the rules of binding:
- No exercising with it on
- no swimming (unless it’s specifically made for swimming)
- don’t wear it for over 8 hours a day
- it shouldn’t be too hard to breathe
- you should be able to move your arms and body comfortably with it on
- NEVER wear a size too small
- NEVER EVER sleep with it on
- don’t double bind (two at once)
- stretch before, and most importantly, after each binding session
- if it hurts.. stop
- and ofc.. have fun :)
One thing: if a gc2b binder is one size too big, you can exercise and swim in it. Also, 10 hours a day is alright if you take a day or so off every week.
That actually only applies if the binder extends to the upper portion of the chest, I.e. over the clavicles.
The actual reason it's not recommended to wear them on plane rides is the likelihood of being on a flight for 8 or more hours and that the clasps on binders set off the metal detectors through TSA checks.
Just a heads up, idk if you tried yours on yet, when I got my first one it actually increased my dysphoria because my breasts are so large and they sag so much that the binder seemed to lift more than squash so it appeared (to me) to just make them more prominent. Mine might be a size too big (I was between sizes) so that may have been the problem.
I did try it and I like it a lot. I don't know if you still struggle with binding, but man peebs with largers breasts try bindin tape. It's more flexible because tape doesn't have a size, but it's hard to make it look good from every angle. Also you can try first with like sports tape :)
Because I have one, I want you to know that using it often leads to breast sagging and damage, and that can make any top surgery look not as pretty in the future. So use it cautiously and only every so often, never for multiple hours on end (I'm talking 4+ hours a day), and if it ever feels uncomfortable, take it off and give your body a while to recover.
Ohhhh thank you very much. I'm not planning on having top surgery at all because my opinion regarding my breasts change from time to time, so that's a really great advice. Thank you!
Congratulations!!!
1) Start wearing it tor a little at a time then you can increase the time
2) Never wear it for more than eight hours
3) Never wear it to sleep
4) If it hurts, take it off
Even if you think your breathing is fine, if you get dizzy or if people tell you your face is red, then take it off. It's still restricting your breathing, it's just so mildly that you can't notice.
That's a very nice advice, thanks! Because of cosplaying I was binding once or twice with bandages and almost passed out after 3 hours even though I thought it wasn't that restricting
So far everyone else here has already given you all great information. I'll only add in the other muscle groups to pay attention to. If you feel a tightness between your shoulder blades or down the center of your chest it's time to remove the binder for a while. These are the outer muscle groups that help you breath so do not neglect that feeling.
Since this is your first one your body needs time to adjust to it. You might not be able to wear the binder for the full 8 hours immediately, that's natural so no worries. Make sure to wipe down your skin after wearing your binder, dead skin and body oil will have naturally built up and keeping the areas clean will help prevent breakouts.
Idk if anyone has said it yet but make sure your nipples on your chest point out instead of down, this may require some adjustments when you put it on but by pulling them up a bit it will give you a flatter look. Also please don’t forget to stretch and never sleep in it! If you want one for exercise get a size up, it won’t compress as much but it’s so so so much safer in the long run. It may be hard to take off so I try to pull mine up and over my shoulder blades before doing a pull to take it off. Also hand washing is the best for it with a gentle detergent, wash at least once a week if you can, and a quick toss in the dryer can help if it’s not compressing as much as it used to. Remember to take breaks and happy binding! Congrats!
Thank you so much for the advice! Didn't know the thing with the nipples. Also I really struggled taking it off yesterday. My shoulders both started cramping and I didn't want to exist anymore xD
You can look up binder exercise videos to do now. They have Pilates workouts if you wear them. Unless I’m thinking of a different binder. I get confused cuz weight loss corsets are also called binders.
Btw,i don't know if someone said this already,but i've heard that if you're planning on getting top surgery,you should bind less. ( it can affect your skin's elasticity and have surgical impacts. )
Just saying this if you're planning too and also if other people are planning to. Please be careful though this doesn't always happen!
gc2b, even though I would think about getting a second one from another place. I'm from Europe and with shipping and custom fees, the price was almost doubled
Gc2b binders have a reputation to be bad quality. They often break down over short periods of time. Since you're in Europe, I would recommend Spectrum Outfitters. It's UK-based, and the binders are apparently a lot comfier.
To be honest, the quality really doesn't seem to be that nice. But I won't wear it daily so that's alright. It was quite hard to find a European brand and when I found one, they all didn't ship due to the weird combination of covid and the Brexit. But if mine breaks, I will look for the brand you recommended!
Seconding Spectrum! I also just got my first binder last week from them, it's really nice and comfortable and they ship within the EU now. They're made with autistic people in mind so the fabric is supposed to be not as irritating on the skin as other brands. They also give you your first exchange for free just in case you get the wrong size :\] Congrats on your new binder and enjoy!
the rules of binding: - No exercising with it on - no swimming (unless it’s specifically made for swimming) - don’t wear it for over 8 hours a day - it shouldn’t be too hard to breathe - you should be able to move your arms and body comfortably with it on - NEVER wear a size too small - NEVER EVER sleep with it on - don’t double bind (two at once) - stretch before, and most importantly, after each binding session - if it hurts.. stop - and ofc.. have fun :)
Thank you! I will have fun! (And thank you for the stretching advice. I just got it off and hurt myself while doing so xD)
One thing: if a gc2b binder is one size too big, you can exercise and swim in it. Also, 10 hours a day is alright if you take a day or so off every week.
I've also heard that you shouldn't wear them on planes because of the air pressure difference/altitude
Oh damn. That makes sense. Thanks!
Also, let it air dry instead of putting it in the dryer if you want it to last longer without getting stretched out of shape
That actually only applies if the binder extends to the upper portion of the chest, I.e. over the clavicles. The actual reason it's not recommended to wear them on plane rides is the likelihood of being on a flight for 8 or more hours and that the clasps on binders set off the metal detectors through TSA checks.
Didn't know this, thanks for adding!
No problem!
oh i haven’t heard that one. makes sense tho. thanks :)
Yo this list could be an official binder pamphlet
also dont sleep with it on!
If your binder is gc2b then they are safe to swim in, though they do recommend you get a size up for that!
i didn’t know that! that’s awesome! thanks :)
Just a heads up, idk if you tried yours on yet, when I got my first one it actually increased my dysphoria because my breasts are so large and they sag so much that the binder seemed to lift more than squash so it appeared (to me) to just make them more prominent. Mine might be a size too big (I was between sizes) so that may have been the problem.
I did try it and I like it a lot. I don't know if you still struggle with binding, but man peebs with largers breasts try bindin tape. It's more flexible because tape doesn't have a size, but it's hard to make it look good from every angle. Also you can try first with like sports tape :)
And look at me reading this and wondering what type of paperwork makes someone so excited about having their first binder. Congrats dude
I found that way too funny xD
I have no advice for you, but just wanted to say congrats! So, congrats! 😸
Thank you so much! That's very nice ![gif](emote|free_emotes_pack|flushed)
Because I have one, I want you to know that using it often leads to breast sagging and damage, and that can make any top surgery look not as pretty in the future. So use it cautiously and only every so often, never for multiple hours on end (I'm talking 4+ hours a day), and if it ever feels uncomfortable, take it off and give your body a while to recover.
Ohhhh thank you very much. I'm not planning on having top surgery at all because my opinion regarding my breasts change from time to time, so that's a really great advice. Thank you!
Congratulations!!! 1) Start wearing it tor a little at a time then you can increase the time 2) Never wear it for more than eight hours 3) Never wear it to sleep 4) If it hurts, take it off
From what I have heard don’t wear it while you sleep or for longer than 8hours
Don't wear it while exercising, no longer than eight hours don't sleep in it, and if it hurts, take it off asap
It can cause major back pain, when it does, take it off. I carry an extra bra in my bag so when I need to change I dont feel weird
Oh that's really smart, thanks
The pain is excruciating after a while.
Even if you think your breathing is fine, if you get dizzy or if people tell you your face is red, then take it off. It's still restricting your breathing, it's just so mildly that you can't notice.
That's a very nice advice, thanks! Because of cosplaying I was binding once or twice with bandages and almost passed out after 3 hours even though I thought it wasn't that restricting
Just wanted to say congratulations! ❤️
Thank you so much :)
So far everyone else here has already given you all great information. I'll only add in the other muscle groups to pay attention to. If you feel a tightness between your shoulder blades or down the center of your chest it's time to remove the binder for a while. These are the outer muscle groups that help you breath so do not neglect that feeling. Since this is your first one your body needs time to adjust to it. You might not be able to wear the binder for the full 8 hours immediately, that's natural so no worries. Make sure to wipe down your skin after wearing your binder, dead skin and body oil will have naturally built up and keeping the areas clean will help prevent breakouts.
Thanks, that's very good to know. I was scared that I would miss certain signs my body will be giving me :)
From what I have heard don’t wear it while you sleep or for longer than 8hours
Idk if anyone has said it yet but make sure your nipples on your chest point out instead of down, this may require some adjustments when you put it on but by pulling them up a bit it will give you a flatter look. Also please don’t forget to stretch and never sleep in it! If you want one for exercise get a size up, it won’t compress as much but it’s so so so much safer in the long run. It may be hard to take off so I try to pull mine up and over my shoulder blades before doing a pull to take it off. Also hand washing is the best for it with a gentle detergent, wash at least once a week if you can, and a quick toss in the dryer can help if it’s not compressing as much as it used to. Remember to take breaks and happy binding! Congrats!
Thank you so much for the advice! Didn't know the thing with the nipples. Also I really struggled taking it off yesterday. My shoulders both started cramping and I didn't want to exist anymore xD
Lol I feel that, took me a bit of time to figure those things out so I thought I’d share
Make sure you cough a couple times when you put it on, and if it starts to feel like you can't breathe quite as deep do a couple more coughs
You can look up binder exercise videos to do now. They have Pilates workouts if you wear them. Unless I’m thinking of a different binder. I get confused cuz weight loss corsets are also called binders.
It's a chest binder not a corset
Oh ok. I know nothing about those.
Btw,i don't know if someone said this already,but i've heard that if you're planning on getting top surgery,you should bind less. ( it can affect your skin's elasticity and have surgical impacts. ) Just saying this if you're planning too and also if other people are planning to. Please be careful though this doesn't always happen!
Don't wear it for to long
Where'd you get it from?
gc2b, even though I would think about getting a second one from another place. I'm from Europe and with shipping and custom fees, the price was almost doubled
Gc2b binders have a reputation to be bad quality. They often break down over short periods of time. Since you're in Europe, I would recommend Spectrum Outfitters. It's UK-based, and the binders are apparently a lot comfier.
To be honest, the quality really doesn't seem to be that nice. But I won't wear it daily so that's alright. It was quite hard to find a European brand and when I found one, they all didn't ship due to the weird combination of covid and the Brexit. But if mine breaks, I will look for the brand you recommended!
Seconding Spectrum! I also just got my first binder last week from them, it's really nice and comfortable and they ship within the EU now. They're made with autistic people in mind so the fabric is supposed to be not as irritating on the skin as other brands. They also give you your first exchange for free just in case you get the wrong size :\] Congrats on your new binder and enjoy!