Last summer when I took my 9-year-old daughter to her annual check up, the pediatrician told me that she was starting to develop. I've noticed the changes have started and she is growing breasts. One day last week she told me they hurt. She's still so young, but I think it may be time for her to get a training bra. Is 9 too young, she'll be 10 in May, but still... What do you suggest? Is it too early, or should I get her the bra?
Thank you everyone for your quick responses! I talked to Destiney about the whole thing, and she got really excited about shopping for a bra. I also asked her if her armpits itched, and she said that they do, and sometimes at school, she scratches them and the other kids say "ILLLL". So, I had planned to take her this week to get one, since there is no school. She asked me everyday last week to take her, so finally Thursday afternoon, I took her. I told her she could pick the place we went, and she chose Target. So, we went there, and she tried on 2 different styles of bras. She really liked these little colored ones with under wire and padding on them, but I told her that I thought the other "sport" type would be more comfortable. So we went into the ladies fitting room and tried them on. The style she liked fit her well, and the sports one seemed to hang off of her. She told me she liked the padded style better because they have "protectors" on them. LOL that was cute. We also shopped for some Teen Spirit, and she chose the strawberry scent. I had spoke to her in the past about becoming a woman, and periods. She went into the bathroom with me one time when I had mine, and asked about a million questions, so she does know about it. I told her that someday she will have hers, and it's part of being a woman. I always emphasize with my daughter to come to me whenever she has questions, or something is bothering her. My mom never did that, and I had her when I was 17. My fiancé and I tell her all the time, to finish college before she worries about getting married, and having kids. She sticks to her guns about adopting anyhow, I think seeing my incision from Selena frightened her from getting pregnant.
Once a girl has breasts, a bra is a good idea, especially when the girl is exercising and playing sports. Bras can protect breast tissue and keep the breasts supported. Some girls may also like that bras smooth out their silhouettes and make them feel more comfortable. A bra can make a girl feel less exposed when she's wearing a light shirt, such as a T-shirt
it is completely normal i know it seems they grow up too fast but kids at school will pick on her if you don't get her the bra and she will most likely feel self conscious. i got my 1st bra at 9 and started having to shave at teen. they do call it pre-teens for a good reason. good luck and tell her daily how beautiful she is which i have no doubt you do now.
I was 10 and in 5th grade when I got my first bra. It was a real bra, we didn't have to "train" anything, lol! My first bra was a 32B, then I think within a year I was a 34B. I also got my period for the first time at exactly 11 3/4 years old. It was a full, regular period and I have not missed one since except being pregnant. I was fully grown by age 14. It can be very embarrassing being the first or one of them. I used to wear undershirts over my bras so they wouldn't show and I slouched a lot. Write me if you want if she has issues with this. (P.S. -Crucial time for Dad or healthy male figure to give positive reinforcement so she keeps her self-esteem and doesn't seek it from teenage boys.)
My 24 year old, on the other side of the spectrum, didn't need a bra until about 14 and 8th grade, even now wears a 34A (but she's tiny 5' and 95 lbs.) and didn't get her period until 15. Also can be embarrassing. I sewed shoulder pads in her bras in 9th so she'd stop thinking about boobs and get back to grades and studying. It did work, believe it or not.
I have known asian young ladies who have developed from about age 8 and up. Now that's rough!
Hope this helps :-)
D.
Some of us girls develope VERY early. I, myself, did everything early. I started my period, got my first bra (not training either) and got my first set of glasses at the age of 9! My mom did not tell me what periods were till we were watching "Blue Lagoon" and Brooke Shields was screaming in that pool area when she started her period. Not even two months after that I started mine. If your daughter is developing early you should give her all the info. you can and have a question and answer session with her about what is going on and what else will happen. I basically went into womanhood blind because my mom was not one to divulge too much, even when asked. She only told me about periods because of the movie. I feel for what she is going through. She should also be made aware of what the other kids will say/do because of her overly developed status. Kids are mean and say and do some hurtful things. Make a day of "just women" for shopping for new bra's and things, and maybe take her out to lunch too. Help her be comfortable with her new body. I'm sorry, I know I'm ranting but I know what I went through at 9. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
Puberty happens when it happens. Is her development visible to others when she's got clothes on? If it is, then a bra is an appropriate step. If she's worn undershirts or tank tops, a sports bra style may be a more comfortable transition for her.
Talk to her, and ask if she's comfortable with wearing one, and hopefully she'll feel she's ready. This is a big step, it's part of the transition to becoming a woman, and should be celebrated. Make an event of bra shopping, go some place "grownup" for lunch, maybe take her to get her nails polished at your salon. This is the perfect time for you to set the tone for how she feels about her body changing, and making it something special will help her to feel good about it.
Oh, and another little change that always seems to go with this one: antiperspirant/deoderant. Hormone production that leads to the onset of puberty also leads to the onset of odor. Get her to start wearing a deoderant BEFORE someone notices or complains that she needs one. That is very embarassing, and happened to me in elem school. My Mom thought I was too young, and didn't let me wear it, but I really needed it. It wasn't until my teacher called and said something to her that she changed her mind. Of course, she told me the teacher called, and told her I smelled, so now I needed to use this new stuff. I was humiliated, didn't want to have to go back to school, and felt generally miserable about the whole thing. A nice, teen formula with a baby powder scent would be a good thing for her to start incorporating into her daily grooming routine, and too early is WAAY better than too late.
Jess
My sister in law had her first bra at ten and her first period started about three weeks after she bought her first bra. Her mother didn't have the talk about how her body was going to change when she bought the bra. So needless to say she was horified when her monthly showed up because even though from TV she kind of knew what a period was we all know having one is different. So make sure you talk to her so she understands.
Hopefully this will not be a problem for you in the future but my 16 year old sister in law wears a size 38dd. We have found a cute little store in ebay that sells bras for bigger chested people that don't look like they belong on a ninety year old. I know this is probably alot for you to deal with so if you need to talk leave me a message. Even though I am only 25 I have been through this once. I was dating my husband (he's about 9 years older than his sister) when this happened she went to him because she thought something was wrong and he was babysitting. So I had to explain what was happening and how to use a pad because her mom was working.
So I've been there maybe I can help.
No, it is not too early for her to get a bra. Her body is maturing and she needs one to help support her breasts development. Being a mom, I know that it is so hard to let go but we have to.....Wow - this seems like nothing to me as my daughter started to grow up at the age of 8 years old. My daughter seems to have advance even quicker than I did at 11 years old. I thought I would die when she was 11 years old and started her menustration. I was in denial....I could not believe it. When I took her to the doctor she had told me that girls as young as 9 years old were getting their menustration. Girls these days are just maturing too, too fast. We as mothers just need to make sure that they know what to do, how to take care of themselves and also to know that they need to make responsible and good choices. Keep your head up and Good Luck!
i know how you feel. i just went through that with my daughter about the same time. she is now 10 1/2 and i have to buy her actual sizes. some of these are girls are maturing faster. what i bought my daughter when this started happening was undershirts and training bras and i tried to kep them as simple and easy to hide as possible. they even make convertible training bras so that the girls can wear them in the summer without being embarrassed. the best thing is not to let her se you worry or upset by it and that it is natural so that she doesnt feel more insecure then she might already. good luck and stay strong.
Wow I could have written this myself 3 months ago! All of a sudden out of nowhere she started smelling like onions all the time. I thought well maybe when there's onion in the food it's coming out of her poors. Never even realized duh that's a sign of the start of puberty! So I took her to the store to let her pick out deoderant and she picked out the Teen Spirit strawberry. I think she picked it because it came with a free lip smackers...lol!
Then later that week she needed help putting on a dress...she was in the room with no top on. That was rare since she started screaming,"Knock first please!" That was a huge sign that went by the wayside as well. I noticed she was developing on the one side....so I decided it was time for a trianing bra. She picked out a bunch of sport type ones. They definatly will be temporary. They are basically half under shirts that are bright in colors and have sayings and diamonds on them. She isnt too far along yet so when she is we will get a more bra like type of one..... she is turning 10 in May as well. My time sure has been flying....I definatly ahev to have the period talk with her soon. I plan on putting together a little pack of items in a shoe box...definatly adding hershey kisses to it...lol!
I have 2 girls, one is 14 the other is 10. I naver made it into a big deal because my mom DID and it embarrassed me and made me very self-conscious in a bad way.
They make cute little girl bras nowadays, very often in sets with little underwear.
My oldest daughter wanted those sets long, long before she needed them and I let her get them. She wore the bras like twice; BUT it gave her the comfort of being able to ask me for bigger ones once she DID need a bra. Now those little ones have been passed on to the younger girl.
She's wearing a bra just because her friends are, she doesn't really need one yet. But when she does there won't be any embarrassment of adding some new piece of equipment to her wardrobe.
Don't fight it, enjoy it. She's still your little girl!
They say that girls are developing so muhc more quickly nowadays because of better nutrition AND hormones in milk and our meat. could be.
If she's developing now, then no, she's not too young for a training bra. Puberty can start anywhere between 9 and 14 yrs old. She is on the young end, but not so young that it's a concern. If you had posted that she was 5 yrs old and developing breasts, I'd be concerned.
Take it from me a woman who developed breast very early, at about 8 going on 9, My mom waited to get me a training bra, because she felt I was too young. Get her a little sports bra/training bra top. In the long run it will be helpful, and may prevent backaches if she is going to be top heavy.
My sister began menstrating at 9. If your daughter is ready now, then she's ready now. You can't stop it and you can't pretend that it isn't happening. The best person to ask if your daughter needs a bra is your daughter. Talk to her about it, tell her why you think she might be needing one, ask questions and take her out shopping for one. If she isn't ready for that big step just yet, tell her that you'll ask her again in the next month/2 months or whatever time frame you're comfortable with.
Children these ay are going through puberty earlier. So yes buy her a pretty bra and panty set.
First you need to remember that every child develops differently. If your daughter is uncomfortable than it is probably time for her to get some support through a training bra. At the same time you need to talk to her about her changing body, puberty etc. There are a ton of great resources out there. I suggest contacting your local family planning agency. They oftern have great resources for talking to your kids about puberty, sex, etc. in an age appropriate way. I know it is scary to think about talking with your 9 year old about these things, but it will be helpful in the end.
R... 9 is not to young, now a days girls get their period at that age! Its sad to say it.. but its true. My 9 year old hasn't even begun to develop yet, and I have been wondering. Meanwhile some of her friends have.. I think it depends on the genetics. In any event, if you need to get her a training bra, make it a comfortable one, maybe something like a sport bra, this way she doesn't feel funny about wear a "bra". Good Luck...
So your kids are 9 & 10? i got my 10 yr old in a bra they sell them in kids section in store
No, it is not to early to have a bra. My daughter got one at the same age, unfortunately she also started her period not to long after. Something else for you to look out for and to talk to her about. It seems to young for that, but the more they know the better she will handle the changes.
When my daughter started to develop I bought her some athletic bras from Gap Body - it was a nice beginning.
And, breasts can be tender when they are developing.
Good luck with your growing girl!
~L.
I think its better for her to start wearing one now "before" she needs it, than later when you realize "oh wow- she should be wearing a bra". its a good way to get her into the habit.
Just by getting her a bra doesn't mean she has to grow up. If she needs it, than she needs it. There isn't anything you can do to stop it. What is causing this is the added hormones in milk. So that is why you see all these young girls getting their period younger, getting pregnant younger, and developing younger. I don't want to scare you but do what you have to, to help her out. It might get embarassing if she gets too big and doesn't wear the bra. After all its just a bra.
L. S
My sisters daughter started to develope at the age of 9 as well....she also started growing hair under her arm pits and on her private areas as well...you shoudlnt be concerned and it might be a good idea to have her start wearing a traning bra and just a suggestion as well you might want to start talking to her about her body changing. My sisters daughter started her period at 10 1/2 years old. Good luck!
Hi R.,
Unfortunately with all of the chemicals we are adding to our livstock and then ingesting, mother nature is bound to take her course sooner or later.. it may not be a bad idea for a training bra but it also might not be a bad idea to tell her the basics of what is going on with her body.. breast tenderness may be the begining of signs that she may be getting her monthly visit from aunt flo... I was her age when I started getting my period and that was a long time ago and now girls are maturing so much earlier and drs believe it deffinetly has to do with what they are eating particularly poultry. Now this does not mean that she should be any means stop eating it,, it is just something we must adapt and overcome.. Hope everything goes ok let us know how everything turns out. Feel free to email me.
T.
