OT: Age for first bra?

[Ppufi]

I say that if your DD needs one, she needs one. There are plenty of cheap, cute sports bras that will work, or maybe even tank tops with the built-in bras.

 

[fakereadhed]

I got them for my girls, ages 9 and 10 at the time, when we went to a girl scout overnight and they were the only ones embarrassed about changing because they didn't have a sports bra on. Oops! Even if they don't quite need one yet, the half tank top type will work.

 

[kristinw3girls]

I would also check with the Pediatrician She is a little young, and may be having a precocious puberty. It is probably all normal, but at 8yo I would check with the dr. I know how much this is diff. from child to child.

 

[GreyGooseCosmo]

My SD is 9 (and some change). She started to need cami's over the summer, but is getting to the point now where we won't let her out of the house without one. It's obvious that she needs one.

We also gave her "The Care And Keeping Of You" from American Girl. She's been reading it a lot lately.

 

[kldmom2000]

My DD is 8 and an absolute string-bean.... but she has begun sprouting as well.... she's been wearing camis from Justice and Target for now and they hold her in just fine....

FWIW-she had been seeing a pediatric endocrinologist for the past 2.5 yrs because she was "developing" early when she was 6.....we just went last month and she is right on target according to the MD and has been discharged So.... her current development is absolutely normal and age appropriate!

 

[quentina]

My favorite part of the day is taking mine off...Yesterday, my 6 year old said "Mom are you going to take your bra off".

I probably have traumatized her and she will be bra free forever!!

We adopted our daughter and have no idea what her genetics will bring, when it happens and one is needed, we will take care of it.

 

[pantherlj]

My 9 1/2 year old asked me a few months ago when she would have to wear one. Turns out lots of girls in her 4th grade class already are. I told her when she started to develop and/or felt sensitive. Surprise, the next day she said they were sore LOL

I got her a package of these. She really likes them (I got Medium, she is about 55" and 65 pounds).

Kohl's crop bra

I also did some google searching on puberty and found some websites that gave good drawings (not graphic images) of the changes she will be going through so she would know what to expect. She really appreciated seeing the changes.

It is amazing how large some of the chest are of the girls in her class. They tend to be the girls that are a bit larger overall though.

My best friend's 9 yr old could really use one but the mom refuses to believe it's time so won't get her one

 

[tchrrx]

I haven't started shopping for DD8 bras yet, but I do have her wear camis under any silky shirts and under many of her t-shirts.

Have you bought the book The Care & Keeping of Me? It will show your daughter all of the changes that her body will go through in the next few years. I gave it to DD a couple months ago. For the first couple of days she read it non-stop & asked some questions. Now I don't even know where she put it. I'll have to find it so that it's there if she needs it. It opens up communication about things without it seeming like you're nagging her.

 

[fakereadhed]

Have you bought the book The Care & Keeping of Me? It will show your daughter all of the changes that her body will go through in the next few years. I gave it to DD a couple months ago. For the first couple of days she read it non-stop & asked some questions. Now I don't even know where she put it. I'll have to find it so that it's there if she needs it. It opens up communication about things without it seeming like you're nagging her.

It's a great book, but the graphic photos(hello, they're just cartoons)freaked my DH out a little. I think every girl should have a copy!

 

[MissouriPrincess]

My daughter wore sports bras for about two years. She started wearing them when you could see through some of her shirts. She recently began wearing an a-cup. She turned eleven last week. I didn't mind a little padding. It really didn't make her seem any bigger. I have a coworker who doesn't use padded bras, apparently, and it can be distracting if it's chilly.

I also got the American Girls book. She reads it from time to time, and I thought it was a good way to get discussions started. She got her period in August, so it was helpful for that. I had a feeling she could get it sooner than later since I was an "early bloomer.

It is hard to know what to do and when. My daughter had wanted to shave her legs for awhile, and I kept saying she couldn't when she began asking. She was so young. When she got her period, I let her then.

 

[laceemouse]

My teens were 6th grade before they needed one. My oldest is now 17 and could honestly do without one (much to her dismay!) My youngest is 5th grade, very thin, has absolutely no need for a bra and doesn't want one. I teach a 5th grade class at church and maybe ONE girl in there wears a bra (and could do without IMO, she just acts way older than her age!)
I am surprised to read that so many of your girls need them at 9 years of age. Wow!

I also agree that most women, teens and adults, have such big ones these days. I think it is a combination of people being heavier overall, padded and uplifting bras, and the prevalence of plastic surgery. Everyone has cleavage these days!!!!

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

My DD9 has been wearing one for about a year. It is one from Kohls that is basic. I started wearing them in 3rd grade too. I think genetics play a big part in development.

 

[GothTink]

My DD8 is wearing training bras and undershirts. If nothing else, it gets them in the habit of having to wear them every day.

 

[sueh]

My daughter is 8 and she shows signs as well. When she went for her check up I did ask the doctor and he told me that girls don't start to develop until they are 10. He told me that she was overweight.

So I was unconviced so now I have her wear t-shirts under her tops. I have noticed that other girls her age are doing the same thing.
I did buy her a few sports bra types but she doesn't like those.

 

[NotUrsula]

My daughter is 8 and she shows signs as well. When she went for her check up I did ask the doctor and he told me that girls don't start to develop until they are 10. He told me that she was overweight.

Well, while she might be overweight, your doctor was being reckless with that "not until age 10" remark. That is pretty much the average, but it's not a hard and fast rule. Medical literature defines "precocious puberty" (that is, unnaturally early onset of puberty that may be caused by a medical problem) as onset of menstruation before age 8. After age 8 it is within the norms.

Here's an article from the Mayo Clinic on the subject of precocious puberty: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/precocious-puberty/DS00883

 

[dementia412]

You need a new doctor. Sure your dd might be overweight, but first that doesn't mean she doesn't need a bra and second there is no magic age that is acceptable to grow breasts. What a moron, please think about at least looking for a different doctor. I was fat and didn't get them until I was around 11, my dd who is thick but not fat has them at 9.

 

[dawnn12]

my dd is 10 now and has been wearing a bra for two years now(she was 7 1/2) at first it was the flat sports bra material and for x-mas i actually bought her a alil padded one i knew she going to need one early( i did ) but i would of never thought this early (they have some flat sport ones at walmart and target for $9 for 3 of them )

 

[pixiemama3]

We have had the same talk alot lately there is a few shirt s that well you get the point. well we decided to go with tank tops regular or with the lining. She has had some since she was like 4 the underroo type sports bras the ones wiht the matching panties. (dhs sister bought them for her and she fell inlove with them) We have had talks about her growing there and about other female things. I was a C cup by 4th grade and had my first period just before my 9th birthday so i wanted her prepaired so she didnt get scared if she noticed somehthing.