Buying your first bra is an important step for any girl and it could make you feel horny or embarrassed or both. This is normal and you shouldn't be worried about it. There are signs when you start to need a bra, but it's important to remember that not all girls are the same and you may be growing at a different pace than your friends and that's okay!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the Signs of Breast Development
Step 1. Notice if you can see the "breast buttons" under the shirt
If you notice these little breast sketches, it means it's time to buy your first bra. Breast buttons are small bumps underneath the nipples. However, if a girl feels uncomfortable about her breasts, it may still be time to put on a bra - regardless of physical development.
- Usually, when the breasts begin to grow, there is some tenderness or pain. This is normal, nothing to worry about. It is only a sign of the onset of puberty.
- Later, the nipples and areola (circular portion of skin around the nipples) will become darker and larger. Then the breasts will begin to grow further, perhaps with a pointed shape at the beginning.
Step 2. It is good to know the age at which a girl enters puberty on average
Girls start wearing bras around the age of 11. However, some need it as early as 8 years old, while others can do without it up to 14. Each girl is different from the other!
- Sometimes, girls with less developed bodies ask for a bra because their friend is wearing one. In these cases, you could start with a first triangle or bandeau bra.
- You can also start with a tank top to wear under your shirts. In any case, don't check anxiously if you are growing hand in hand with the other girls or not: each one grows at its own pace and that's okay!
Step 3. Identify the signs of puberty
Breast buttons are just one of the many changes that a girl will notice on her body from the onset of puberty onwards.
- Pubic hair may grow. In some girls, the latter may grow even before breast buttons appear.
- In some girls, puberty could lead to weight gain, especially in the belly area, which could round off a bit. This is a sign of the beginning of physical maturity.
- Your first menstruation may also appear, although your period may be irregular in the early stages. These are all normal signs of the transition to adulthood.
Part 2 of 3: Choosing the First Bra
Step 1. Try a triangle or bandeau bra as your first bra
Girls can wear such a bra when the nipples start to grow. These bras are much more comfortable, almost look like tops, and make your nipples less noticeable so you don't feel too uncomfortable.
- The most important thing for a first bra is that it is very comfortable. There is no reason why a girl should have a whimsical or lace bra. This is why triangle or bandeau bras are ideal: they are usually simple, made of stretch cotton and without padding.
- A sports bra is another good idea for gymnastics classes or if you are part of some team. Since sports bras are designed to be flatter in the cup area and because they are very comfortable, they could be an excellent choice as a first bra, even if you don't practice any kind of sport.
Step 2. Choose a bra with a soft pad if your breasts are already developed enough
If you have grown breast tissue and are wearing one or more, now is the time to buy a soft cup bra.
- Measure yourself, or ask your mom to measure you every four weeks, so you know when you need a soft-padded bra. Bras of this type do not push up the breasts or modify their shape, which is why they are suitable for young women. In addition, they are also comfortable.
- Underwire bras are not a wise choice as a first bra; they serve to provide support for girls who have already well developed breasts and, since you have just entered puberty, you probably don't need them.
- If you prefer, you can choose a bra that is a similar color to your skin so that it doesn't show through the shirt. Otherwise, you can buy bras of different colors to match them with different shirts, so they don't stand out (for example, don't wear a black bra under a white shirt, unless you have dark skin).
Step 3. Find out the details about bras
A girl may need to learn things that adult women take for granted.
- For example, a girl may not know that it is not necessary to wear a bra at night. Some bras have padding, which is not needed when a girl has recently entered puberty.
- You can use a bra protector so as not to damage the bra during the washing cycles in the washing machine.
- You can find various lines of bras for girls in malls and lingerie stores.
Part 3 of 3: Learn more about bras sizes
Step 1. Ask your mother or another adult about puberty
For many girls, getting the first bra turns out to be a complex experience. You may be afraid of being made fun of by boys or other girls if you are growing faster (or slower) than the others. Know that your hypersensitivity at this stage is normal. Maybe! Maybe your mother will be the first to face the conversation.
- Ask your mother or another adult for a book on puberty. Tell her what changes you notice in your body. Be open about your emotions. Sometimes guys tease girls about bras. If this has happened to you, don't worry, it's common for it to happen, but tell an adult about it.
- Women are beautiful regardless of the size of their breasts. Girls may worry if they have small or too large breasts, but be aware that there are women with bodies of all shapes and sizes.
- Don't worry if you feel embarrassed. Know that feeling embarrassed is normal at your age.
- If you are the parent of a girl, do not talk about the subject in front of others, friends or siblings.
Step 2. Begin to understand how bra size is calculated
You need to make sure you get the right size so that you are comfortable and receive adequate support.
- In the United States, the size consists of two parts: the chest circumference and the cup size. The chest circumference is represented by an even number, namely 32, 34, 36 and so on. The cup size is given by a letter, ie A, B or C. In other countries, such as the United Kingdom, the cup size may be indicated differently (AA, A, B, C, D, DD, etc).
- A department store clerk will take your measurements or else you can do it yourself at home or you can ask your mother or older sister for a hand. Use a tape measure. To determine your chest circumference, wrap the tape measure under the bust and around the back. Keep it firm, but not too tight. The measurement obtained will be in centimeters. To this number add another 13 cm - this will be the circumference of your chest.
- To measure the cup, wrap the tape measure tightly around the fullest part of the breast. Subtract the chest circumference measurement from this measurement. The result should be a number between 2 and 10 cm. So you will have obtained the cup size.
- Below 2 cm it is an AA cup. 2 cm represent an A, 5 cm a B, 7.5 cm a C and 10 cm a D. If the number is uncertain, always approximate upwards. This is of particular importance for young girls, since they grow so fast that if you round down, the bra will immediately start to go tight and will need to be changed. Girls can be said to be ready for a bra when they have an A.
Step 3. Learn how to wear a bra
Don't worry about having to tell your mom that you have no idea how to put on a bra. Many girls need someone to show them how to do it first, so there's no problem asking.
- To put on the bra, put your arms through the straps and bend forward so that your breasts fall into the cups. Hook the back part with the central hook (bandeau bras and sports bras do not need to be hooked, which makes them ideal as a first bra).
- If needed, adjust the shoulder straps and change the hook closure.
- You could ask your mother to drive you to the mall and have the saleswoman take your measurements there to buy the perfect size bra. Some mothers take the opportunity to spend a fun day "just mother and daughter".
Advice
- If you are a mother, respect your daughter's privacy. She probably won't want it to be known that she is starting to wear bras. If she's the one telling about it, make her feel comfortable.
- Don't feel embarrassed to talk to your mother about it. Remember that she also experienced the same things when she was a girl!
- Remember that not all girls are the same. Don't worry if your development is slower than the others.
- If you want to talk to your mother, take her to yours or her room so that you have more privacy and no one can come and make fun of you for talking about certain topics.
- If you are embarrassed to have to talk to your mother about the subject, leave her a note where only she can find it!
- If you are afraid to talk to your parents about it, leave it alone and talk to your older sister, because she too has been through it: she will make you understand that everything is easier than it seems and will help you to open up to your parents.
- Don't be afraid to tell your experiences or ask people for advice - every single girl in the entire universe has gone through or will go through the same series of changes.
