Breast development: Stages and how to spot growth signs - Flo (2024)

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    Breast development: Stages and how to spot growth signs - Flo (2)

    Updated 12 April 2023 |

    Published 11 January 2019

    Fact Checked

    Breast development: Stages and how to spot growth signs - Flo (3)

    Reviewed by Dr. Beth Schwartz, Assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Pennsylvania, US

    Flo Fact-Checking Standards

    Every piece of content at Flo Health adheres to the highest editorial standards for language, style, and medical accuracy. To learn what we do to deliver the best health and lifestyle insights to you, check out our content review principles.

    Bra or no bra — there’s a lot to learn about boobs during your teen years.

    Your teen years are full of pretty notable firsts — your first crush, maybe your first kiss, and your first period. This can all be very exciting, but the emotional and physical changes that make up puberty might leave you with a few questions — namely, what’s going on with your boobs?

    One of the earliest changes you might have noticed is that your breasts have started to grow and change shape. For many people, puberty begins between the ages of 8 and 13 years old, but your breasts continue to develop well into adulthood. While this is to be expected and is something to be celebrated (boobs are great, after all), it’s natural to feel self-conscious at times about the way your body is changing. You might find yourself looking at your friends and peers and wondering if you’re “normal,” for example.

    To reassure you, a Flo expert shares the lowdown on how your breasts might change during puberty — including what is considered to be early or late development and how to choose your first bra.

    What are the breast development stages during puberty?

    The changes you experience during puberty might feel overwhelming and hard to track. Between your period starting and hair growing in new places, it’s common to feel like you’re living in a new, slightly unpredictable body. However, knowledge is power, and understanding what might happen and when may help you feel more in control.

    So, first up, what even is puberty? It might come as no surprise that it has a lot to do with hormones. Puberty is triggered when the hormone center of your brain — known as the hypothalamus — releases hormones to start new processes. For example, follicle-stimulating hormones and luteinizing hormones act as a green light for your ovaries to start producing the sex hormone estrogen, which plays a role in breast development.

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    Estrogen triggers fat to collect in the chest area around age 10. However, this can happen a little earlier, so you may notice changes between the ages of 8 and 12. This means, from that point onward, breast buds start to form under the nipple.

    Breast buds are small, disc-shaped bumps that might cause your nipples to stick out. They might appear like raised bumps initially and feel slightly sore, itchy, or uncomfortable — all of this is perfectly normal. The area around your nipple, called your areola, may also start to grow and darken in color. This is also totally expected and nothing to worry about. It’s even a sign that you might be about to reach another big milestone. While they might not feel like they’re connected, breast buds tend to form around two years before your first period. So, if you start to notice your chest developing, you can prepare for your first menstrual bleed. To learn more about how your body may change during puberty, use an app like Flo.

    Tanner stages in girls: Female breast development scale

    When you think about your breasts developing, you might just imagine them getting bigger, but there’s a little more to it than that. While you might notice growth, your boobs can also change shape, and your nipple may change too. To understand this development, you can review the sexual maturity rating or the five Tanner stages — named after Professor James M. Tanner, a child development expert who was the first to identify and label the visible stages of puberty.

    StageChanges
    1Your nipples may be slightly raised, but you haven’t started to develop fatty breast tissue yet.
    2Breast buds start to appear. You may notice that your chest is raised and that your nipples appear bigger and darker in color.
    3The internal parts of your breasts that produce milk, called the lobes, develop, and your breasts may continue to grow.
    4Your breasts will continue to grow, and they might appear fuller now. Your nipples and the area around them may also appear raised.
    5Your breasts will continue to develop, grow, and change shape. If you’ve started your period, then how they feel may vary during different times in your cycle. This is due to changes in your hormones.


    Signs your breasts are growing

    You might have been waiting to spot the first signs of puberty, and you may be able to feel new developments before you see any differences.

    “The breast area can be tender or sore or itchy during breast growth,” says Dr. Sara Ritchie, assistant professor of pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina, US. This is all totally normal and nothing to worry about. You might also see some changes in the skin around your boobs as they grow. Some people develop stretch marks on their breasts, which may fade over time. If you feel at all self-conscious about stretch marks, remember that they’re totally normal, lots of people have them, and they’re just your body’s way of helping you grow into the adult you’re going to be.

    Are there nonphysical signs that breasts could be growing?

    You’ll probably already be aware that puberty can affect how you feel as well as how you look. Mood changes are a symptom that many of us experience throughout our teen years and into adulthood. Again, this comes down to your hormones. While mood swings aren’t a direct sign that your breasts are developing, they are a big indicator that you’ve hit puberty. To learn more about how your hormones can impact your mood during puberty, you can use an app like Flo.

    What do teen breasts look like?

    It can take a while to get your head around the changes in the way your body looks and feels. Many of us don’t have anyone to compare our own to, which means there’s often curiosity around what breasts are supposed to look like and whether yours are “normal.”

    The answer to this question is pretty straightforward. When it comes to the way boobs look, there’s no such thing as normal. They’re all awesome! Your breasts will grow, change in shape, and change size throughout your teen years, so try to embrace them however they look.

    “It can take about four years for the breasts to fully develop,” says Dr. Ritchie. “The size may be uneven [but may balance] out over time. Many adults have slightly different-sized breasts,” Dr. Ritchie adds. In fact, around one in four adults have boobs that aren’t exactly the same size and shape, so if this is the case for you, remember it’s very typical.

    Your breasts will continue to develop until you’re around 17 or 18 years old, but that’s not the end of their journey. Many fully grown adults will tell you that their boobs have changed throughout adulthood. Keep reading to find out how.

    What is considered to be late or early development?

    As we mentioned, most people start puberty between the ages of 8 and 13 years old. And, generally speaking, the earlier you start, the earlier you’ll finish. But puberty can begin at different times for different people. So, while we know it can feel worrying if you’re not at the same stage as your friends (whether you’re the pioneering pal who is the first to wear a bra or if you’re still waiting for that day to come), try not to worry. Your body is just going at its own pace.

    Some people start puberty earlier than average — before the age of 8 — and this is known as precocious puberty. On the other hand, delayed puberty is when things are happening more gradually, and you haven’t started to develop breast buds by the age of 13.

    If you’re worried about how quickly or slowly you’re developing, then speak to an adult you trust or your doctor. It’s very normal to have questions, and they’ll be able to walk you through what might be happening.

    Can breasts continue growing into your 20s or 30s?

    This might come as a little bit of a surprise to you, but your breasts don’t stop changing once you finish puberty. So let’s break this down. Your boobs might change size in your twenties, thirties, and beyond if you lose or gain weight. This is because your boobs are partially made up of fatty breast tissue. If you lose weight, then you may lose it from your chest.

    Similarly, once you start your period each month, you’ll experience a rise and fall in the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This is in line with your menstrual cycle. During their period, many people report their breasts feeling different in texture — they might feel firmer or lumpy. You’ll know what’s normal for you, so if you’re ever worried about a change in the look or texture of your boobs, don’t be afraid to reach out to your doctor.

    It might feel like a long way away, but pregnancy and breastfeeding are also big times of change for your body, including your breasts. When you’re expecting a baby, your body releases a hormone called prolactin. This encourages your breasts to start to produce milk, changing their size and look. Pretty amazing, right?

    Can you have complications when your breasts are growing?

    Feeling tingling, itchiness, or tenderness around your boobs can feel unfamiliar, but generally, most people move through their teen years without complications related to their breast growth. If you are worried, you can always speak to an adult that you trust and your doctor. It might be a part of your body that feels private, but don’t let that put you off — your doctor will be able to answer any of your questions and check for any changes. Remember, they’ve seen everything before!

    It’s also totally normal to have mixed feelings or emotions relating to your body developing during puberty. These can range from excitement or curiosity to feeling anxious or upset. You might have mixed feelings for lots of reasons. One reason why some people feel conflicted as their body changes is that they no longer feel like their gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth — and that’s normal too. Gender dysphoria describes this unease that your biological sex and gender identity don’t match. If you’ve experienced any distress or anxiety surrounding how your body is changing, then don’t be afraid to speak to a trusted adult. This could be a family member, friend, or organizations like Trans Lifeline or Switchboard. Remember, you don’t have to navigate these feelings on your own.

    When should you see a doctor?

    While most people’s boobs change throughout their teens and adulthood without complication, there are some signs you can look out for that may suggest it could be helpful to speak to your doctor. New aches and pains can be worrying, but there’s no such thing as a silly question. These signs include:

    Breast development: Stages and how to spot growth signs - Flo (7)

    How to choose a bra when you’re a teenager

    When your boobs start to grow, you’ll likely be wondering when you can get your first bra. Buying your first bra might seem like a rite of passage and something everyone does. It’s really important to remember that there’s no right or wrong time to buy a bra. You’ll know how your body is changing, and a bra may help you feel more comfortable. But if you’re not ready yet and don’t want to wear one, that’s also totally fine.

    Talking this through with an adult you feel comfortable with — whether it’s a friend or family member — before you go to the store might help you work through any nerves. It’s natural for the underwear section to feel like an unknown land, but take someone with you for moral support, and you’ll get familiar with the new world of bra shapes and cup sizes in no time. If going to the store feels embarrassing, then you can also shop for your first bra online. All you’ll need is a tape measure so you can figure out what size you’ll need.

    Wearing the right bra size is really important, as it can support your boobs as they grow and may ease any discomfort you have. You’ll notice there are lots of different types of bras — from bralettes to underwire bras and sports bras. Each will feel different, and there’s no “right” style for a first bra, so explore what feels best for you.

    Breast changes during puberty: The takeaway

    Like most parts of puberty, breast development can feel sudden and unpredictable. It’s totally normal to have questions about what’s going on with your body, and so, hopefully, now you feel more informed.

    The most important thing to remember is there’s no such thing as normal when it comes to boobs. They can be different sizes and shapes at different points in your life, as they’ll grow and change with you. So remember not to be hard on yourself, and instead, try to embrace the changes you’re going through as your body develops.

    References

    “Breast Development.” Texas Children’s Hospital, www.texaschildrens.org/health/breast-development. Accessed 9 Mar. 2023.

    “Breast Exams.” KidsHealth, kidshealth.org/en/teens/breast-exams.html. Accessed 9 Mar. 2023.

    “Breast Lumps.” NHS, www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-lump/. Accessed 9 Mar. 2023.

    “Breast Symptoms: Child.” Seattle Children’s Hospital, www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/breast-symptoms-child/. Accessed 9 Mar. 2023.

    “Changes during Pregnancy.” The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, www.acog.org/womens-health/infographics/changes-during-pregnancy. Accessed 9 Mar. 2023.

    “Early or Delayed Puberty.” NHS, www.nhs.uk/conditions/early-or-delayed-puberty/. Accessed 9 Mar. 2023.

    Emmanuel, Mickey, and Brooke R. Bokor. “Tanner Stages.” StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 2021.

    “Everything You Wanted to Know About Puberty.” KidsHealth, kidshealth.org/en/teens/puberty.html. Accessed 9 Mar. 2023.

    “Hormones, Puberty, and Sexuality.” NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Healthy Child Programme, www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/what-we-do/children-young-people-health-services-cambridgeshire/cambridgeshire-0-19-healthy-child-programme/being-healthy/hormones-puberty-and-sexuality. Accessed 9 Mar. 2023.

    “Kids Health Information: Unequal Breast Size.” The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Unequal_breast_size/. Accessed 9 Mar. 2023.

    “Normal Breast Development.” Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=normal-breast-development-90-P01624. Accessed 9 Mar. 2023.

    “Normal Breast Development and Changes.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, 20 July 2020, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/normal-breast-development-and-changes.

    Peper, Jiska S., and Ronald E. Dahl. “Surging Hormones: Brain-Behavior Interactions during Puberty.” Current Directions in Psychological Science, vol. 22, no. 2, Apr. 2013, pp. 134–39.

    “Precocious Puberty.” Mayo Clinic, 15 Feb. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/precocious-puberty/symptoms-causes/syc-20351811.

    “When Will I Start Developing?” KidsHealth, kidshealth.org/en/teens/start-developing.html. Accessed 9 Mar. 2023.

    History of updates

    Current version (12 April 2023)

    Reviewed by Dr. Beth Schwartz, Assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Pennsylvania, US

    Published (11 January 2019)

    In this article

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      Try Flo today
      Breast development: Stages and how to spot growth signs - Flo (2024)

      FAQs

      Breast development: Stages and how to spot growth signs - Flo? ›

      As your breast buds grow, you may notice tingling, aching or itching in your chest. Your nipples may swell or become tender. This is all normal. After your periods begin, the changing hormones may make your breasts feel tender, painful or sore a week or so before your period starts.

      What are signs that your breasts are growing? ›

      As your breast buds grow, you may notice tingling, aching or itching in your chest. Your nipples may swell or become tender. This is all normal. After your periods begin, the changing hormones may make your breasts feel tender, painful or sore a week or so before your period starts.

      How long does it take to notice breast growth? ›

      In general, breast development begins between the ages of 8 and 13. A girl's breasts are typically fully developed by age 17 or 18, however in some cases they can continue to grow into her early twenties.

      What do breasts look like when they are developing? ›

      Buds appear, and breast and nipple are raised. The dark area of skin around the nipple (the areola) gets larger. Breasts are slightly larger, with glandular breast tissue present. The areola and nipple become raised and form a second mound above the rest of the breast.

      What week do your breast start to grow? ›

      In the second trimester (weeks 14 to 27): Your breasts will get larger and heavier. You may need a more supportive bra.

      What helps boobs grow? ›

      Key takeaways. No food or diet plan has been clinically proven to increase breast size. There are also no supplements, pumps, or creams that can make breasts larger. The best natural way to enhance the look of your breasts is to do exercises that strengthen the chest, back, and shoulder area.

      Do stretch marks on breasts mean they are growing? ›

      Sudden weight fluctuation, including pregnancy and growth spurts, can cause breast stretch marks. Weight gain is associated with increased fat and connective tissue, which causes breast size to grow and leads to the development of stretch marks.

      What are the symptoms of growth in breast? ›

      These changes can include:
      • A round, smooth and firm breast lump.
      • A lump that feels firm and moves easily under the skin.
      • A hard breast lump with irregular edges.
      • An area of skin that has changed color.
      • Skin dimpling like an orange.
      • New changes in breast size or shape.
      • Fluid leaking from the nipple.
      Feb 8, 2024

      What do breast buds look like? ›

      Breast buds are small, disc-shaped lumps felt under the nipple and areola. Any lump found under the areola is a breast bud until proven otherwise. Breast symptoms in newborns are also covered. Other symptoms: breast lump, breast redness and nipple discharge.

      How soon do you notice breast changes? ›

      Early stage

      Your pregnancy hormones cause normal breast tissue to change into milk-producing tissue. This change happens as early as the first trimester (week 1 to week 12). Early on in the pregnancy, you may notice a tingling sensation in your breasts. Your breasts may feel tender and sore.

      Does playing with breasts increase growth? ›

      As your body develops, you might hear all sorts of rumors, like touching or massaging breasts makes them grow. That's not true. There's plenty of wrong information out there about breast development. Some are cons, like creams or pills that claim to make breasts bigger (they don't).

      What do underdeveloped breasts look like? ›

      Tubular breasts occur when your breast tissue doesn't grow as expected during puberty. Tubular breasts cause a lack of volume that makes your breasts take on an irregular shape that's not round. You may have larger areolas (the dark skin around your nipple) and nipples that point downward.

      How do you know if your breasts are projected? ›

      Projected breasts are the opposite of shallow breasts. They project forwards, sticking out further from the body in profile and have a smaller base. The base of the breast is smaller horizontally but can also be so vertically. The breasts can be spaced closely together or further apart.

      When do your boobs start producing milk? ›

      Stage one lactogenesis: This begins around the 16th week of pregnancy and lasts until a few days after you give birth. Estrogen and progesterone rise and cause your milk ducts to grow in number and size. This causes your breasts to become fuller. Your mammary glands begin to prepare for milk production.

      Is it safe to play with your breasts during pregnancy? ›

      Sucking of the breast as a form of romancing is normally stopped around this time but fondling is allowed. Stroking, massaging, and others are recommended as some alternative ways of making love instead of full intercourse. Pregnant women are usually very hot due to the high metabolic rate in their system.

      How fast do my breasts grow? ›

      Your breasts will grow, change in shape, and change size throughout your teen years, so try to embrace them however they look. “It can take about four years for the breasts to fully develop,” says Dr. Ritchie. “The size may be uneven [but may balance] out over time.

      What causes breasts to grow bigger? ›

      Breasts grow in response to the hormones estrogen and progesterone. As you enter puberty, levels of these hormones increase. Your breasts begin to grow under the stimulation of these hormones. Hormone levels also change during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause.

      Do your breasts grow at 14? ›

      A girl's breasts start to develop as puberty begins, usually between the ages of 8 and 14. The breasts gradually form mammary glands and fatty tissue during this time—a process that can continue to occur until the age of 18.

      What is the average bra size for a 13 14 year old? ›

      Bra sizes
      Clothes Sizing AgeBra size
      Age 9N/A
      Age 10 - 1130A /30B
      Age 12-1332A / 32B
      Age 14-1534A/34B
      Aug 9, 2023

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