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I've spoken before in my blogs about teen bras and training bras. But now is probably a good time to look at the questions again. The summer holidays are upon us and buying school uniforms is for many families a priority, particularly where the move is made up to 'senior school'. Part of this process of growing up for young girls is getting their first bra. I regularly read lingerie related forums to keep up to date with the latest trends within the industry, but one of the things that I see on a regular basis is questions from young girls about buying their first bra. These often involve issues around rasing the issue with their parents or where their parents have laid down the law about not wearing a bra or the type of bra to be worn.

Part of the attitude shown by some of these parents comes from the recent media hype around sexualisation of young children. Whilst I fully agree with the sentiments that have been expressed in the media, a lot of the detail has to say the least been misleading and damaging to the confidence of young girls and their parents. So lets look at this issue, in a sensible way. Much of the hype has been around padded bras, in that they sexualise young girls, by increasing breast volume and making them look bigger breasted. Some padded bras, particularly those with graduated padding or push up bras may do, but these bras are not made for or aimed at young girls.

These bras are underwired and made to be sexy and to give shape to women who feel more confident with a little bit of help or enhancement. Padded bras for young girls or teens on the other hand are not underwired and have a moulded or foam lined cup that are not designed to greatly enhance the bust. What the media sadly failed to recognise is the fact that a lot of young girls look for a padded type cup, not because they want to enhance or sexualise themselves, but more because they are self conscious and  lack confidence and feel the need to cover up. So far from being an item that sexualises young girls they do exactly the opposite, like a T - shirt bra, they give a smooth outline and to put it plainly stop nipples showing through and thereby sparing the blushes of a young growing girl.

Non padded teen bras are available, but the reality is that nine out of ten young girls, supported by their parents will opt for the padded version.

So what do you need to consider and look for when looking for that first bra for a young girl? Firstly try to start off on the right foot, by going for a proper fitting. So many parents guess a size for their daughters and set then off on the path of buying off the peg, often meaning that they are wearing ill fitting bras that don't offer the support they need as they grow. Make sure that the bra is a soft cup bra, in other words no wires. Young girls are still growing and as they change size and shape a wire will trap breast tissue and become uncomfortable and potentially damaging, trapping milk ducts etc. Don't forget that as they are still growing they need to be have their bra size checked on a regular basis.

Plain white  or black bras are available for school, together with lots of different designs that are age appropriate and not sexually provacative.

So if you have a daughter who is ready for her first bra, discuss it with her and take her for a fitting. Don't leave it for others to advise on a forum or leave them to their own devices to buy something that may not be suitable for a growing girl or appropriate for their age.