Breast Buds: Everything You Need To Know

BREAST BUDS

#askvicki , #breastbuds

Developing breast buds is one of the first signs of puberty and a lot of girls find this part of growing up awkward and confusing. To help you learn everything there is to know about budding boobs, we’ve put together a few facts that will make everything feel clearer and more normal.

Every girl develops breast buds at different times to her friends. Some girls notice breasts starting to grow as early as seven years old, and for others, it can be in the later part of her teenage years.

Breast buds are the first indication that something is going on in this area…but what is a breast bud? Breast development, or to give it its technical name ‘thelarche’, starts with a small lump being noticed under the skin and behind the nipple about the size of a ten pence piece.
A breast bud can feel quite hard to the touch and is often tender or sore.
Budding boobs are made of tissue, milk glands and fat.
The nipple and areola (that coloured ring surrounding the nipple) may start to protrude and even look a little swollen as the bud starts to grow. Breast buds can feel itchy during this time as the skin starts to stretch and grow.
Breast buds don’t always develop at the same time and lots of girls can mistakenly think this lump is something more serious because it has only happened in one breast. This is not something to worry about. It can take up to six months for the other breast to start developing and this is completely normal.
Budding boobs don’t need support during this time, so there is no need to wear a bra. But if you experience tenderness, you may find a soft cup bra or crop top helpful.
Breast buds are not replaced by anything else, nor do they disappear. They simply continue to grow into the breast shape we all recognise.

For more help and information, check out our boobs and bras advice blog

NEXT BLOG

Add your Comment

YOUR NICKNAME:

YOUR COMMENT:

CHOOSE YOUR AVATAR:

ARE YOU HUMAN:

Comments

Conzie

I'm almost 16 and I get worried that the lumps aren't breast buds, and I have breast cancer. Don't anyone be afraid, talk to someone you trust and seek medical attention if you are concerned xx

mak

My breasts just started busing and im 11.

Scared Girl

So I’ve already developed breast buds for months now, and I have tried to give my mom a hint that I need a bra by wearing tank tops around the house but it just doesn’t work. Now I’m scared that if I ask my mom, she’ll react badly and say that I don’t have breasts yet because I only have breast buds. My mom was a late bloomer, and she thought I would be the same too. What should I do? I know that my mom probably went through breast buds too, but she doesn’t seem to care that I have these bumps poking through my shirt. At school I’m very insecure, and usually wear layers so my breast buds don’t show. Tank tops are making me really sweaty, and that’s why I don’t wear them. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Vanessa

How do I know what bra size am I?

Vanessa

Any advice of getting bigger boobs?

Trixie

Thank you so much! My breasts are getting big and i am only 12! 😍

anonymous

Reading this is making me very nervous. I love my chest and don't want it to transform into boobs. I'm afraid my beautiful chest and nipples will turn into ugly fat boobs. How can I overcome this attachment of my flat, 10 yr old chest?

ASK VICKI

If you have a question about periods, changes to your body or how you're feeling and can’t find the answer on here, ask Vicki for some advice. Just type in your question and press submit.

SUBMIT QUESTION

If Vicki can help you, she'll post an answer in the ‘Your questions answered’ page, so don't forget to keep checking it
(and the best thing is nobody will ever know it was you that asked!)