

Ensure that your daughter never repeats a dirty pair of underwear. Explain to her that each time she gets dressed, she needs to wear a clean, dry pair of underwear.

Some children put on wet underwear for it to dry with the body’s heat. This is unsafe for girls in particular. The moisture increases the chances of fungus breeding in her intimate area.

Consider giving your daughter “the period talk” when she’s at least nine years old. Most girls begin their periods between the ages of 10-15 years. Talking to her ahead of her first period will prepare her for one of the biggest transitions that most women have to go through.

Avoid being too discreet, and at the same time, don’t be too graphic so as to not make her panic when the day comes. It would be wise to give her a mini pouch containing pads, a pair of clean underwear, pocket tissues and wet wipes. She should carry this pouch with her everyday so that she stays ready for her first introduction to womanhood.

When your little girl starts transitioning to teenage hood, her body will go through certain changes that she might not know how to deal with. She’ll begin growing hair on her body, sweating more and producing more sebum, which can cause acne breakouts.

If she decides to start shaving, show her how to shave her pubic hair in the right direction. Also, remind her that she should use a new shaving stick each time she shaves.  

Buy her an aluminium-free deodorant to control sweat production and odour. When it comes to breakouts, a mild, fragrance-free soap or cleanser can be used. If she has severe acne, a proper skincare routine should be established.