Binding

A binder is a compressive chest garment that gives the appearance of a flat(ter) chest. Binding is very common among transgender people, with many people binding daily. For some transgender people, binding is a temporary solution until they can access top surgery. For others, binding is the long term solution, as they want to be able to present with or without a flat chest. There are some safety considerations to keep in mind regarding binding, and considerations to make regarding which type of binder is best for any given individual.

Binding Safety
A binder is designed to compress your chest area. This can, when done without caution, limit a person's breathing, damage their ribs, and lead to lasting problems.

Wear the Correct Size
It is important that the binder fits correctly. Utilise the size guides available when purchasing a binder, and do not hesitate to return or exchange a binder that is not the right size. A well fitting binder is one where the person can put it on and take it off unaided, they can take a deep breath, they can fit two fingers into their binder under their arms, and they are not in pain. A binder that is too small can cause pain, restrict breathing, and at worst damage the ribcage. A binder that is too large may not compress effectively, but may be a preferred option for some individuals. An oversized binder is used by some individuals for activities where exertion is required (see below regarding exercise & exertion while binding), and for some individuals it is more physically comfortable while still providing satisfactory results.

No Exercise or Excessive Exertion
Even with a well-fitted binder, there is a restriction in how much your ribcage can expand while wearing one. As a result, a lot of exercise or exertion leading to heavy breathing could cause injury.

Take Breaks & Do Not Sleep in Binder
It is important to take breaks from binding, as hard as that can be if a person experiences a lot of discomfort about their chest area. Taking breaks gives the body time to relax, gives the ribcage and lungs a chance to expand fully and unrestricted, and reduces the risk of injury from binding. Even short breaks of 15 minutes can make a difference. Community wisdom states that eight hours is the maximum you should be binding continuously in a day. It is also important not to sleep in a binder, as during sleep the breathing and heartbeat slow down, with the risk of injury from the binder increasing.

Do Not Bind While In Pain
If you experience pain while binding, take the binder off. Do not bind again until the pain has subsided. If the pain is persistent, see a medical professional.