Yesterday my daughter started her period. She's 8 years old.

I'm so flabbergasted. My daughter will be 9 in March, two days ago she started her period. I have an older daughter who is 22 that started at 12. She was ready. My youngest is not. Its very surreal to be teaching her about pads, wings, how to take a sweater and wear dark pants, how to wrap toilet paper in case there is no sanitary stuff available. She doesnt understand why it has to happen for days on end. She can't wrap her head around it. Its so hard to explain to her. She understands the mechanics of it_ cleansing of her body to be ready in the future. Shes such an adorable kid. a KID. This isnt Mommy not letting her daughter grow up- she still speaks in baby sometimes and pees her pants when shes too involved with her play. She still loves her American Girl knockoff dolls and still sleeps with her childhood stuffy.

I know it can be genetics, I know what it could be, It could be neurological my mother had 2 aneurysms and I myself have a tumor in remissions. Could be that shes growing tooo fast- shes already 4'11. Could be stress- her dad and i split 50/50 but she goes to school at his house, Her grandmother recently had a stroke and family life there has been a bit tumultuous. Ive read studies about young girls who are close to their mothers ar more apt to start later. it fills me with guilt. SHe goes to the doc Monday for bone xrays to determine how fast shes growing.

So, onto the problem. I cannot find period panties that fit an 8 year old. Ive googled and searched amazon. I figure this is the best and most cleanest way to approach this. Any help here would be appreciated. She doesnt understand wings. Or leakagae, While Im trying my best my funds are limited. I just want to help her feel not so out of place. Apologies if my thoughts are scattered.

Edit: i got her the panties and she's in such relief. Thank you all for your helpful support. We went to a show and got ice cream and we talked about it. She's understanding better. I also ordered the American Girl book one poster recommended. Thank you all