When people talk about breasts, it’s usually about how they look on the outside—but there’s a lot going on inside too!
As you grow up, your body starts to change—and one of those changes is breast development.
You might be wondering, what are breasts made of? or why do they feel different sometimes? Don’t worry! This guide will help you understand what’s going on inside your body in a way that’s easy to understand.
Inside your breasts is something called fatty tissue. This is what gives breasts their shape and softness. When you’re younger, your breasts might feel firmer because they’re still growing. As you get older, they may feel softer. Your breast size can also change if your body weight changes, and that’s totally normal!
Even though breasts don’t have muscles inside, there are muscles behind them that help support your chest. These are called pectoral muscles, and they help keep your breasts lifted and in place.
You also have tiny parts called lymph nodes that help your body stay healthy. They clean up extra fluid and help fight off germs. You can’t see or feel them, but they’re doing important work!
Inside your breasts are small parts called lobules and ducts. These are used to make and carry milk if you ever choose to breastfeed when you're older. Right now, they’re just part of how your body is growing and getting ready for the future.
The areola is the darker circle around your nipple. During puberty, it might get bigger or change colour. That’s normal! You might also see tiny bumps on it—those are called Montgomery glands, and they help keep your skin soft.
Your nipple is very sensitive and can stick out when you’re cold or if something touches it. That’s because it has lots of tiny nerve endings.
Your body is growing in its own special way, and that’s something to be proud of! Learning about breast anatomy and puberty changes helps you understand yourself better...and that’s a great thing.
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Breasts are mostly made of fatty tissue, milk glands (lobules), and milk ducts. They don’t have muscles inside, but there are muscles behind them that help support the chest.
The areola is the darker circle around your nipple. During puberty, it might get larger or darker—this is a normal part of breast development.
Those are called Montgomery glands. They help keep the skin around your nipple soft and healthy, kind of like natural moisturisers.
As your breasts and nipples develop, your skin is stretching and changing. This can sometimes make the nipple and areola (the darker area around the nipple) look dry or cracked. Don't be tempted to pick at this area, simply wash with warm soapy water.
If you notice a small amount of milky or clear fluid coming from your nipples, it can feel surprising, but it’s not always something to worry about. This is called nipple discharge, and it sometimes happens during puberty when your body is going through lots of hormonal changes.
No,, a small bump or knock to your breasts won’t cause any damage. As your breasts grow during puberty, they can feel a bit sore or tender, so a knock might hurt for a moment, but it’s usually nothing serious.
