Binding Breasts

A commenter on Glinner's substack had a good slap-down of that particular bit of idiocy

This is the standard of their usual logic - binders are the same as sports bras. But 'people' wearing binders may need to be excused from sports lessons.

Who buys a sports bra so they then can't play sport? Nobody. So they aren't sports bras, are they? They are devices that crush the chest, making breathing difficult.

However, at this point I think it is fair to say that MishyJDI has the same level of intellectual ability to put forward an evidenced argument as India Willoughby.

Well done Mishy! Well done.

Yes I remember you saying this on another thread. You’re like a stuck record.

Yes and it didn't flatten my breasts.
A "chestbinder" is not a benign sports bra. The purpose of a chestbinder is to flatten the chest. The purpose of a sports bra is to support the breast whilst exercising.

Try again.

I couldn’t get past the photo. So very upsetting.

so why are you trying to police how a trans person views their body? Now there is a thought.

What the actual fuck? Have you put any effort into thinking about this?

You are on a parenting forum, telling mostly mothers and women that we should, what, not stop our daughters (general our) wearing binders?

Do you honestly ever think beyond the superficial? You are fucking on MUMSNET!

Now here is a thought!

Parents need to know the side effects of binders. AND they need to ‘police’ what their daughters are wearing if they are wearing binders.

Fuck off with ‘they are just like sports bras’, too.

Stop spreading harmful misinformation about binders!

The men pushing this have absolutely no idea. They've never had a mammogram, they don't know what flattening your breasts even remotely feels like.

And for many men, of course, a lacy bra is just a paraphilia aid.

Mishy doesn't realise that a bra actually has a purpose if they think a binder and a sports bra are interchangeable.

@MishyJDI see the advice here from the Cleveland Clinic which suggested layering multiple sports bras to achieve the same effect as a binder.it then goes on to list the copious negative side effects of binding.

health.clevelandclinic.org/safe-chest-binding/

Once they are deformed there is no going back, it must make the body dysmorphia worse. No child should be wearing a binder

Pretty much everything about trans affirmation seems to be about making sure that life is as negative as possible. Bind your breasts so you can't participate in life. Damage your body, remove fertility, remove sexual function All things that ensure there's no way back and your feelings about your body are worse than ever. And of course the attempt to control the eyes ears and thoughts of everyone around you alienating friends ajd family with demands they pretend their reality no.longer exists.

What possible positive outcomes are there really . It really is one big " misery lives company" fest.

I was taught how to breast bind 30 years ago. It was sometimes referred to as strapping.

I did it for support to participate in sports as I could not buy a sports bra in my size.

It was emphasised that the purpose was not to compress but to support. Basically the material was wrapped under the bust and then across and over the shoulders.

I was told that if it restricted my movement or breathing it was too tight and I should readjust.

That was the breast binding similar to wearing a sports bra.

I once had to strap down my bust to fit in a costume for a play. OMG it bloody hurt, thankfully I was only in it for a couple of weeks for a few hours at a time.

Stop minimising what is now classed as breast binding. If it was just like wearing a sports bra there would be no need for binders.

What Datun said above, plus - sports bras are worn for sport. They aren't worn all day, every day.

Perhaps it should be called a compression device. You can buy compression clothing like vests got autistics who like pressure. There are strict rules 30 minutes at a time I believe. Nothing like tight clothing.

I think if you deform your breasts (as in those before and after pics) by using a binder then you are more likely to want to slice your breasts off. Once they are deformed there is no going back, it must make the body dysmorphia worse. No child should be wearing a binder.

@MishyJDI

Why would anyone need mermaids to send them a binder if they can get a sports bra from Asda or primark?

You are so full of crap. And as PP said, I think what you are in favour of promoting to developing children is evil.

Yes THANK YOU chlorinechris

Bigger boobs often can't do compression bras at all for sport because even correctly fitted ones can end up making you feel suffocated. The ones I use are pretty firm and have moulded cups to prevent as much movement as possible but they really don't minimise the breasts. Because our lungs are under them. Our ribcages need to be able to expand properly to breathe deeply. A whole heap of squashed breast tissue pushed into this most vital of areas doesn't feel good at all.

Not just sports. Normal, deep breathing is essential for health. Shallow breathing leads to anxiety and headaches.

If an adult female wants to punish her body like this due to our horrendously misogynist society I'm sad but I also fucking get it.

No sane human would support doing this to children.

We need to fix gender - the system of oppressive stereotypes that keeps women & girls subservient, which leads to misogyny and homophobia - before we "fix" children's bodies.

@MishyJDI this is just beyond the pale! Daft as a brush nonsense.

I've worn sports bras ever since my teens, including through periods of pregnancy and even had to get a front opening one for breastfeeding. They have never done anything like flattening my profile to help me appear more masculine. Mine have actual cups (albeit reinforced for those of us with bigger norks), straps and clasps exactly like my normal bra. I have breastfed 3 children throughout I am large of bust and v active and for that reason spend a lot of money on making sure my breasts are well supported comfortably in v good quality sports bras.

Likening my wearing of a sports bra and the impact they have on my body (protecting and supporting, ensuring comfort) and my activities (allowing me to run long distances several times a week, climb, dog walk, perform an active manual job) to that of the stated purpose and desired impact of binders is just utter rubbish.

Sports bras..ffs

Sports bras help women participate in sports. Sport/exercise is amazing for health and well being. And has very positive effects on mental health too! The added benefit of exercise classes too is social interaction/conversations/connection to those around you.

Binders on the other hand ensure that the female child who is wearing it can not participate in sport. Is probably alone inside while their peers are out in the sun getting fit and healthy and benefiting from sunlight and fresh air. At best they are alone in bedrooms on the Internet talking to God knows who, Isolated and depressed and minus any health benefits

anyone who claims they cant see a difference is lying..

To be honest, I wouldn't expect males who don't have breasts, but might enjoy wearing a bra, to understand the first thing about the reason why women wear bras and sports bras.

If mermaids were giving away sports bras I doubt anyone would have an issue whatsoever

binders are just like sports bras must be an outright lie, i always wonder what other lies are being told

Absolutely

no difference whatsoever…apparently

i mean is that the absolute best they can come up with?

I’ve just looked at those before and after pics. I know breasts come in all shapes and sizes and are not always even, but is anyone else struck by quite how many “befores” look undeveloped or partially developed or unevenly developed. I assume development has been arrested by puberty blockers, and I recall that the early stages of breast development were the times I felt most revulsion and hatred of by breasts. Does blocking worsen this element of dysphoria?

Genuine question. Aside from cultural and, arguably, avoiding being sexualised as a woman (though that might be a similarity), what is the difference between breast binding and breast ironing?

Little difference? Don’t be ridiculous.

I have a student who struggles to complete parts of the hands on course due to the pain and discomfort of her breast binding. This is 'pandered to' by the college.

Of course it's wrong. And it's spouted by people who have never worn one (or been to a gym).

I wouldn't say it's dangerous, particularly, on this thread, though. Because obviously everyone is showing it up for the really stupidly tedious tactic it is.

Sports bras are designed to help women and girls compete in sport. Hence 'sports' bra.

They're incredibly common, because you wear them for tennis, aerobics, gym work outs, the lot.

Binders come with a warning to specifically refrain from sport if you are wearing one, as it restricts your breathing and is therefore dangerous.

I know you know that Beowulfa 😁

I'm just enjoying pointing it out again.

As I never tire of saying, one of the biggest drivers of people becoming gender critical, is what TRAs say.

I've never reported a post on MN, but isn't it just dangerously and fatuously wrong for someone to glibly claim sports bras are the equivalent of binding?

The most famous sports bra was that revealed by Chloe Kelly this summer. Can anyone honestly say she dressed in that for the same purposes as someone binding, with the same results?