What are breast buds?

In the medical community, the breast development process is referred to as “thelarche,” which is pronounced “thee-LAR-key.” (This term can come in handy if you ever want to research the issue on the Internet. If you type in “thelarche,” you’ll be directed to good, informative medical Web sites. However, if you type in any search term that includes the words “women’s breasts,” you’ll be directed to Web sites that will make you blush.)

The word “thelarche” is a Greek word that simply means “beginning of breast development.” This process starts with breast budding, which usually happens when a girl is between the ages of 8 and 10. However, some girls’ breast buds appear significantly later in puberty, and as surprising as it may seem, breast development that begins as early as age 3 may not be deemed abnormal.

The appearance of breast buds will typically occur around the same time that your daughter undergoes a growth spurt. This budding process begins when a hormone known as estradiol starts coursing through your daughter’s body. It’s this hormone that causes your daughter’s once boy-like figure to begin hinting at its future femininity.