Why wont my boobs grow

Breasts* grow and develop differently for different people. You may be wondering if yours will ever grow, or wish that they would stop growing! This page should help answer some of your questions.

Table of Contents Show

How do breasts develop?
What size will my breasts grow to be?
How long does it take to grow breasts during puberty?
What do normal breasts look like?
Can I change the way my breasts look?
When and how do I get a bra?
Help! My breasts keep changing! What’s happening?
Where Are My Boobs?
My Breasts Are Wonky
Good Things Come In Small Packages

How do breasts develop?

Before your breasts start to grow, your chest will be flat and your nipples may be small.
Then, small bumps (called buds) will start under your nipples. These buds may feel tender at first, but this will stop as you get a bit older.
Your nipples and the area around them (the areola) may change in colour and your nipples will sometimes get hard and stick out.
As time goes by, your breast buds will get rounder and fuller and grow into the shape of your breast.
Breasts can grow slowly or it may seem like they sprout overnight!
Breasts usually start growing when you’re between the ages of 8-13, and they may continue to grow into your early twenties.

What size will my breasts grow to be?

Breasts come in all shapes and sizes and it’s hard to predict what size your breasts will be.
Your breast size is affected by things like your weight and your genetics (what runs in your family).

How long does it take to grow breasts during puberty?

Your breasts may be the first thing that develops during puberty, even before you get your first period.
You may find that you will not reach your full breast size until you are in your late teens or even into your early 20s.

What do normal breasts look like?

Lots of people feel self-conscious about their breasts, but there is no one normal way for breasts to look.
Breasts come in all different sizes, shapes, and colours.
It is totally fine for one breast to be a bit bigger than the other. Sometimes the size of your breasts will equal out after you are finished puberty, but sometimes not.
There are as many different breasts as there are faces, or hands, or belly buttons!

Can I change the way my breasts look?

The best way to love your body is to be comfortable with it. If you are unhappy with how your breasts look, try to change the way you think about your body instead of changing the way it looks.
If you want to make your breasts look bigger, you can wear a padded bra or add tissue or other stuffing inside your bra.
If you want to make your breasts look smaller you can bind them more closely to your chest.
You may also find that your breasts shrink or grow if you lose or gain weight.
Surgery is pretty much the only way to change the way your breasts look, and may be done to reduce breast size, for example, if the size of your breasts is causing you physical pain. (Surgery can also be done to increase breast size however, most cosmetic surgeons will not perform breast enhancement surgery on people under age 18 because their breasts are still developing.)

When and how do I get a bra?

Wearing a bra or not is your choice. When your breasts become a certain size, you might want to start wearing one, but the decision is up to you.
Bras come in many different styles, such as sports bras, padded bras, push-up bras, etc. You may get several different styles so you have options depending on what outfit you are wearing, how active you are planning to be, or even your mood.
The best place to buy a bra is at a store where there are sales people who can help you. Don’t be afraid to talk to the sales person about what size bra to buy – they’re experts, after all!
It may also help to ask someone who’s used to wearing bras to help you, which could apply to an older sibling, parent, or a family friend.

Help! My breasts keep changing! What’s happening?

The main reason your breasts change is because of changes in your hormones such as just before, during and after your period or during pregnancy when they may swell and grow larger. They may also feel heavier, or be sensitive.
You may find that changes in temperature may cause your breasts to look or feel different.
Weight loss or weight gain may also cause your breasts to change in size.
Just like the skin on other parts of your body, breasts are susceptible to pimples or dry skin as well.

Useful Tip

Although your breasts may still be growing and changing, it is a good idea to get to know how they feel and look so you know what is normal for you. If you are worried about changes to your breasts don’t hesitate to check with your health care provider.

If you have questions about this topic, feel free to contact one of our peer educators. [Link]

*We know that these aren’t the words everyone uses for their bodies (eg. trans folks), and support you using the language that feels best for you.

Last Edited: October 2021

As a middle school teacher, Rebecca Garner spent a lot of time with teenagers. Inspired by the reality of navigating puberty and feeling understood, she wrote a story about Emma Bishopâ€”a normal teen with normal experiences.

Garner is a self-proclaimed weirdo, perfectionist, and proud Hufflepuff. She currently lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband, her fiery three-year-old daughter (who will someday be a teenager), her cat, Albus, and her dog, Nellie. You can connect with Garner at rebeccagarnerauthor.com and on social media (@rebeccagarner_author).

My breasts are small. Can I make them larger?
– Britta*

Just like eye color or height, a girl's genes decide her breast side. If you're in your teens, your breasts may still grow and change, but they may also have reached their final size. You won't know until you've finished growing. For most girls, that's in their late teens to early twenties.

Many products claim to boost breast size, but save your money: They don't work. Some girls are happier with their appearance when they wear padded bras. Others find that certain styles of tops and dresses are more flattering than others.

If you're concerned about the size or development of your breasts, talk to your doctor or gynecologist. Everyone goes through times when they don't like parts of their bodies — it's a normal part of getting used to a changing body. Even girls with large breasts can be unhappy and wish their breasts were smaller. Some find that their backs or shoulders hurt or that large breasts attract unwanted attention.

The only way to permanently change breast size is through cosmetic surgery, which comes with its own risks (and expense). Doctors usually prefer that girls wait until development is complete before getting surgery.

*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.

Worried your breasts are too small or are developing too slowly?

Boobs are a big deal. Except when they’re not. If you’re worried your breasts are too small or are taking forever to develop, we’re here to help.

Where Are My Boobs?

Firstly, let’s take a minute to remember that boobs come in all shapes and sizes. They also develop at different times so try not to worry if your best friend is already sporting a C cup and you’re still wearing a training bra. Everyone is different and everyone develops at their own pace. Some women can be in their late teens or even into their twenties before their body is fully developed.

Secondly, bear in mind that development can happen very quickly. One minute you can be flat as an ironing board, the next minute you notice your breasts have taken a growth spurt and you’re having to be fitted for a larger bra. So, try to be patient… your boobs could be on their way!

Sometimes speedy growth can cause stretch marks and this can be upsetting but try to remember that they will fade over time from dark red or purple to a light, silvery tone. Read more about stretch marks here.

My Breasts Are Wonky

If your breasts are coming in wonky, try not to panic. It’s very common to have one boob bigger than the other, especially while they’re developing. You can always pad one side of your bra while you wait for the other to catch up. If you think your breasts are fully developed and they’re still noticeably mismatched in size, go see your doctor for advice. Most women have one breast slightly larger than the other, but if your breasts are fully developed and differ by two cup sizes or more, you could consider surgery, but unfortunately, this isn’t routinely available on the NHS

Good Things Come In Small Packages

If you think your body has developed fully and you’re unhappy with your smaller breasts, there are simple hacks you can try to achieve a fuller look. There are lots of brilliant bras and underwear available to make you feel more confident – a good push-up bra can help you achieve the cleavage you want and nobody can rock a beautiful lacy bralette like a smaller-breasted gal!

If being small-breasted is really affecting your confidence or mood, make an appointment with your doctor to talk over your concerns. You can ask to speak to a female GP if it makes you feel more comfortable. Try not to feel embarrassed – your doctor has seen hundreds (if not thousands) of pairs of breasts during their lifetime and no two pairs look exactly alike. Your doctor is there to help you, not judge you.