You should feel some tenderness or soreness when breasts begin to bud. This is normal, and nothing to be concerned about. It just means you are starting to develop. Next, the nipples and areola (circle of skin around them) will get darker and bigger. Then the breasts will start to grow more, at first perhaps having a pointy shape.
Sometimes girls who aren’t really that developed ask to wear a bra because their friend is wearing one. They could start out by trying a training bra[1] X Research source You could also start out by wearing a tank top under your shirts. Either way, you should not stress out about whether you are developing like other girls. Everyone moves at their own pace, and that’s OK.
She might start to grow pubic hair. In some girls, pubic hair actually develops before breast buds appear. [2] X Research source Puberty can cause a girl to gain some weight, especially in the belly area. The belly might look more rounded. This is a natural sign that a girl is starting to mature physically. The girl also might start menstruating, although her periods might be very infrequent at first. All of these things are normal signs of puberty.
You want to find a very comfortable bra for your first one. There’s no reason for a young girl to have a fancy or lacy bra. Training bras are usually simple, stretchy cotton bras without cups. [3] X Research source A sports bra is another good idea for gym class or if you are in any team sport. Because sports bras are designed to be flatter in the cup area, and are very comfortable, they can be good choices for your first bra, even if you don’t play sports.
Measure yourself or ask your mother to measure you every four weeks so you can figure out when you need a soft cup bra. These don’t push up or otherwise change the shape of the breasts, so they are appropriate for young girls and are also comfortable. Underwire bras are also not a wise choice for a first bra; they provide more support for girls with very large breasts, and since you’re just starting to develop, that’s probably not needed. You can choose a bra that’s similar to your skin tone so that it doesn’t show through your shirt, if you want. Buying bras in different colors can help you match them to the shirt, so they don’t show through (for example, you wouldn’t want to wear a black bra with a white shirt unless you have darker skin). [5] X Research source
For example, a girl might need to know that you don’t need to wear a bra at night. Some bras have padding, but others don’t, and the padding is not necessary when a girl is just starting to develop. [6] X Research source You can use a wash bag to protect the bra from damage during a washing cycle. You can find first bra lines in many department stores and in many lingerie lines. This can be a good choice for a girl’s first bra.
Ask your mother or another adult for a book that explains puberty. Explain to her what is going on with your body. Be open about your feelings. Sometimes boys tease girls about bras. If this has happened to you, don’t worry - it’s common. But do tell an adult. [8] X Research source Realize that women are beautiful no matter the size of their breasts. Girls might be worried if their breasts are small or teased if they are big. Realize that women come in all shapes and sizes. [9] X Research source Don’t worry if you feel embarrassed. Understand if you feel embarrassed that this is normal at your age. If you are the parent of a girl, don’t discuss the topic with others – friends, siblings – in front of her.
In the US, bra size is broken down into two pieces: Chest size and cup size. The chest size is an even number, such as 32, 34, 36 and so on. The cup sizes are in letters, like A, B, or C. [10] X Research source In other countries, like the UK cup sizes can be different (AA, A, B, C, D, DD, etc. )[11] X Research source A saleswoman at a department store will measure you for a bra, or you can do it at home or ask your mother or older sister for help. Use a tape measure. To determine chest size, run the tape measure under the breasts and around the back. Hold it firm, but not too tight. The measurement will be in inches. Add 5 inches to that number. This is your chest size. [12] X Research source For cup size, loop the tape measure firmly around your body at the fullest part of your breasts. Subtract your chest measurement from that figure. The remaining number should be between 1 inch and 4 inches. This is how you determine cup size. Less than 1 inch is a AA bra cup size. 1 inch is an A, 2 inches a B, 3 inches a C and 4 inches a D. If you end up with an odd number, round up to the next even number. This is especially important with young girls because they are growing so fast that if you round down they won’t fit in the bra long if at all. Girls are usually ready for a bra when they have an A cup. [13] X Research source
To put on a bra, put your arms through the bra straps and lean forward so the breasts fall into the cups. Fasten the back in the middle hook (training and sports bras don’t have anything to fasten, which also make them good choices for a very first bra. ) Adjust the straps if necessary and refasten the back of it on a different clip to change the size. You could ask your mother to take you to a department store and get you measured and fitted for your first bra. Some mothers try to make it a fun mother-and-daughter day. Remember—the best bras should make you feel like you have nothing on.
