[Ejcoolio4500]

I am 10 almost 11 and I know I need a bra. I would like a padded one and my best friend thinks I need one.
My mum is a little bit protective and I feel so embarrassed about asking her for one. How can I ask my mum for a padded bra?

[J_9]

At 10 you don't need a padded bra, you need a training bra.

[teacherjenn4]

Why do you need a padded bra? You may need a bra, but not one with padding.

[Alty]

No 11 year old child needs to make herself look bigger in the chest than she really is. When you're 20 you can get a padded bra. At your age you need a training bra. If you're ready to get a bra (by ready I mean in need of a bra) then sit down with mom, tell her why you feel you need one, and see how it goes. Mom will know if you actually need one.

Many kids come to this site at your age asking this question. I often wonder if it's actually the need for a bra, or wanting to look older than you are. You have your entire life to wear a bra. If you don't need one yet, don't be in too much of a hurry to get one. They're not nearly as fun as young girls think they are.

[Wondergirl]

I often wonder if it's actually the need for a bra, or wanting to look older than you are.

Or keeping up with the Joneses.

[ScottGem]

Ok, this is coming from the father of a daughter with not a large experience with adolescent breast development, so correct me if I'm wrong. But from what I've seen, young girls bud in different ways. Some develop rounded breasts, others more pointed buds. A thin training bra doesn't hide the shape of the breast so that certain types of buds may stick out and be embarrassing to a young girl. So they may want a padded bra to hide the buds and present a more rounded shape. Not to make their breasts look larger.

[Alty]

Ok, this is coming from the father of a daughter with not a large experience with adolescent breast development, so correct me if I'm wrong. But from what I've seen, young girls bud in different ways. Some develop rounded breasts, others more pointed buds. A thin training bra doesn't hide the shape of the breast so that certain types of buds may stick out and be embarrassing to a young girl. So they may want a padded bra to hide the buds and present a more rounded shape. Not to make their breasts look larger.

You are right Scott, and had the OP posted "I'm developing but my breasts are a weird shape and I'm embarrassed" I wouldn't have a problem with a very small padded bra. But it doesn't sound (and yes, I'm reading between the lines) like that's the issue. It sounds like her friends all have padded bras, so she wants one too.

There are many different types of training bras, not all are thin material. Those are more like undershirts, not an actual bra. A real training bra will be thicker material, and will give you a nice shape, so no real padding needed.

Here's a good training bra that will offer some shape if that's the issue. It does have light padding in it, to camouflage odd shaped breasts, without enhancing the size :

Google Image Result for http://c.shld.net/rpx/i/s/i/spin/image/spin_prod_653293801%3Fwid%3D400%26hei%3D400

This is a padded training bra:

Google Image Result for http://c.shld.net/rpx/i/s/i/spin/image/spin_prod_505269701%3Fhei%3D315%26wid%3D315%26op_s harpen%3D1%26resMode%3Dsharp%26op_usm%3D0.9,0.5,0, 0

Unless the OP is very developed, I don't think she needs the padded option above. The first one should do just fine.

Just my opinion, and I'm not only a female, but also have a 10 year old girl. :)

[ScottGem]

Yep the first example is the type of thing I was thinking of. Yes its unclear whether the OP is looking to enhance her shape or blur it. I just wanted to suggest the other possibility.

[JudyKayTee]

Or you get a regular bra, training or otherwise, with "petals" (either built in or with velcro) that center over the nipples.

I'm a jogger - petals keep nipples from getting irritated, cover up nipples when the bra and top are light colored, give a more rounded shape.

Whenever it's "how to ask my mother" I figure Mom hasn't noticed so it's not an appearance issue.

(Note to Alty - your daughter is 10. My bras are 10. What a coincidence!)

[Alty]

Or you get a regular bra, training or otherwise, with "petals" (either built in or with velcro) that center over the nipples.

I'm a jogger - petals keep nipples from getting irritated, cover up nipples when the bra and top are light colored, give a more rounded shape.

Whenever it's "how to ask my mother" I figure Mom hasn't noticed so it's not an appearance issue.

(Note to Alty - your daughter is 10. My bras are 10. What a coincidence!)

LOL! Thankfully my daughter is a far way from needing even an undershirt. But all girls develop at different rates. I didn't start until I was a teen.

I like the idea of the petals. For me, when I hear padded bra, I think of the second example I posted, and that's not something any 10 year old should be wearing, but it is made for young girls. I think it's inappropriate for a child. The first picture I posted has more of a petal, not actual padding. I think that's much more appropriate for an 11 year old girl, and if the girl is worried about the shape of her budding breasts, that will cover up enough to hide any "imperfections".

I do agree Judy. I, as a mom to a daughter, wouldn't need to be asked by my daughter for a bra. I would notice, and I'd be the one approaching her saying that it's time. Every time I read a post like this I automatically think that this is a matter of want, not need. Either that or the child has a very oblivious mother. .