Thelarche
Thelarche is when female humans develop full breasts. It happens from about 9-15 years of age today, although in the past it began at age 12. This usually begins when girls are about 9[1]. A lump that is a bit hard appears in each breast under the areola, which is the dark ring around the nipple. The lump in one breast may grow before the other one.[2] This is called breast budding.[3] Within 6-12 months, both breasts will have started growing. The swelling can be felt and seen outside the edges of the areolae. About 1 and a half to 2 years after the breasts first start growing, they are close to the shape and size of an adult woman's breasts. The nipple and areola may be on a smaller mound on each breast. This small mound usually goes away when each breast is fully grown.[4] Breast size depends on the body's amount of fat.[3][5]
- ↑ Olson, Ginny Teenage Girls: Exploring Issues Adolescent Girls Face and Strategies to help them https://books.google.com/books?id=miQ5iJnXDKkC&pg=PT30&dq=girls+breasts+start+growing+10+years&hl=en&sa=X&ei=YhDgVKffF4qmyAT6q4CgDQ&ved=0CB0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
- ↑ Marshall, Human Growth, p. 187.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Anne Byers (2007). "How do Girls' Bodies Change during Puberty?", Frequently Asked Questions about Puberty. New York, N.Y.: Rosen Publishing, 26–33 at 27. ISBN 978-1-4042-0966-4. .
- ↑ Marshall, Human Growth, p. 188.
- ↑ See also Normal breast development. 007 Breasts. Retrieved on 2 May 2010.