when it comes to talking about highly personal subjects – puberty, adolescence, changes in the body, etc. In families where such subjects are swept under the carpet, the child is left to fend for herself or get information from her friends. Ideally, young girls should be comfortable voicing their opinion about the changes in their body and mothers should address them as well at the right time. But what time is the right time? Many a time, mothers are unaware or confused about the right time to get their daughter started on wearing a bra. Here are some frequently asked questions and the answers that provide a ready reckoner for mothers on the best time to choose the first bra for their daughters along with the type, fit, and style.
Every family has its own dynamics when it comes to talking about highly personal subjects – puberty, adolescence, changes in the body, etc. In families where such subjects are swept under the carpet, the child is left to fend for herself or get information from her friends. Ideally, young girls should be comfortable voicing their opinion about the changes in their body and mothers should address them as well at the right time. But what time is the right time? Many a time, mothers are unaware or confused about the right time to get their daughter started on wearing a bra. Here are some frequently asked questions and the answers that provide a ready reckoner for mothers on the best time to choose the first bra for their daughters along with the type, fit, and style.
WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO BUY YOUR DAUGHTER’S FIRST BRA?The time when not wearing a bra becomes an issue for your daughter is the right time. For early maturers, the right time is when the mother first notices that her daughter’s blouse is standing out suspiciously. It is best to address the situation immediately before the girl starts receiving unwanted attention. For late bloomers, the correct time is when they feel left out or start forming a poor body image because they have not caught up to their peers.
Shopping for her first bra is an important milestone for any girl but it can be difficult to know when the time is right to take her for a fitting. Some girls are desperate to wear one, especially if all their peers wear them, while others try to put it off for as long as possible. Keeping an eye out to see if your daughter has been showing any interest in bras lately (browsing through websites, magazines and the like) will also help you to figure out if your daughter is ready for her first bra.
HOW TO DECIDE IF MY DAUGHTER IS READY FOR IT?Whether your daughter is ready for her first bra or not, she is nevertheless going to experience an emotional rollercoaster ride. It is binding that you be with her, helps her, supports her, and most importantly listen to her. The occasion of a buying first bra is a good time to talk to a preteen about all the changes that women go through and to make it clear that it is nothing to be embarrassed about.
The most important thing is to respect her wishes. Her first bra is likely to be painful; she may feel uncomfortable or even start wishing that she didn’t have to go through this phase. You have to reassure her that the pain and uneasiness will soon pass and every girl has to go through this phase. She may try to hide her breasts or wear clothes twice her size. As a mother, you should be patient and understanding, always give her space to experiment.
HOW DO I FIND THE RIGHT BRA FOR HER?
First, find out what your daughter is exactly looking for. Then select a bra that fits her need and style. At the store, an experienced fit expert will look at her shape and size, then measure under and across her breast. Finally, you may choose the perfect one for your daughter.
HOW SHOULD THE LITTLE GIRL TAKE CARE OF HER BRA?As a mother, you are supposed to educate her on how to take proper care of her bra so that they last longer and give her a good support for a longer period of time. For instance, avoiding machine wash. Explain to her that she cannot wear the same size for her entire life and that it is natural for her bra size to increase. You need to teach her how to tell when she needs to upgrade to a bigger bra size.
WHAT TYPE OF FIRST BRA SHOULD SHE WEAR?
Speak to your daughter first, so that you can understand what she would like to wear. Allow her to pick up something that is not only well-fitted and comfortable but also pretty to her liking and appropriate to yours. Sometimes, what she wants may not be the right choice at the moment, so it’s advisable to suggest options that offer good cover and support for her.