8 Year Old Needing a Bra!?

Updated on March 17, 2015
E.M. asks from Louisville, KY
17 answers

Just curious if any mom mad out there have had to buy bras for their girls this young? Her sister is a stick and she's a normal size 8 year old. I'm a bit worried about it. Thoughts? How do I know if it's breasts or just baby fat??

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thanks mommas! I think it's just baby fat but she does have some bras bc she had an 11 year old sister so of course she has to have what her big sister has. She goes some days with wanting a bra and others not, we will work on it. :)

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

Doesn't really matter if it's breasts or just baby fat. If she's self conscious about it, get the child a bra.

9 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.E.

answers from Denver on

I needed one at age 8. I didn't have one and it wasn't good.
The cotton stretch bra-lettes are probably good for this age. You can get them in a 3-pack at target.

5 moms found this helpful

More Answers

~.~.

answers from Dallas on

I was chubby as a child and developed early....so I was wearing bras daily at age 9 for sure. Depending on the shirt, I was wearing them before that. If she needs them, get them. It's embarrassing to have kids your own age making fun of you for not wearing a bra.

6 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.T.

answers from Rochester on

I have third grade students (ages 8-9) who are already wearing training bras. Check out the Yellowberry website. They have great age appropriate bras designed by a young woman.

5 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

I started wearing bras at 8 and my daughter is in a bra. My daughter is normal size but is in early puberty, confirmed by her doctor. The only thing you can do is buy her a bra. It doesn't matter if they are breasts or baby fat. If they are poking out then she needs a bra. I didn't want my daughter in a bra this early but nature had other plans. Good luck!!

4 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

whatever age she is, and whether it's fat or breasts (what are breasts if not fat?), if they're prominent and visible, why not just get her a little bra?
what does she want to do?
khairete
S.

4 moms found this helpful

J.P.

answers from Lakeland on

My 8 year old has started wearing tank tops, some have a built in bra type and some don't. She is a little chubby so either way she needs them. Her friends are wearing them too and I figure it is a better way to get used to having to wear something.

At this age I would opt for more of a sports bra or a tank top/under shirt.

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.B.

answers from Beaumont on

I think it is "normal" now. I've been hearing of girls starting their periods at 9 so I'm not surprised. They are maturing much earlier now.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

My 9 year old started wearing a bra at age 8. If you can see them poking through the shirt, put a bra on.

No one was mad other than her friend who wasn't ready for one.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.K.

answers from Appleton on

Very possible she does need a bra. I can't see her so I can't evaluate her further. However my two oldest grandchildren started their periods at 91/2 and 10 yrs of age. Is she showing any other signs of puberty?

You could call her ped's office and talk to a nurse. She may want to schedule an appointment for an evaluation.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Chicago on

At this age I would get her those cammisole tanks that have built in bras.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

It is unusual, but not unheard of. You may want to talk to the pediatrician about precocious puberty, especially if people in your family do not develop this early, typically.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Albuquerque on

You'll know they are breast buds because they are hard and they are painful.

My daughter started developing at age 8. I tried not to freak out because that happening was so not on my radar at that age. My daughter is stick thin with very little body fat, so her development was very noticible. She absolutely hated the tank tops with the built in bra shelf, so we got her a few "sport bra" type bras at Kohls and Target. She doesn't wear them every day, but for gym classes and her martial arts classes I make sure she has one on. She is now 10, and while she technically could get away with not wearing them, I want to protect her from her shirt flying up, or worse if a kids grabs and yanks. The best thing we did was let her pick out a few on her own.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

My granddaughter who is 10 now, started wearing a bra at age 8 - she also started her period at age 8! Her older sister did not wear a bra until she was 11 and just started her period when she was 12! Everyone's different!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.O.

answers from Atlanta on

I started wearing bras at 7/second grade. By 4th grade (9), I was a very full B. It just went up from there.

2 moms found this helpful

P.L.

answers from Washington DC on

Agree with Fuzzy.Get her bras.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.P.

answers from Portland on

I suggest that if you are unable to tell whether or not it's baby fat and she's chubby it's likely it's baby fat. My 11 yo grandson was worried he was developing breasts. The pediatrician pushed firmly around the nipple. She said his breasts are not like a girl's because his are soft.

I suggest now is a good time to take her to the pediatrician for a conversation about her changing body.

Above all do not show anxiety to her. I'm not saying you are anxious. A developing body often is stressful enough. if she is asking for a bra she may be anxious to know about her body. There are several good books addressing this issue that you can read with her.

My daughter was chunky. The way I knew she was developing breasts was seeing her breasts to have definition. When she just had body fat the breasts were mounded but in a flattened kind of way. I'm not describing this well. Developing breasts have buds which is an area that is more firm.

1 mom found this helpful
For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions