How to Know When You’re Ready to Wear a Bra

Owning the first bra is a big deal for any little girl. You may feel excited, or embarrassed, or both. That’s very common and you shouldn’t worry. There are ways to know when you need to wear a bra, but it’s important to remember that girls are all different, and you may grow at a different rate than your friends. That is completely normal!

Table of Contents

Know the signs when breasts are growing

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/f/f4/Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-1.jpg/v4-728px- Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-1.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/f4/Know-when- You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-1.jpg/v4-728px-Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-1.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Notice the budding breasts. If you see any buds on your breasts, that’s when you need to go shopping for your first bra. Breast buds are small lumps that appear below the nipple. However, if a little girl starts to feel shy about her breasts, it may be time to wear a bra – regardless of her body development at the time.

You will notice tender or tender breasts as they begin to develop. This is very normal and nothing to worry about. It just means you are starting to grow up. ^{[1] X Research Source}
Next, the nipple and areola will become larger and darker in color. After that, the breasts will begin to grow larger.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/ef/Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-2.jpg/v4-728px- Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/ef/Know-when- You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-2.jpg/v4-728px-Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Understand the average age of puberty for girls. The average age a girl starts wearing a bra is 11 years old. Some girls may need to wear a bra from age 8, and others don’t need to wear a bra until age 14.

Sometimes, girls whose bodies have not really developed will want to wear bras when they see their friends wearing them. At this time, a sports bra will be a suitable choice. ^{[2] X Research Source}
You can also wear a halter top underneath your top. Either way, you shouldn’t stress about not being as flamboyant as other girls. Everyone grows at a different rate and that is completely normal.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/f/f2/Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-3.jpg/v4-728px- Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/f2/Know-when- You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-3.jpg/v4-728px-Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Recognize the signs of puberty. Breast buds are just one of many changes girls experience as puberty begins.

Pubic hair begins to appear. In some girls, pubic hair may even appear before breast buds appear. ^{[3] X Trusted Source HealthyChildren.org Go to Source}
Puberty can cause girls to gain weight, especially in the abdominal area. The abdomen may become rounder. This is a natural sign that a girl’s body has begun to mature.
Menstruation may also appear, even though it may not be regular at first. These are all normal signs of puberty.

Choose your first bra

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/7/72/Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-4.jpg/v4-728px- Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-4.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/72/Know-when- You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-4.jpg/v4-728px-Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-4.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Try on a sports bra first. Girls can wear sports bras/sleeveless bras as their breasts begin to develop. These bras are more comfortable and look almost like a tank top, so you’ll feel less embarrassed.

The first bra should feel comfortable. There’s no reason for a little girl to wear fancy or fancy bras. Sports bras usually have a simple design, stretch well, and have no bust. ^{[4] X Research Sources}
Sports bras are also a good choice when exercising or joining a sports team. With a chest-free and comfortable design, they’ll be perfect for your first bra, even if you don’t play sports.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/f/f2/Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-5.jpg/v4-728px- Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-5.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/f2/Know-when- You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-5.jpg/v4-728px-Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-5.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Choose a soft-breasted bra if your bust is larger. If breast tissue has grown below the breast buds, and if your measurements fit an A-cup or higher, it’s time to buy a soft bra. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Measure yourself or ask your mom for help every 4 weeks to know when to buy a soft bra. They don’t have breast implants or other accessories to change the shape of the breasts, so they are suitable for young girls and are comfortable.
Underwire bras are also not suitable for making the first bra; they will be more supportive for girls with large breasts, but since you’ve just started puberty you won’t need this type of top. ^{[6] X Research Sources}
If you want, you can choose a bra that has a similar color to your skin tone so that it doesn’t show through the outer layer. Bras in different colors can make it easier to match your tops, so they won’t be visible (for example, you shouldn’t wear a black bra with a white top, unless your skin tone isn’t clear). you are so). ^{[7] X Research Sources}

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/5c/Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-6.jpg/v4-728px- Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-6.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/5c/Know-when- You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-6.jpg/v4-728px-Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Learn about bra characteristics and variety. Young girls may have to learn about things older women take for granted.

For example, you may need to know that you don’t need to wear a bra to bed. Some bras come with foam and some don’t, and foam will not be necessary for a teenage girl. ^{[8] X Research Sources}
You can use a laundry bag to protect your bra from damage when washing it in the washing machine.
You can find a line of teen bras at many retailers and in a variety of brands. This could be a good choice. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Learn more about bra sizes

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/b/bf/Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-7.jpg/v4-728px- Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-7.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/bf/Know-when- You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-7.jpg/v4-728px-Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-7.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Ask your mother or another adult about puberty. For many girls, buying their first bra is a complicated experience. Understand that these feelings of embarrassment are normal. Who knows, maybe it’s the mother who brings up the problem first? ^{[10] X Research Source}

Ask your mother or another adult about sex education books. Explain to your mother what is going on with your body. Be open about your feelings. Sometimes, boys will tease girls about wearing bras. If you encounter this problem, don’t worry because it’s common. However, you should still tell an adult. ^{[11] X Research Source}
Realize that women are always beautiful, regardless of breast size. Girls may be worried when their breasts are small, or teased if they have large breasts. You should know that every girl has a different body shape. ^{[12] X Research Source}
Don’t worry if you feel embarrassed. If you feel embarrassed, it’s normal at this age.
If you have a daughter, don’t mention this to her friends or siblings in front of her.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/d1/Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-8.jpg/v4-728px- Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-8.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/d1/Know-when- You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-8.jpg/v4-728px-Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-8.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Understand how to determine your bra size . You need to make sure you choose the right size to feel comfortable and your breasts are properly supported.

In the US, bra sizes are divided into two parts: bust measurement and bust measurement. Bust is an even number, for example 32, 34, 36, and so on. Breast measurements are expressed in letters, like A, B or C. In other countries like the UK, bra sizes may vary (like AA, A, B, C, D, DD…) ^{[13 ] X Research Source}
The salesperson at the lingerie store will measure your bra size for you, or you can measure it yourself at home or ask your mother or sister to help. Use a tape measure to measure. To determine your bust measurement, wrap a tape measure around your body, right at the base of your bust. Hold firmly but not too tight. Measurements will be in centimeters or inches. Add another 12cm or 5 inches. That is the bust measurement. ^{[14] X Research Source}
For breasts, you need to wrap the tape measure around your chest at the highest point of the chest. Subtract that number from your bust measurement. Results will fall between 1 and 4 inches (or 2 to 10 centimeters). This is how you determine your bust measurement.
If the number is less than 1 inch (2cm) then the bust size will be AA, 1 inch (2cm) is A, 2 inches (5cm) is B, 3 inches (7cm) is C, and 4 inches (10cm) is D If the result is odd, round up to the next even number. This is especially important for girls. Girls grow up really fast, so if you round down, there’s a chance the bra won’t fit. Usually, teenage girls are able to wear a bra when their bust measurement is A. ^{[15] X Research Source}

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/82/Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-9.jpg/v4-728px- Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-9.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/82/Know-when- You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-9.jpg/v4-728px-Know-when-You%27re-Ready-for-a-Bra-Step-9.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Learn how to wear a bra. Don’t be afraid to tell your mom that you don’t know how to wear a bra. Many girls need to be taught how, and asking questions is a good thing.

To put on a bra, slip your hands through the bra straps and bend forward so that your breasts fit inside the bra. Fasten the belt where the hook is (sport bras don’t need to be fastened, so they’re great for making a girl’s first bra).
Adjust the straps if necessary, and re-fasten the straps to a different size to change the size.
You can ask your mother to take you to the lingerie store for advice and size measurement. ^{[16] X Research Source} Some moms even turn this into a fun mother-daughter activity.

Advice

If you are a mother, keep your daughter’s privacy. Maybe she didn’t want anyone to know she was wearing a bra. If she tells someone, just treat it like it’s no big deal.
Don’t feel embarrassed talking to your mom about this. Remember that the other day, my mother went through this too.
Remember that every girl is different. Don’t worry if you are not as popular as other girls.
If you’re afraid to tell your mom about this, leave a message in the “only mommy” place.
If you are going to talk to your mother about this, you can go into your room or her room for privacy, no one can tease you when you bring up this sensitive topic.
If you are afraid to tell your parents, then tell *sister* because she has been through it and will make you feel more secure, she also helps you tell your parents.
Don’t be afraid to tell others or ask for advice – every teenage girl in the world has/will go through the same changes as you.

Steps

Know the signs when breasts are growing

Choose your first bra

Learn more about bra sizes

Advice

Related Posts