Using a postpartum wrap may improve your comfort after having a baby, whether you have had a vaginal or cesarean delivery. New moms often feel sore and weak after delivery, especially in their core.
After a long pregnancy and birth, the abdominal muscles are weakened and sore. Some gentle compression from an abdominal binder can help you feel supported after delivery.
A postpartum belly band can help with the healing process and give your core muscles a little relief.
As a labor and delivery nurse and mom to three, I’ve had my hands on a few different kinds of postpartum girdles. The best ones are those that fit properly, provide gentle compression, and are a breathable fabric and won’t cause the person to overheat.
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When should you start wearing a postpartum belly wrap?
You can start as soon as you deliver, though many people feel best wearing one once they are up and moving around. It’s a good idea to get the extra support when you begin resuming your day-to-day activities.
After a vaginal delivery, this may be in the immediate postpartum period. After a cesarean section, it may be a few days after delivery.
You may wish to wear a support band for a few weeks postpartum, depending on your comfort level.
Related: Postpartum Girdles – Is it too late to start?
Are postpartum belly bands the same thing as waist trainers?
No, a waist trainer is not the same thing! A pregnancy support belt is not the same thing either. Postpartum belly wraps cover more of the torso than pregnancy belly wraps.
Waist trainers compress your waist to change your body shape. This is not helpful after having a baby. It can affect your internal organs and your circulation. A waist belt does not provide the same light compression as abdominal wraps.
The best postpartum waist trainer is to wear none at all – stick to a postpartum belly wrap!
Postpartum belly binders offer gentle compression to your entire abdominal region. They evenly distribute pressure to help you feel supported after birth. It is not intended to change the shape of your body, but rather help your body heal naturally. They are designed to help you have less pain postpartum and may help heal diastasis recti.
Related: The Best Pants and Undies For After Your C-Section
The best postpartum belly wrap
I am personally a big fan of Belly Bandit postpartum support belts. They are FDA Registered Medical Device brand and many major health insurance companies will reimburse your purchase.
The Original Belly Bandit Belly Wrap
I personally used the original Belly Bandit. This is what I used after my vaginal births with my second and third babies. I felt that it helped my postpartum body heal faster and I felt like I was able to move around with less pain.
The original Belly Bandit is made of a thick and stretchy material. It is totally adjustable with velcro fasteners and very easy to clean. It is a breathable fabric and didn’t make me overly hot. According to the website, you should wear the belly support 24/7 for best results.
My only complaint about this belly binder is I found it to be irritating against my skin. This was easily corrected by wearing a camisole underneath. Though the website says you should only take it off to shower, personally I found that to be uncomfortable and only wore the belly belt when I was up and moving around.
With my second pregnancy, I suffered with symphysis pubis dysfunction. I had a lot of pelvic pain, and I felt that this was the best postpartum girdle to help with the SPD pain.
The original Belly Bandit covers the entire abdominal area. I am 5’7″ and it went from my hip bones to a few inches below my sternum.
Belly Bandit Luxe Belly Wrap
The original belly wrap is one panel that you can adjust as needed. The new Belly Bandit Luxe belly wrap has two velcro straps that you can adjust to your preference. This is a really great option as it can be adjusted more easily as your body heals. If I were to have another pregnancy, I would purchase the Luxe as I think it would be more comfortable.
Be sure to look at the sizing chart to find the perfect fit. Belly Bandit markets the Luxe as being the most discreet belly wrap that is invisible under clothes.
B.F.F. Belly Wrap
A sort of cross between the Luxe and the original Belly Bandit, the B.F.F. wrap has 2 velcro tab closures to ensure the wrap hugs your changing body. This is a lightweight and breathable material covered in hypoallergenic and antimicrobial properties from bamboo.
Best for those with short torsos and petite bodies, the B.F.F. will get you a more custom fit.
Hospital-provided belly wraps
If you have a c section, your healthcare provider may order a postpartum support belt for you. From my experience, the ones provided by the hospital are more of a “one size fits all” and aren’t as comfortable as others. There’s nothing wrong with these compression garments, but you may find more comfortable getting a different postpartum belt as you resume your daily activities.
Who should wear a postpartum belly band?
Anyone can wear a postpartum abdominal wrap as any new mom may find comfort in a recovery belt as they begin moving around.
People that have had a cesarean birth are great candidates for a postpartum wrap. A c-section is major abdominal surgery, and the extra compression from belly binding can promote healing. C-section moms may even have a postpartum girdle prescribed to them before they are discharged from the hospital. In fact, some research has found that wearing a good postpartum support belt can help with c-section recovery.
If you suffered from pelvic pain or discomfort, diastasis recti, or lower back pain during pregnancy, a postpartum recovery belt can help support you in the first few weeks postpartum. There is not much scientific research done on this, but anecdotal evidence supports their use.
How to wear a postpartum belly wrap
Each brand has a little bit of a different size and feel to it. I usually recommend laying down on the side of a bed with the band underneath your back.
Pull the sides of the wrap around your belly until it is snug and comfy. It should go under your bra area down to your hips.
If you have a c-section scar, try to place the band where it won’t rub. Usually the incision line is underneath the band, not below it.
Postpartum recovery garments
The best postpartum wraps are lightweight, breathable, and comfortable enough to wear all day long. The gentle compression should help your comfort and healing.