Breast Bondage: What Is It and How to Do It

Love boobs? You might just love breast bondage! It’s an intensely sensual (and rather arty) type of bondage that’s all about making boobs the stars of the show.

If it sounds a little intimidating at first, we’ve got good news: it’s actually ideal for beginners, ‘cos you can tailor it to be as intense and kinky (or not!) as you want. Breast bondage can be an intro to more advanced fetish and BDSM play, or simply a celebration of one of the body’s hottest erogenous zones.

As well as looking fabulous, binding the breasts using a harness or rope slows circulation to the area. This heightens sensitivity, making skin extra-sensitive so even the lightest touch can leave you (or your lover) breathless.

Only got time for a quickie?

Need the breast-bondage deets fast? Skim this speedy summary, then skip to the bits you want more info on below:

• Breast bondage involves using a rope harness to slow blood flow to your chest, leaving your boobs feeling super-sensitive.
• It looks gorgeous and there are plenty of pre-made body harnesses out there, if rope-tying isn’t up your street.
• You can accessorise with nipple clamps or suckers to amp up the pleasure even more.
• Breast bondage is a great place to start with BDSM play; try bringing in Dom/sub roleplay or using wrist and ankle restraints to make it even kinkier.
• Make the most of those sensitive boobs by teasing them with ticklers, floggers and vibes. Don’t forget licking, sucking and massaging, too…

Breast bondage is the art of binding – you guessed it! – yours or your lover’s boobs using rope or a body harness. It has its roots in kink, but it doesn’t have to be hardcore. Anyone who loves breast and nipple play can enjoy light breast bondage – for all the reasons you can explore below.

Breast bondage frames and celebrates the boobs, while making them highly sensitive to touch. There are all sorts of reasons to try this erotic bondage style – and some of the benefits might surprise you…

• It looks awesome: Whether you’re using rope or a body harness, breast bondage frames boobs and showcases their shape – like a push-up bra or a low-cut top. The visual contrast of sturdy rope or leather harness straps and the soft curve of breasts can be a turn-on, too.
• It can bring you closer to your lover: The act of binding your lover’s breasts, or being bound, can be a deeply intimate process, especially when using ropes. “Shibari is not just about tying someone up; it's also about connecting with your partner emotionally,” says the Shibari Academy. Plus: it can’t be rushed, and taking the time to bind the breasts before play starts can slowly build a quiet sexual tension, too.
• It’s entry-level BDSM play: Breast bondage is a type of kink that can be relatively beginner-friendly. While binding is involved, your movement isn’t restricted – so any power dynamics you decide to bring in are easy to change or stop at any time. This style of bondage is more about sensation; exploring the feeling of tension and release, pleasure and light pain (if that’s your thing!).
• It works for all cup sizes: Don’t worry if you have smaller boobs; breast bondage works whatever your size. The breasts will stand out and bulge slightly thanks to the binding, which can be flattering and confidence-boosting.
• It can be intensely stimulating… The nipples and areola in particular are packed with nerve endings, in both men and women. And while studies have found that women are more likely to find nipple play arousing, more than half of men surveyed said that nipple stimulation turns them on too – but only 17% have asked a partner to play with their nipples during sex. If you’d love to bring breast and nipple play into your sex life but haven’t brought it up yet, this is your sign to chat to your partner about it!
• …and surprisingly relaxing: Having a lover create an intricate rope harness tailored to your body can be a peaceful process, giving you time to connect calmly before the action starts!

What else can new kinksters try? Read up on bondage ideas

You can get satisfyingly nerdy about rope-tying techniques and how to turn rope into wearable art – or, if you’re looking for bondage for beginners that keeps things nice and simple, there are great options for you too:

Body harnesses

Not ready to jump into learning knots just yet, but want to see if breast bondage could be for you? Body harnesses are the perfect choice for newbies. They’re quick and simple to use, and ideal if you have any dexterity issues too.

There are lots of harness styles to choose from; some are bra harnesses, while others strap up the whole body. You can choose from various materials – leather or chains are popular options. Plan ahead so you can try on your harness well in advance, and make sure it feels good. You’re looking for a comfortably close fit, rather than super-tight; make sure you can fit a finger between the straps and your skin.

Bondage rope

Opt for specialist bondage rope rather than whatever you’ve got kicking around the attic. Bondage rope is comfortable and safe to use. Plus, it doesn’t have any stretch, so you’ll be able to get consistent pressure and tension when binding (which helps to avoid trapped skin and rope burn).

If the artistic side of this bondage practice appeals to you, learning about Shibari (that’s Japanese rope bondage) would be right up your street. Scroll on down for tips on tying a classic chest harness..

Nipple clamps

Despite what you might have heard, nipple clamps don’t actually need to cause any pain. These visually striking accessories can be all about heightening pleasure instead. They’re designed to restrict blood flow to your nipples so that, when they’re removed, blood rushes back to the area – flooding your breasts with sensation, and making them extra-sensitive to touch. Nipple suckers also boost sensitivity, working in a similar way to clamps.

We’ve got all the tips you’ll need on how to use nipple clamps; we recommend dropping any preconceptions and having a read, if you’re at all intrigued by nipple toys…

There’s a tonne of video tutorials out there on how to practice breast bondage safely – and even courses, online or in person, to teach you how to tie different harness styles.

Once you’ve got your bondage rope at the ready, practise tying harnesses on the back of a chair until you’ve mastered the basics. Start with loose rope wraps while you’re learning to bind, and (just like with a body harness) make sure you can fit a finger between the rope harness and the chair. We’re looking for a fit that’s close without being uncomfortably tight.

When you’re ready to bind your partner, make sure they’re tied up for no more than ten minutes. This gives you both time to enjoy all the visuals and stimulation of breast bondage without causing any discomfort or circulation issues. It’s a good idea to choose a safe word too, so you can quickly let each other know if you’d like to take a break.

“Never leave someone in bondage alone in a room, as they are entirely defenceless,” say the Shibari Academy. "They won't be able to do anything if something out of the ordinary happens.” Check in regularly with your partner throughout the session to make sure they’re doing okay, and keep safety shears on hand so you can cut the rope quickly if you need to. Once you’ve both got this peace of mind, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy getting swept up in the heat of the moment.

Cross Chest Harness

This style of harness is perfect if you’re new to bondage. Once you’ve mastered it, there are ways to make the harness more decorative and advanced – but whatever level of complexity, the chest harness is perfect for enjoying the benefits of breast binding.

Shinju

When you’re ready to level up, shinju is another beginner-friendly rope harness with a few extra steps. It features more wraps of rope above and beneath the breasts than the chest harness, for a firmer feel. You’ll also learn the column tie for this harness style, which is a handy tie to know if you want to explore how to bind wrists and ankles together too.

Now you (or your partner) are all tied up, that’s just the start: we’ve picked out our top ways to get as much pleasure as possible from this erotic bondage practice.

Roleplay

While a breast bondage harness doesn’t involve restraint, you can dial up the BDSM dynamic by teaming a rope harness with wrist or ankle ties. Trying on different roles as the Dominant or submissive partner can bring a spicy new dynamic to bring into the bedroom. Stepping outside your comfort zones together can be a bonding experience, and a unique way to get to know each other on another level.

Oral play

Why save licking and sucking for blow jobs? Use your tongue to softly flick each nipple, moving between the two to keep the whole chest tingling. Keep your lover guessing by occasionally pausing to suck on the nipples, and pepper the breasts with feathery-soft kisses. Nipple suckers are a whole lot of nipple-teasing fun, too.

Impact play

If you’re new to spanking for pleasure, it can seem unappealing if you’re not into pain when you play. But, as with many aspects of bondage, it doesn’t have to hurt at all if you don’t want it to. There’s a sliding scale of intensity so you can pick and choose what’s right for you.

You can start by running the strands of a flogger across your lover’s breasts and nipples, letting them savour the textures on their sensitive skin. If they’d like to try a light slap, gently tap their breasts with the flogger or your open palm.

Massage

Slowly run a bullet vibe in circles across the skin; start with wide circles running around the outside of the breast, then draw smaller and smaller circles as you work your way in. Then stimulate the areola with the tip of the vibe, or try gently lying it flat against the nipple.

Using your hands can, of course, also feel incredible. Add a slick of massage oil to your fingers, and use them to cup and stroke the boobs.

Temperature play

Warming and cooling the skin can be uniquely arousing. Try running an ice cube over your lover’s breasts, or drizzling melted wax from a massage candle. Glass or stainless steel sex toys are brilliant for temperature play, too; heat them by placing them in warm water, or cool them in the fridge.