But my mom says that I shouldn’t use tampons when I get my first because I might get TSS

Okay so, TSS is super rare, and you can totally use tampons for your first period if you want to. It's really all about what feels right for you. Lots of people use pads for their first period because they're easier to figure out, but tampons are fine too if you read the instructions and change them regularly.

TSS stands for Toxic Shock Syndrome, and it's a super serious illness that can happen to anyone, not just people with periods. It can be caused by certain types of bacteria, and one way it can happen is if a tampon is left in for too long, or if you use a super-absorbent tampon when you don't need it. That's why the instructions always say to use the lowest absorbency for your flow and to change your tampon every 4-8 hours.

If you do use tampons, make sure to wash your hands before and after putting one in. And if you ever feel really sick, like with a sudden fever, headache, or feel dizzy while you have a tampon in, tell a grown-up right away. But honestly, it's really, really rare, so try not to stress too much about it! The most important thing is to feel comfortable and confident with whatever period product you choose. You can always try different things to see what you like best.