It’s not your imagination. Your little girl is growing up faster than you ever imagined. Kids today are physically maturing at younger ages than ever before! Measurable breast development can start in girls as young as 8 years old.

The first bra-buying experience can be as emotional for moms and dads as it is for the girl. Plus, add in all the various choices in training bras along with the awkwardness of change, this can be pretty daunting for the tweens and for you!

To help you make the experience as pleasant as possible, here are our tips and tricks for the first bra shopping expedition.

Signs your tween needs a Bra:

Is your daughter starting to develop and needs support and coverage? Breast buds, or small lumps under the nipples, are the beginning stages of breast development. This usually happens when a girl is first approaching puberty and is probably the first sign of growth.

It is also common for girls to develop later, and only need a bra at 14 years old. The average age to start wearing a bra is 11 years old, but each girl’s experience will be different and unique. You will just need to keep a lookout for signs and be willing to lend an ear when your little one wants to talk.

The First Training Bra:

The main purpose of a training bra is to offer comfort and coverage during growth. It typically has a pullover style without an underwire, padding or hooks. The simplest and most comfortable, these bras are made of a stretchable cotton fabric that moves to accommodate the changing shape and size.

Introducing other types of Bras:

The second best category of comfortable bras is sports bras. The thicker fabric and wider straps offer great support, especially during your daughter’s hyperactive formative years.

Now, we understand padding is a controversial topic here. Unless you are shopping for a woman’s bra, you probably won’t come across padding per se. Most first bras have foam shaping that offers coverage but not bulk.

So, it’s actually better if you go for light padding as they can shape better and provide more support. Wires, however, are a strict no-no!

With these tips in mind, shop for your tween daughter today!