Advice on Binding....?

Hey, I'll try my best to answer your questions

To answer the question, 'should you bind': You should bind if you want to. I don't think there's really anything else to say. It's all up to you and what you feel comfortable with. I don't think it's great to do if you're sick with the flu or something, apparently it can increase the risk for pneumonia but I don't know how true that is. I wouldn't risk it though :lol: I generally don't want to bind when I'm sick anyway.

There are a few methods of binding I've heard of:
1. I suppose the best option would be to get an actual binder but if you are unable to obtain one at the moment, it's not a big deal.

2. Sports bra method: Use tight-fitting sports bras (not too tight, about one size too small), place one on normally and put the other on backwards. I always wear baggy shirts about two or three sizes too big or layer my shirts on top of this.

3. Apparently you can also use neoprene back braces. Honestly, I tried neoprene and it didn't work out for me, you might have better luck.

4. Sports compression shirts. I don't have much to say, I've never tried it.

Don't: Use bandages to bind as this can break ribs and cause damage to chest/lung tissue, use duct tape to bind, wear a binder to sleep, wear a binder during exercise, wear a binder for more than eight hours. Also, I'm not sure if this one is a problem but I've heard of people using saran wrap and I can't imagine it's healthy

I don't know if safe binding causes any issues. If you have pain, you should stop. Unsafe methods can cause broken ribs and damage to the chest and lungs. When I was young and stupid (13, 14?), I used several methods that weren't great and didn't follow instructions correctly :/ I ended up developing chronic costochondritis which is another complication, it's not life-threatening but it is annoying. I don't want to scare you away or anything, it's just important to know how to properly bind You shouldn't have any problems correctly using a proper binder or the sports bra method, binders are designed for it and I know a lot of people use sports bras. I've used it for a year without any problems.

Good luck, hope I've helped

 

If you're still growing quickly, I would hold off on binding until yr growth spurt ends. It can negatively effect skin elasticity, etc. If your ribs/band size is what's changing, I would be ESPECIALLY careful, because if you bind too tight, etc, it can warp growing ribs. BUT if you really have to, I would use the sports bra method, because it's the safest in terms of these things. And as Spot said, don't EVER use ace bandages, and for now until you're done growing for the most part, I would avoid "real" binders.
Another thing you need to be aware of is the fact that consistent binding (as in, nearly every day) will cause your chest to sag, and that part is really unavoidable.
I've been binding since I was 12 off and on (also genderfluid, though when I started when I was 12 I thought I still thought I was female). Back then Underworks didn't even have an F2M section, and gc2b didn't exist at all, so I ended up using too-small sports bras and the first time my mom saw my chest while I was changing into a swimsuit after binding like that for around a year, she was horrified by the sagging.
So, do be mindful of that.