Advice

Boobs come in all shapes and sizes and have lots of silly nicknames. But what are they actually for and when do they arrive? Get clued-up on all things boob-related here...

What are they for?

• Looking good: Most women say their breasts are their best bits.
• Feeling good: Nipples are erogenous zones. They stand out when you're turned on (and when it's cold)
• Tasting good: Making milk for future babies, I mean.

What they're not for

Leering at, jeering at or even cheering at. They're just for you and those you want to get close to.

When do girls start growing boobs?

Breasts must be important - they're usually the first sign of puberty. For most girls they start changing around 10 or 11 years old, but anytime between 8 and 15 is fine.

First, the area around the nipple (called the areola) swells and darkens. A breast 'bud' develops underneath as the boobs start to grow. Tiny glands looking like bumps appear on the areola.

Breasts may look like cones for a bit but they round out after a year or so. They may hurt or tingle a bit whilst they're growing. Most breasts reach their full potential at 18.

Can I do anything to change their size?

Apart from major surgery, there's nothing you can do to change your breast size. Exercise doesn't work because your breasts have no muscles (that's why you can't move them) which is why God invented padded bras...

When will I need a bra?

As soon as you can feel your boobs wobbling when you walk. But even then, you don't have to wear a bra - it won't damage your breasts if you don't.

But most women chose to because they:-

• Look Good. Any shape is possible from natural and sporty to bras that lift separate or plunge.
• Are Comfy. Especially when doing sport

For your boobs to be properly supported your bra needs to be the right size. Most department stores, underwear shops and some big shops like Marks and Spencer offer a free measuring service.

If you're nervous, you can find out exactly what happens at a bra fitting here.

What's normal

• One breast may be bigger than another.
• Nipples may be dark or pale and sometimes have hair around them.
• All sorts of shapes and sizes are normal (the average for all women in the UK is a 34C).

Finally...

Breasts are everywhere, in adverts, on TV, in mags, and it's easy to feel inadequate. Remember, no one really looks like Lara Croft. Even Page 3 Girls admit to needing tape to shape sometimes. Believe me, most perfect looking breasts are a little too perfect to be real. And there's nothing more attractive than a girl who's happy and confident with her own body. Learn to love what you've got.