What is a Training Bra?

If you’re raising a young girl approaching her teens, you have to start having mature conversations about womanhood, such as wearing bras and periods. Puberty is quite a challenging stage, and these young girls need all the support they can get.

Although we have been through puberty and understand the challenges, we always wonder when the best time for our girls to start wearing bras and even what bras are appropriate for girls with tiny breasts is.

Training bras are the appropriate bras for young girls preparing for breast development or tiny boobs that cannot fit in a regular bra. They can wear them before the breasts start to grow or just during the first signs of development. Here is some detailed information on training bras, tips, and tricks for choosing a training bra, and the right time to introduce training bras.

What is a training bra?

Also known as a trainer bra, the first bra or starter bra is a bra intended and designed for young girls who are beginning to develop breasts during puberty. Contrary to their name, training bras do not train the breasts; they protect, cover, and support the tender nipples and buds of growing breasts.

Historically, women in many societies wore some form of brassier to support their breasts. The bra then evolved into more intricate designs for different purposes and aesthetics. Additionally, doctors encouraged preteen girls to wear bras to prevent sagging, overstretched breast tissue, blood vessels, and poor circulation.

Therefore it became popular for preteen girls to wear training bras even though their breasts were too small to need support. Training bras are lightweight and have little to no support, and sometimes can be simply a cultural right of passage to symbolize the becoming of a woman.

What is the point of a training bra?

During the 1950s, health professionals believed that training bras would prevent sagging and stretching of the breast tissue, but growing breasts are so small, they do not have enough tissue that may require additional support. Therefore, there are no medical or health reasons for a young girl to wear a training bra. However, there are some circumstances where wearing a training bra for some girls may be necessary, such as;

• Girls with very sensitive breasts will need to protect the nipples from rubbing against clothing fabric that may be rough on the nipple skin.
• Girls with very prominent nipples may wear bras to cover the protrusion by creating a barrier between the breast and top.
• You can wear a training bra long after puberty if your breasts don’t fit in standard bras yet.
• Training bras reduce discomfort by restricting the breasts from bouncing during movements such as running, sports, or dance. Excess bounces increase the risk of ligament tear and tissue damage.
• Some training bras have fabric that absorbs and minimizes sweating. It helps your body cool down during physical activities and prevents the growth of bacteria and body odor.
• Training bras can be outerwear for women. Girls may have to wear a training bra in situations where you’re required to wear a dressing similar to a bra, such as a dance or sports. 

Cons of wearing a training bra

There is no practical reason for a young girl not to wear a training bra as long as they are the right fit. The setbacks of wearing training bras will depend on the style of training bra you choose, for instance, padded bras are more conspicuous, but they offer more nipple coverage, camisole, and bralette styles do not have much support. Still, they are less evident and better for girls who want to wear training bras before their breasts start to develop.

Though training bras protect tender nipples and breast tissue from ligament tear during activities, they do not offer enough support for bigger breasts. Therefore, the girl will still need to change to a regular bra for extra support once the breasts start to gain volume.

 At what point should your daughter start wearing a training bra?

The decision of when to wear a training bra is up to each girl, and since girls develop breasts at different times, there is no specific time when it is suitable for a girl to wear a training bra. However, there are several factors to consider when deciding the best time for your daughter to start wearing a training bra; some social, physical, and personal.

• The best time for a young girl to start wearing a training bra is after noticing breast buds. Breast buds feel like small bumps under each nipple that may feel tender and sore to the touch or running. The nipples start protruding and may become sensitive when they rub against certain outerwear fabrics. Training bras come in a variety of fabrics that are soft and hold the breast in place, so they are not painful when running.
• A girl can also start to wear training bras when they begin to feel self-conscious about their breasts regardless of physical development. Wearing a training bra may give a young girl in puberty some confidence, more so because they are harmless as long as the elastic band is not constricting.
• As earlier discussed, training bras are introductory brassieres for girls who show signs of breast development. The average age to start wearing training bras is around 8-10 years, while others may not need one until about 14 years. So is no specific period when they should start wearing a training bra until she is physically and emotionally ready. Since bras have no breast support, they are essential for girls with small breasts and very sensitive buds and nipples.

Why is it called a training bra?

Training bras got their name from their functionality. They “train” small breasts to grow into the firm and upright breasts and help a young girl become familiar with wearing their first bra.

Training bras are easy to wear, do not have an underwire, are hook-free, and are usually unpadded to give comfort to tender and sensitive growing breasts. However, since training bras do not have padding or support, you should replace them with regular bras once the girl’s breasts begin to grow bigger.

Check this too: What is a Plunge Bra?

Things to consider when choosing a training bra

Finding the right training bra for your teen is just as challenging as buying a regular bra. The options to choose from are also equally several. Here are some factors to consider to help you narrow down your best choices.

1. Purpose

You should get training bras designed for specific purposes. For example, sports training bras should be breathable and also have a moisture-absorbent fabric. For instance, wearing cotton training bras during spots will show through your outerwear, and some may cause chaffing on the nipples.

If you want a bra for coverage, it should have either double-lined fabric or soft padding. A camisole style is excellent for a girl who wants some coverage but is not noticeable underneath her clothes.

2. Fabric

The best fabric for training bras should be stretchy, soft, and lightweight. Growing breasts are very tender; therefore, you should go for more delicate fabrics such as cotton as it is also less irritating to the skin.

Nylon and spandex blends can also be soft and flexible, which doesn’t compress your boobs. In addition, double-lined fabrics offer nipple coverage which can boost a girl’s confidence.

3. Style

The style of training bras varies depending on the reason for getting the training bra. A sports training bra will be different from a regular training bra in material and design. Some come with padding, which is great for girls with very delicate buds and nipples.

Bras with adjustable straps are a better choice. Colour is also important; white or skin tone colours are better for beginners. Wider and thicker straps tend to be more comfortable, especially the more your breasts grow in size.

4. Size

Even though training bras do not come in cup sizes, the fit is equally important. Also, regular bras have standard sizing while training bras do not since the breasts are still developing; therefore, you need to confirm with the size chart every time you buy a new training bra.

To get the correct measurement, use a tape measure to measure the underbust, around the rid cage, slightly under the chest. And then measure horizontally around the fullest parts of your breasts, usually across the nipples, which is the overbust. Match the measurements with the bra sizing and pick a style that suits you.

5. Fit

The training bra fit should be snug yet comfortable. If the measurements fall between two sizes, it’s more sensible to size up, but you should always get a bra that fits you properly. Observe where the training bra sits on your ribcage and if your breathing changes while wearing it.

The straps should also be fitting; they should not be too tight that they cut into the skin and leave marks, and also shouldn’t be too loose that they fall over the shoulder.

Conclusion

A training bra is simply a lightweight bra for girls who do not have fully-grown breasts. There is no specific time when a girl can start wearing a training bra as it can be as early as eight years old. However, when a girl starts developing breasts buds, it may be necessary to wear one as they can be sensitive to movement and outerwear fabrics like wool or denim.