Normal breast development

Breasts: different shapes and sizes

Breasts come in all different sizes and shapes. If you look around you’ll see a huge variety of sizes and shapes of breasts – for example - big, round, flat, pointed, small, pear-shaped and sloping.

Breast size and shape is determined by the genes inherited from our parents. Everyone’s breasts are different, and no one has breasts that are exactly the same as another person's; you shouldn’t expect your breasts to look the same as anyone else’s.

What can you do?
There’s nothing we can do to make our breasts grow bigger or smaller – or change their shape. But don’t forget that breasts will constantly change while they are developing.

Nipples: different shapes, sizes and colours

Nipples, as well as breasts, come in all shapes, sizes and colours. They can point up or down, be dark or pale, big or small – and can look different on each breast. Some people have nipples that get hard and stick out (become erect) when they’re cold, or when they’re rubbed. Others have nipples that stick out all the time.

What can you do?
There’s nothing we can do to change the size, shape or colour of our nipples – they are the way they are. If you’re embarrassed about having erect nipples, choose a bra that’s padded at the front or try using skin coloured stick-on nipple covers.

Uneven breasts

It’s common for one breast to be larger than the other and this is perfectly normal. Sometimes one breast may grow quicker than the other, but they will generally even up over time. It’s not unusual for some people to have breasts that are slightly different sizes, or for one to sit higher or lower than the other.

What can you do?
There’s nothing much you can do about uneven breasts. Most differences will even out as you get older. A good bra will help make any differences between breasts less obvious.

Inverted nipples

Some people have nipples that are inverted (nipples that are turned inwards). This is quite normal. Inverted nipples can be like that from birth or happen as the breasts are developing. If you’ve always had inverted nipples this is normal for you and nothing to worry about. Sometimes inverted nipples will stick out if they are rubbed, and they may eventually stick out once the breasts have finished growing – or after childbirth and breastfeeding.

What can you do?
Having inverted nipples is quite normal. If you’re bothered by them you could try a niplette – a thimble-like device worn for a while that can help make the nipples stick out.

Hair around the nipples

Some people have a few hairs growing around their nipple and areola. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about.

What can you do?
If you’re bothered by hair around the nipple you can cut it off close with small scissors. This is better than plucking or shaving the hair as this may cause infection.

Stretch marks

Girls who have breasts that develop and grow very quickly may get stretch marks. These are red spoke-like lines that appear on the skin. Lots of girls get them during puberty, and they can also develop during pregnancy. During puberty, stretch marks on the breasts and the rest of the body are very common and completely normal. Over time these stretch marks usually fade to match the colour of the rest of the skin.

What can you do?
Nothing much can be done to stop stretch marks appearing, especially if your body develops quickly. Keeping the skin well moisturised may be of help. The red marks will fade over time to match the natural colour of the skin.

Tenderness and pain

You may experience tingling and an aching feeling in your chest when your breasts are developing. After your periods begin, the changing hormones may make the breasts feel tender, painful or sore a week or so just before your period starts. However, this does not happen to everyone.

What can you do?
If you feel tenderness or pain in your breasts that doesn’t go away, do talk to someone about it. Your mum, school nurse or GP (local doctor) will be able to give you pain relief to help make you feel more comfortable.

Smooth or lumpy breasts

Breasts may feel either smooth or lumpy – and both are normal. Your breasts may feel lumpy or just different around the time of your period, but they will often settle down again when it’s over. While breasts are growing, lumps may develop and these are nearly always due to normal changes in the breast tissue. Very occasionally lumps are a sign of a benign (harmless) breast condition, which may need to be checked out by a doctor.

The most common benign lump as the breasts are developing is known as a fibroadenoma. A fibroadenoma is a solid lump of tissue, usually around 1 to 3 cm in size, that feels smooth and moves easily under the skin. They are usually painless, though sometimes they can feel tender or even painful. They are very common and don’t usually need any treatment once they have been checked out by a doctor.

What can you do?
If you find a lump in your breast that you are worried about, do go and visit your doctor. Although it’s very unlikely that there’s anything wrong, the doctor will be able to check it out and should put your mind at rest. Don’t forget that you can request a female doctor or the practice nurse if this will make you feel more comfortable.

Extra breasts and nipples

A small number of people have an extra breast or pair of breasts. These are known as accessory breasts and are usually in the lower armpit. They are often present from birth, though sometimes they can appear during puberty. Also, some people have an extra nipple or nipples. These are usually below the breast or above the belly button.

Accessory breasts and extra nipples can often cause anxiety and embarrassment, but they are quite normal. They are not a health concern and don’t need to be removed.

What can you do?
If you have accessory breasts and/or extra nipples you may feel embarrassed and worried about them. When you get your period you may notice normal changes such as a heavy feeling and tenderness in the accessory breast as well as in your natural breasts. If this is upsetting or uncomfortable, do go and talk to their doctor or practice nurse for further support.

Nipple discharge

Once the breasts have fully developed (usually around the age of 17) you might get some spontaneous discharge from the nipple. This is perfectly normal and might happen after exercise, or after massaging the breast or nipple. Nipple discharge is generally white in colour, but can range from yellow, to green, to a brown/red colour. It generally appears in small amounts and is nothing to worry about.

What can you do?
Unless there is a large amount of discharge from the nipple this is nothing to worry about – though of course you can visit your doctor or practice nurse if you have any concerns.

Excessive growth

A small number of girls experience excessive growth of breast tissue during development where the breasts grow large and out of proportion to the rest of the body. This is known as breast hypertrophy. It’s not known what causes this, but it’s thought that it may be due to increased sensitivity to hormones. Girls with breast hypertrophy often feel embarrassed and it can also cause physical symptoms such as backache.

What can you do?
Dieting and losing weight won’t help reduce the size of the breasts if you have breast hypertrophy. Surgery is really the only option to reduce the size of the breasts. If you have any concerns do go and talk to your GP.

Know and love your breasts

It’s good for you to get to know and love your breasts before, during and after they develop. If you get to know the way your breasts and body normally looks and feels, you’ll know when something changes. So if you usually get lumpy breasts before your period this is nothing to worry about – it is normal for you.

If you’re at all worried about something to do with your breasts or breast development, there are people who can help. You can talk to a relative, doctor or school nurse who’ll be happy to listen.