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AIBU

Children's bras

(60 Posts)
boheminan Tue 12-Nov-19 19:32:00

The other day I had a wander round the local Peacock store with my daughter.

We stopped to browse the children's underwear area, where I was stopped in my tracks by a display of children's bras, tiny size 28"AA's. However what I can't get out of my mind is that the cups were padded. Why??? Is it just me being silly but do little girls need padded bras? Are they seen as some sort of armour against any knocks in the chest, or (more sinister in my thoughts) to make their little breasts appear bigger.

I do realise that some young women may have the tiny bodies of children, but these garments are being displayed in the children's clothing section and small sizes of bras are also displayed separately in the adults area.

Sussexborn Tue 12-Nov-19 19:39:54

I noticed padded bras in the M&S children’s section today!

tanith Tue 12-Nov-19 19:42:39

My daughters has had the devils own job to find first bras for my GD that aren’t padded it’s totally ridiculous. What are these people thinking?

notanan2 Tue 12-Nov-19 19:58:34

I always went for padded as a tean as they conceal errect nipples which I was conscious about.

I hated non padded as I felt exposed in teeshirts etc where the nipple can poke out

boheminan Tue 12-Nov-19 20:04:04

notanan2 - these bras are tiny, I'd say pre-teen

jura2 Tue 12-Nov-19 20:20:24

Really really sad. Yes, those are for pre teens and pre nipples.

Harris27 Tue 12-Nov-19 20:47:10

Crop tops are popular too I hate them. And my two granddaughters seem to be in the thought their grown up if they have one 8 and 11.

GrandmaMoira Tue 12-Nov-19 21:00:50

My young grandaughter likes padded bras as they cover her up. Some other bras are quite see through. She is pre teen but like many girls now is an early developer, definitely not an AA cup.

GrandmaMoira Tue 12-Nov-19 21:04:16

Also whilst in M&S looking for suitable bras as my DGD is too big for their Angel teen range, they told me that young girls should not wear underwired bras. They are bad for growing girls - I guess like outgrown shoes.

notanan2 Tue 12-Nov-19 21:11:53

notanan2 - these bras are tiny, I'd say pre-teen

Okay. I just would hope it was something like that not thd alternative I guess y'know sad

NotSpaghetti Tue 12-Nov-19 21:13:23

when girls are changing for PE etc, if they are slower or faster than average to develop they are extremely self-conscious. I’d think virtually all girls age 10/11 would have one simply to fit in. If you can think back to your own “gym” days I expect you wanted to appear to be “normal”, well it’s almost certainly the same now.
As others say, light padding will conceal nipples!

Oopsminty Tue 12-Nov-19 21:14:38

The little 'fake' sports bras are quite good at that age. Nice and comfy and nothing on view

BlueBelle Tue 12-Nov-19 22:56:01

No it’s not sad, that is the explanation we are reading into it they are not worn to fill them out they are worn because the girls are embarrassed at their nips showing through, which they can do with thin bras most kids will be wearing a bra by 10/11 I certainly was by 11

Coolgran65 Wed 13-Nov-19 00:26:36

My dh is near!y 12 and just started grammar school thus experiencing communal changing etc. She doesn't need any support but does wear a little crop vest top. It makes her feel more comfortable and less exposed. Important also at that age not to feel different or be seen as different.

Calendargirl Wed 13-Nov-19 09:22:37

I was always behind hand in needing a bra as I was flat as a pancake. Remember in the first year at grammar school another girl who really needed a bra said her mother felt you should learn to support your own muscles!!!
I ended up wearing one of my older sister’s outgrown bras, didn’t fit at all but felt one of the crowd.
Glad that my two grand daughters have mums who are more switched on than my own dear mum.
BTW, even though I have never been well endowed, never felt the need to wear a padded bra.

Callistemon Wed 13-Nov-19 09:32:40

Weren't there some complaints years ago when M&S and other stores started stocking these 'bras' for children?

Parents said that they were sexualising young girls and I think M&S stopped selling them.

gagsville Wed 13-Nov-19 09:56:44

When I was 11 my Mum bought me my first 28AA un-padded bra. I stuffed a load of toilet roll in the cups to make my boobs look bigger. My brother said in a load voice at the breakfast table "why has Frankie got toilet paper stuffed down her shirt?" I was mortified. By the time I was 14 I was a size 36c and would give anything to have small boobs (and still would).

NotSpaghetti Wed 13-Nov-19 09:59:28

Yes, Callistemon - but they were bra-tops with adjustable bra type straps for 6-8 year olds!

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7718560/MandS-apologises-for-selling-bra-tops-to-girls-aged-six.html

jaylucy Wed 13-Nov-19 10:00:55

The same reason that DD+ bras are often padded - nipples!

Purplepoppies Wed 13-Nov-19 10:06:43

My daughter shares my opinion that my 8 (almost 9) yr old gd doesn't need a crop top or padded bra despite her protestations she does!!
When she is ready she will get a non padded bra befitting the child she is, not the teenager she wants to be......

Tigertooth Wed 13-Nov-19 10:10:05

gagsville

When I was 11 my Mum bought me my first 28AA un-padded bra. I stuffed a load of toilet roll in the cups to make my boobs look bigger. My brother said in a load voice at the breakfast table "why has Frankie got toilet paper stuffed down her shirt?" I was mortified. By the time I was 14 I was a size 36c and would give anything to have small boobs (and still would)

Really? 36C would be my dream size - I think it’s the perfect bust.

Cambia Wed 13-Nov-19 10:12:06

I too remember stuffing toilet roll in my bra! My younger sister was much more well endowed and needed a bra but of course being the eldest I couldn’t be left behind!
Got the last laugh though, my sister hates her bust to this day whereas mine doesn’t bother me!

ReadyMeals Wed 13-Nov-19 10:24:08

Sometimes a young girl is embarrassed by the thought her nipples might show through her clothes as they develop, and often they are quite sensitive and sore. Mine were. A padded bra can help with these worries.

Maremia Wed 13-Nov-19 10:29:54

Was all set to be annoyed at the idea of padded bras for youngsters until some of you explained about the nipple embarrassment.

Gingergirl Wed 13-Nov-19 10:32:27

I don’t think tiny bras of any sort, are needed or appropriate. Its just another way to make money I’m sure, and another way to erode childhood.