Is my child too young to bind? When is it safe?

Q: Is my child too young to bind? When is it safe?

There are not yet any longitudinal studies on the impact of chest binding on bodies that are still developing. Until that data exists, I can share best practices and observations from teenage clients in my clinical practice as well as some general information for you to make the best decision.

Since people grow and develop at different rates during puberty there is no specific age that binding becomes safe. I recommend that a person of any age wear the least amount of compression to get results which support their gender expression.

Early in a person’s chest development when chest tissue is smaller, a compression shirt or sports bra might be sufficient compression. This will not damage their muscle and bone development and is common among cisgender girls in early puberty.

As their chest has become larger and they need more compression, many young people begin wearing sports bras which are one or more sizes too small. These overly-tight sports bras can do more damage to the ribcage than binders (read more here- link to “are sports bras safer? LINK). At this point, I recommend moving to a properly-sized binder from a reputable company.

Binders come in a range of compression levels and as they are developing more chest tissue they may graduate through low, moderate, and heavy compression.

Kinetic tape method of binding is an excellent option for developing bodies if you are concerned that you don’t have enough information to make an informed decision for your child. Check out Transtape.info for excellent explanations and tutorials about using kinetic tape.

Hypermobility joint disorders are being diagnosed with greater frequency in young people. These conditions impact collagen production so compression can cause shifting of the positions of bones in the torso (particularly ribcage and collarbones). Low compression options or kinetic tape are advised for people with HJD and you should consult with your child’s doctor to make a plan that relieves their dysphoria without causing lasting damage.

Find the right binder

Research which companies might be best for your child’s level of development with our Binder Finder tool which catalogs 52 characteristics of binders and reputable companies that sell each style.

Is it normal to have pain when you first start binding?

Q: I just started binding. I have been taking breaks and have only worn it for 2 days for less than 8 hours and I am having a lot of chest and shoulder pain and a hard time breathing. Is pain normal when you first start binding?

A: The pain you are experiencing and the difficulty breathing indicate that your binder is not a good fit. When you first start binding, there can be some initial soreness as you adjust but the pain that you are describing is most likely an indication that you are wearing a binder that is too small.

I want to applaud you for easing into binding and taking breaks, those are two of the things that can prevent pain and discomfort. I recommend wearing your new binder for a few hours at a time for the first 2 weeks and testing what it feels like to do the activities that are most common in your day to day life. In this way, the body adjusts and you learn when, where and how to wear/not wear your new binder.

I cannot provide medical advice but I advise discontinuing wearing it entirely and evaluate whether the pain subsides. Often it takes several days to stop feeling soreness after hours spent in a binder that is too small. If you are experiencing sharp, stabbing pain in your ribcage, see a doctor, physical therapist or chiropractor.

You can read more about finding the right binder size in “How do I know if I am getting the right size binder?”