Postpartum belly bands have gained popularity among celebrities like Cardi B and the Kardashians, but they are not a new trend. In fact, the practice of belly binding has been around for centuries:
- In the Malaysian community, these belly bands are known as bengkung.
- Latin American people use a wrap called faja.
- Japanese mothers opt for sarashi after giving birth.
But what exactly is a postpartum cover? Let’s delve deeper to understand its purpose and benefits.
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What are the benefits of wearing a postpartum wrap or belly band?
Postpartum wraps or belly bands offer several benefits for women after childbirth. These include:
- Body Protection: Postpartum belly strips, wraps, and shapewear are designed to provide support and protection to the body after delivery. Typically made from lightweight, elastic fabrics, they cover the chest area from the ribs to the hips.
- Muscle Recovery: During pregnancy, the stomach muscles may stretch and weaken, which can lead to postpartum discomfort and back pain. Wearing a postpartum wrap can help by providing gentle compression and support to the abdominal area.
- Alleviates Specific Pains: Some women experience long-lasting effects such as symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) or pelvic girdle pain (PGP) after childbirth. These conditions occur due to the loosening of ligaments that support the bones during pregnancy. Many women claim that wearing a postpartum wrap can provide relief from back pain and pubic symphysis pain during the postpartum period, although individual experiences may vary.
- Abdominal Stabilization: New mothers often use postpartum belly strips and wraps to stabilize and balance their abdomen. These products can help gently compress the abdominal area and provide a feeling of support.
- Smoothing Effect: Postpartum shapewear items, such as belly strips and wraps, can help smooth the appearance of the abdomen and provide a more streamlined look under maternity wear.
It is important to note that while postpartum belly bands and wraps offer comfort and support, there is no evidence to suggest that they aid in rapid weight loss after childbirth. Additionally, it is crucial to choose postpartum shapewear that allows for proper mobility and does not restrict breathing.
Why Wear A Postpartum Belly Wrap?
It is important to understand why women should consider wearing a postpartum wrap soon after delivery. During pregnancy, your muscles and connective tissues expand, and they need support to come back together. While it is possible to naturally recover without a belly wrap, wearing one can help expedite the process when used correctly. There are also other advantages to using a postpartum wrap.
What Do Postpartum Belly Wraps Do?
In addition to the key factor you want the waist to tone down to get rid of the postpartum pooch, there are also more excuses to wear a postpartum wrap after only delivering a baby.
1. Provide Comfort And Support Of The Low Back Initially After Pregnancy
After childbirth, your muscles may feel weak and exhausted. A postpartum wrap can provide temporary support while you care for your newborn, especially during breastfeeding and when sitting up while holding your baby. It can help alleviate the soreness in your back during the early postpartum stages.
2. Relieve Low Back Pain Temporarily
If you have experienced episodes of low back pain after giving birth, wearing a postpartum wrap can help reduce the discomfort. While it is not the only solution for relieving back pain, it can be beneficial during the early postpartum period. It is important to prioritize physical care and follow a suitable exercise routine to effectively treat back pain.
3. Prevent Worsening Of Diastasis Recti
Diastasis Recti is a common condition during and after pregnancy. Wearing a postpartum wrap can help prevent it from worsening under stress. The wrap helps separate your abdominal muscles, allowing them to recover in the correct position. This separation aids in the intensification of the uterus’ shrinking phase and allows the internal organs to return to their normal form. Additionally, as the uterus shrinks during the postpartum period, the wrap provides compression.
4. Decreases Swelling
Did you know that pregnant women retain about one and a half times their normal blood volume? You may have noticed this through increased blood flow and swollen veins in your legs. Swelling in the calves and ankles, known as edema, is a common side effect of pregnancy. Compression is an effective way to minimize this swelling, whether it is leftover from pregnancy or occurs after delivery when your body has accumulated fluids through IV. Gradually increase the duration of wearing a postpartum girdle, starting with one hour on the first day and adding one hour per day until you can comfortably wear it from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The recommended duration of wearing a postpartum wrap will be discussed further in this post.
When Should You Start Wearing A Postpartum Belly Wrap?
I highly recommend starting to wear a postpartum belly wrap as soon as possible. It is safe to begin using it even after two days postpartum. Your uterus undergoes rapid shifts and starts contracting quickly.
Wearing a postpartum wrap will further facilitate this process. It helps to contract the uterus, especially during breastfeeding when the uterus expands.
Make it a daily practice to wear the wrap. The longer you wear it, the more benefits you will experience. Wear it primarily during the day as you move around. The additional support helps remind your muscles to tighten and engage during normal movements.
Even during rest periods, such as when breastfeeding your baby, continue to wear the wrap. The compression provided by the wrap can aid in the contraction of the uterus during breastfeeding, contributing to your recovery.
I recommend wearing the postpartum wrap for a duration of eight weeks (2 months) to ten weeks (2.5 months) until the hormones have settled in your system. This is also a good time to start incorporating postpartum exercises.
However, it’s important to note that the wrap should not be relied upon for an extended period. It should not become a crutch. Instead, focus on building the strength of your muscles to be the natural support for your midsection. Prolonged dependence on a belly wrap can lead to negative side effects such as muscle fatigue and potentially new back pain.
I suggest wearing the postpartum wrap for a maximum duration of four months postpartum.
How Long Should You Wear A Postpartum Belly Wrap Each Day?
You should aim to wear the wrap for approximately 10 to 12 hours each day. This is a general guideline, but it is also okay if you wear it for fewer or more hours depending on your comfort. There is no specific fixed number, but 10 to 12 hours is typically manageable for most women. I recommend gradually increasing the wearing time as your body becomes more accustomed to it during the first week. It is advisable not to sleep in the wrap to allow your skin to breathe and get oxygen.
You can wear the wrap in blocks of time throughout the day. For example, you can wear it for 3 hours in the morning, 3 hours in the middle of the day, and 3 hours in the evening. Take breaks from wearing it at different intervals during the day, such as during the early afternoon when you have a quick snack if you have the opportunity.
1. Belly Bandit Original Post-Pregnancy Belly Wrap
The no-frills Belly Bandit has been tried and checked for over a decade with its easy-to-use wraparound style. Velcro binding enables nine inches of adjustment (which helps you monitor the squeeze factor)—medicinal compression elastic assists in improving core muscles, promoting proper balance, and easing the back pain. Not to mention, most big health care insurance providers fund this wrap – they plan to try it without a brainer.
2. ChongErfei Postpartum Support Recovery Belly Wrap
The ChongEerfei Bowel wrap best seller protects a wide region of the surface (from low on the hips to high on the shores), ensuring that you get protection for the pelvis, abdominal muscles, and low to medium back. It also ensures that you should stop pressing out the top of this band “muffin top” to maintain a clean, seamless appearance. In other terms, a win-win afterpartum — which is why more than 1,500 women rave in the Amazon region.
3. Bellefit Postpartum Corset
Many healing from a c-section may not want to pinch their incision with a bowel wrap — but still have the comfort a bowel strip provides. Join the postpartum corset of Bellefit, which has a pull-on pattern as well as eye and hook closures for a cesarean incision. The FDA-approved system also includes flexible compression, hypoallergenic tissue, and comfort in the back and abdomen. However, the access flap must be our favourite feature, enabling you to enter the bathroom without pulling out the corset.
4. UpSpring Baby Shrinkx Postpartum Belly Wrap
Compression Triple? Check. Check. Was it built of breathable mesh? Check, Built-in boning to protect your position? Check. Check. Is underclothing concealable? Check again. In reality, the UpSpring Shrinkx does not meet a few belly band requirements, making it a favourite for both c-section and vaginal delivery moms (not to mention the OB-GYNs).
5. Isabel Maternity by Ingrid & Isabel Maternity After band Support Belt
No perturbation, seams, or straps? Sign us up. Sign us up. This belly band from Isabel Maternity is rendered simply by its extended knit material, which forms while also enabling you to exercise your core muscles. It is also held in position with silicone strips on the hems (so that it is not continually changed the entire day). It not only provides all of the perks of a postpartum belly brace, but it also offers added coverage while nursing.
6. Belly Bandit Mother Tucker Corset
People, whether they are postpartum or not, enjoy this belly band almost unanimously. Double compression, back and side boning, and a high back help firm, smooth, and sustain the location. Meanwhile, you’ll (almost) overlook that the flexible shutters, lightweight plastic, and released friction on the bottom make it so comfortable. Yeah, this postpartum corset is an expense, but it can be worn again and again.
7. Mama Strut Postpartum Support Brace
The creator of Mama Strut’s postpartum wrap thought of everything that makes sense when three mothers designed it. The velcro-strapped girdle offers protection for the belly and back (when handling swelling), yet the pull-up shorts that can carry adjustable glazing or heat packs (aiding postpartum pain and treatment) are the beauty of this scheme.
8. TiRain 3 in 1 Postpartum Support Belt Shapewear
Do not let this admittedly medieval postpartum girdle be intimidated: The three separate belts concentrate on your pelvic, belly, and tail, and they can be worn together or in whatever variation you want. Add to the appeal factor: The fabric is light enough to be used in clothes every season, it is available in more scale and is one of the cheapest on the market. There are hundreds of five-star ratings.
9. Belly Bandit B.F.F. Belly Wrap
Would you want to step up the belly wrap game from the original Belly Bandit? Try B.F.F., which has two flexible panels in an antibacterial cloth that is free of latex. The style is suitable for those with a shorter tailor on the smaller side (those with longer torsos do not feel that it does not cover a sufficient area), and it hugs the right spot. Now you can see that they call B.F.F.?
10. LODAY 2 in 1 Postpartum Recovery Belt
Are they intrigued by the belly wrapping idea, just not ready yet for a complete postpartum corset? The belly band LODAY is for you. The LODAY band, without Velcro, snaps, wraps or braces, slips on and holds it flexibly. It provides identical compression and smoothing advantages, but without a conventional postpartum girdle, or corset, elastic tightening. (Plus, underclothes it’s easily concealed.)
Conclusion
Although a stomach wrap can make you feel better throughout your pregnancy or after birth, it’s not a cure-all, and it’s not going to be completely relieved or restored. “A wrap can never take over your muscles’ work,” says Guido. Proper workout, core work, and pelvic floor motions will enable you to reintegrate and recover yourself in time, she notes.
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