Should I let my trans tween wear a binder?
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Anonymous
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They hate the look of their size C boobs. They’re only 11 but pretty clear they want to be a boy or at least, not so visibly a girl. I don’t think they know binders exist.
What are the health risks of wearing them? I understand good binders are healthier than wrapping yourself in ace bandages. We are not there yet. I want to be supportive without furthering their dysmorphia. |
Anonymous
| They are supposed to be pretty bad for your lungs/heart. |
Anonymous
| How about an elongated sports bra that smashes things flat. Mildly in the right direction but not introducing the idea that breasts are ugly and to be gotten rid of. |
Anonymous
| OP, where are you? Your best best would be to get a good recommendation on a pediatrician with experience in this area. Also maybe PFLAG. |
Anonymous
| OP if you’re in Fairfax County, I’d check with the Inova Pride Clinic. |
Anonymous
| They make you look like a 60 yo woman that breasts fed 10 babies. |
Anonymous
Okay. OP here. I have a friend who is a pediatrician who does this work. I’ll ask her. |
Anonymous
| The HRC has a lot of info for parents on binders as well as a shop that sells safe binders. Might be worth a look |
Anonymous
| My daughter was also a C cup from an early age. She never wanted to be a boy but found sports bras more comfortable. I wouldn’t suggest binders if your daughter isn’t asking for them. Her favorite is the Nike swoosh and she has them in a few colors, wears daily to school even as a teen. |
Anonymous
| I have no personal or even second hand experience, but I've heard of trans tape as an alternative to binding. It's skin-safe tape applied in a specific way to minimize breasts, and I don't think it has the same effect on lungs/breathing because it doesn't go all the way around. I've also seen various resources online addressing safe binding. |
Anonymous
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My daughter wore a binder intermittently for a few years. She’s 18 now and just wears a sports bra. We didn’t make it a big deal. I never thought about forbidding it.
But as someone who has had a bigger chest since a teen, I understand the urge to clamp them down a bit. I’m in no way trans, but a lot of times a big chest can be annoying, embarrassing, unflattering and even a little painful. Let her try out some options. |
Anonymous
| If she’s not asking don’t offer. Follow their lead. Why would you want to introduce that? I agree with a sports bra which might just be a nice comfortable option for them anyway. |
Anonymous
| 11 is really young to develop. It's possible that she's getting a lot of unwanted attention. I would talk to her about this first. I like the idea of a sports bra too, but if she wants to wear it I would certainly not try to forbid it. You want to keep communication open. |
Anonymous
Sorry for misgendering, I should have said they instead. |
Anonymous
| I’d start with a really good sports bra instead |