Padded bras for younger girls

Not sure if there is a similar thread about this or not.

I have come to realize that one of my almost 11 yr olds (twin girls) needs a bra. Having to get her her first bra is not an easy thing for me to do. It means she's growing up. We've already started the shaving of legs & arm pits. She is the one who asked for the bra.

My main problem/concern is: padded bras for little girls. Let them be little girls for as long as they can. I can totally see it in the juniors section, not in the "kids" section.When I went to see what they had (she wasn't with me), I saw that they had under wire, padded, triangle, and a FEW sports type bras. I don't know if its just me or what, I don't think little girls should be wearing padded bras. I told her that I want her to wear a sports bra style bra. After seeing one that I had. She said that was the kind she wanted. I just don't get it, why would you want your little girl to look older than she is and push her into being an "adult" before she is ready.

This might be more of vent than anything. I would like feed back from other mothers. Am I just being over protective and naive?

A sports bra could make her feel flat chested and embarrassed even, but she doesn't have much to fill out to begin with, (which I'm guessing is the case at 11.) Would you let her wear a micro mini skirt or a cleavage showing shirt at 11?? I think a padded Bra is kinda on the same page of trying to dress in a more sexual way at too young of an age. She doesn't need anyone looking at those things, so no need to make them look bigger. I'd search more places for bras. I'm sure if you look hard enough, you can find one that's cute enough for her, and age appropriate. If all else fails, check online

I agree with you. I really don't see why anybody would want to accentuate an 11y.o body, for WHO exactly to look at? My daughter's turning 9 this year. I'm dreading the pubescant (sp) developmental stage... It scares me.

Thanks for your feedback. She is actually embarrassed about having "buds" (I think that's the right term). I think she'd rather be flat chested like her sister. She is very conservative. She doesn't like 2 pieces (swimming suits) they make her uncomfortable. Both girls will come out of their room, lifted their arms up & say "I can see my tummy. I need a tank top" and head back to their room to either put on a tank top or a different shirt. With skirts, they'll be like this skirt has shorts built into it or can you get me a pair of shorts to wear under this skirt or I need leggings. We've tried hard to instill in them that girls at their age don't need to be showing a lot of skin. They'll even say to me "mom, I can see your tummy you need a tank top to wear under it or a different shirt" (so cute)

Coming from a man so take it for what is worth……..But my wife has padded bras to conceal her nipples being hard. I don’t know if that is a problem for an 11 year old, but just something to think about.

I have 2 daughters 10 and 14 so I've been through this with my oldest and will be going soon with the 10 yr old. First time bra shopping was hell since my daughter hated the feeling of the bra plus she felt embarrassed etc. I went to my local department store and they had beginner bras. It then progressed to an underwire not padded one and now she wears a slightly padded one at the age of 14. I like the underwire because it stays in place and she has an exercise one for that purpose. The exercise ones do flatten and when she starts to accept she has a chest, she may want one that gives more shape. When my 14 yr had her 1st bras, they weren't underwire and kept rising up on her. I agree you don't want to get a full padded bra at this age and have her try on several styles...ask her to choose which one is comfortable for her.

The only reason I wear a padded bra is there is more support in padded bras. You said your daughter's like undershirts maybe cami's with built in bras as undershirts will make her more comfy with puberty.

this was my thought also, some lining might be helpful. some brands now make a "no-show". also try looking online to get a better idea of what is possible, like at branecessities.com

My daughter is 9 and already wants (but does NOT need) a bra. She's not getting one. I think padded bras for little girls are rediculous. We do NOT need to sexualize our little girls, it happens fast enough on its own.

I heartily disagree that 11 year old's should be wearing padded bra. The other day, my 11 year old stepdaughter visited with noticeably larger breasts. I asked if she was wearing a padded bra and she said yes, her Granny (my mother-in-law) had bought it for her. I was shocked!!!! I mentioned it to hubby who made mention of it to his Mom but it was like water off a ducks back. Same as make-up. My stepdaughter keeps wearing loads of make up for photo shoots and then poses provocatively. Her mother encourages it. I just can't stand it.

I think they wear them for the "beauty" pageants and even the French are complaining!

http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news...tle-girls?lite

I just want her to be comfortable. She feels so awkward and out of place. In my opinion sports bra type bras have enough "padding" in them for an almost 11 yr old. As for the make up, don't think I'll need to worry about that with this daughter for awhile. She is a tomboy through and through. It's her twin that worries be about the make up, she's the girlie girl type.

Kids shouldn't wear padded bra's or make up. My step daughter is 10 and has a underwire bra which I think is just crazy

I got my first set of bras around age ten. They were the sports kind and I loved them (they had the disney princess' on them; shows my maturity level at the time). I think those are perfect to start out with. If your daughter wants padded ones I don't think that's necessarily wrong, but I do think you would need to have a sit down with her and find out why she wants them.

I personally agree with the help of hiding embarassing sights from under the t-shirt and also a padded can help provide more comfort when the chest is tender due to development. We sexualize items more than the kids do. I have a degree in sociology and we studied Gender Issues, including the sexualization of female clothing. Communication is the best way to fight this. However, what matters in this case is what feels most comfortable, physically on her, regardless of what WE as adults THINK it is about. The child needs a garment to help her feel comfortable as she develops. This should be a celebratory moment to bond as a mother and daughter. Relate to her about when you got your first one. Advise her of the struggles she can face in finding the right one....it is not easy because we are all different. Once the garment is decided upon, that you both agree with, treat her to something. Don't teach her to fear life's progress...teach her to evaluate what is needed and be proud of decisions made. It helps promote self esteem in youth when this stage of life can be so full of peer pressure and uncertainty. She should develop a sense of confidence, with your guidance, in making the right decisions in life without fear or feeling shame or embarassment.

We have found some. Its kind of like a sports bra, she didn't like the racer-back look. She also liked the idea of the cami's with the built in bras. So we got a couple of those too. I did ask her if she wanted padded and she said no. I think the cami's add some padding and help. It's a process. Thanks for all your input.

I have a 12 year old stepdaughter who only sees her mom in the summer. She came home last year with a padded bra. She didn't wear it for a while because I told her she didn't have the boobs to fit in it. It was too big, plus she's so skinny.She likes to wear camis under her t-shirts, but sometimes will wear a triangle style bra without padding. I, too, think a padded bra is ridiculous for a young girl. She recently started wearing the padded bra, and you can tell for sure. Yes, my stepdaughter's mom does things I don't approve of either. She wears make up, too, when she's visiting her, and last year she came with a razor. I guess they grow up so fast, but I didn't want anything to do with becoming a woman when I was her age.
Watch her come home with a thong this year! lol. just kididng.

I could have used a slightly padded bra when i was developing, my nipples were very standoutish. But the add a cup size or the push ups aren't appropriate until girls are mature enough to handle the attention such items bring from men.

At the age of 11 I was taller than most women and looked like I was 21. It stunk. I purposely dressed young to escape attention I did not want. I remember my dad having to tell off the costco cart guy for flirting with me at the store.... I had friends who had DD size breasts at 11-12. They started developing at 8. That posed a problem, having to buy a minimizer for your preteen!