How To Choose The Best Postpartum Belly Wrap
Picking The Best Postpartum Belly Wrap
Whether you call it a belly wrap, belly binder, belly band, or postpartum girdle (and do note that throughout this article, we may be using these terms interchangeably), its function is the same; as an abdominal binder that newly delivered mothers would typically consider buying and using.
If a postpartum belly wrap is currently on your list of items to purchase, but not yet decide which one is the best postpartum belly wrap for you, read on as we share our thoughts on the need for getting a belly binder and what are some of your best options.
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Why Use a Postpartum Belly Wrap?
Firstly, why would one even consider using a postpartum belly wrap? As we delved into this question, we found that belly wraps are not just a novelty and have, in fact, been quite commonly prescribed for abdominal support (to help those with back pain move around better) as well to help mothers with their posture and potential back problems post-delivery.
For the cost ranging from $20 to $60 depending on the model should be able to get you one of the best postpartum belly wraps already. In most cases, you may even need to purchase several sizes as your girth decreases with consistent usage of the belly wrap. With a belly wrap, the new mother’s abs is gently compressed, thus helping her uterus return to its normal size faster.
How to Choose The Best Postpartum Belly Wrap
There are many brands/models of postpartum belly wrap to choose from. So picking the best postpartum belly wrap shouldn't be hard. While making your selection, you should consider the following aspects:
Comfort – Considering that you will be wearing the belly wrap all day (for at least a month, preferably longer), you should aim to get one that will not make you break out in an itch or cut into your skin when you wear it.
Wear-ability and Invisibility – You will be wearing the belly wrap underneath your clothes, so you would want to get one that is discreetly hidden underneath your garments. Also, consider if it will be easy to put on and take off. Some belly wraps also tend to slip down if you move about with your daily routine.
Quality and Effectiveness – While what works for someone may not necessarily work for you, it is always best to do some research on what types of belly wraps are available and read other mothers’ reviews on them to see which one works. Pick one that meets your needs and falls within your budget.
The Top Four Postpartum Belly Wraps
While there are ample of belly wraps brands currently available in the market, trying to pick the best postpartum belly wrap can be confusing.
Having to do all the research and read all the reviews can be a big chore by itself. At BabyDotDot, we have scoured the web and mom forums and gathered the top 4 belly wraps that loved by moms.
We’ve written a summary for each of this belly wraps so that you can read with ease. Check it out below.
Squeem “Perfect Waist” Firm Compression Waist Trainer
Squeem has been in the industry for more than 40 years, so when it comes to experience in making belly binders that work, they are certainly not lacking in it.
The Squeem “Perfect Waist” Firm Compression Waist Trainer has been touted very highly as one of the best postpartum belly wraps by those who have tried it.
This corset-style belly binder is especially useful for those mothers who are addressing problems at their midsection. It is practically invisible underneath your garments, making it possible to wear even with tight fitting clothes.
The Squeem “Perfect Waist” belly wrap is made of latex and cotton and is available in two colors, nude and black. It is quite comfortable to wear, even for the whole day (no-itch!).
Squeem helps realign your spine and keep your posture straight. The material is durable, and thanks to its internal bone structure, it does not ride up or down (unlike some belly wraps). It may take some time to get used to putting it on, though, as it uses hooks (like the ones on your bra) instead of Velcro.
If you decide to get one, though, take extra care in considering the size to purchase as most customers have had to buy one size up from their regular size (myself included). You will need to balance between getting the right fit versus the risk of getting one that might be too loose-fitting for it to do its intended job.
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Belly Bandit
Belly Bandit is another popular model for belly wraps. It is made of latex-free, medical-grade elastic. Their Stretch and Compress™ technology helps mothers shrink not only their bellies but waist and hips as well, postpartum.
This belly wrap is also said to help close the gap for those suffering from abdominal separation, or diastasis recti.
There is another model called the Belly Bandit BFF which also received many good reviews from mothers. You can check them out at Amazon.
Although Belly Bandit belly wrap is made of high quality; however, there has been some mothers complaining about it folding up or down as they go about with their daily routine.
Also, it may not be suitable to wear outside of the home, as it tends to show underneath your clothing. However, compression feels good with this belly wrap, so if you do not plan to wear it outside home much, then that should not be a concern for you.
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Bellefit Postpartum Corset
The Bellefit Postpartum Corset is a medical-grade girdle that effectively compresses your abs. It works best for mothers who have undergone Caesarian-section as the use of medical-grade garment provides the extra care needed where abdominal incisions are concerned.
This belly wrap is made of microporous fabric; hence it is comfortable to wear and will not hold odors or sweat. It comes in four styles: a pull-up, a corset, a girdle with a zipper, and a dual girdle. The difference is in their means of closure.
The Bellefit Postpartum Corset helps support your back so that any back or abdominal pain is reduced. It feels sturdy and does not slip about when worn.
However, some users have complained that the saddle between the legs is wider than they would like, and as a result, causes some chafing on their inner thighs.
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3 in 1 Breathable Elastic Post-Partum Postnatal Recovery Support Girdle Belt for Women and Maternity
The 3 in 1 Breathable Elastic Postpartum Girdle is unique as it comes in three separate, adjustable pieces, to address problems with specific parts of your body (your belly, waist, and pelvis).
This belly wrap comes in just one size, but it is adjustable by loosening or tightening the belt. This gives you more flexibility to customize it to fit you in between sizes. Since the belts can be used separately, it allows you to adjust and use certain belts based on the progress you have achieved.
It is recommended that you start with the belly belt for the first 7 days, and then if you feel that you need longer support for your belly, then you may overlap its use with the waist belt, for the subsequent weeks.
However, some users did find it tricky to use the belly wrap at the beginning since it comes in 3 separate pieces.
The 3 in 1 Breathable Elastic Postpartum Girdle is made of good quality, lightweight and porous fabric that makes it comfortable for the wearer instead of irritating your skin as some other belly wraps might.
It is available in only nude color. It uses a Velcro, though, so it makes it a little more visible under your clothes unlike other belly wraps like the Squeem.
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Set The Right Expectation
Even if you have the world best postpartum belly wrap, you won’t immediately return to your pre-pregnancy figure as the belly wrap is not a substitute for what a healthy diet, exercise, and lifestyle can do for you. It will take some time to heal.
For those intending to get a belly wrap, do note that it would be best for you to wear it continuously (some even recommend wearing it throughout the hours in which you are awake, which is what I did early on) for at least four to six weeks after delivery to realize the benefit.
Carrying a baby for nine months could have been tough on your spine. A good postpartum girdle should help straighten and recover your spine and posture. For mothers who wish to tummy tuck or reduce your stomach flab, wearing a belly binder helps in making you look in-shape and feel confident in your appearance.
If you have Diastasis Recti (abdominal separation) post-pregnancy, belly binding can help close the gap. Not only is it a cheaper alternative, but it is also more pleasant to wear a belly wrap than to go for surgery.
Also, if you suffer from symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), a symphysis maternity belt will help to provide relieve to the pain. Read this post for more info on the symphysis maternity belt and SPD.
Staying Consistent
Different mothers have reported various levels of effectiveness after using a postpartum belly wrap.
There are other determining factors in that, for example, if you had worn the belly wrap the way it was intended, how many hours did you wear it every day, how many weeks/months did you wear it and if you had started soon after you have the baby was delivered.
Also, as shared earlier, it is not realistic to expect immediate results and without other accompanying efforts such as eating and living healthily. As long as you wear the belly wrap consistently and eat healthily, you will see
My Own Experience
To share my experience, I used the Squeem “Perfect Waist” Firm Compression Waist Cincher for about a month. However, I started a little late. I started using the Squeem only in my second month after giving birth (mainly because I was being my usual indecisive self and was not sure on which model to get!).
Even then, I found it was quite effective in reducing my girth as the belly binder felt looser just a few weeks after I started using it. I stopped after using it for about a month as I did not want to purchase another one in a smaller size and was happy with the results by then.
The Squeem was fairly comfortable to wear, inconspicuous underneath my usual clothes and did not give me the “ride down” problem that some belly wraps reportedly do as one moves about with their daily chore. The Squeem belly wrap is definitely my best postpartum belly wrap thus far.
I do have to call out, though, that I was breastfeeding at that time, and I applied ginger cream on my belly before wrapping on the Squeem so those may have also been factors contributing to my girth reduction. ☺
If you have used a belly wrap before, we would love to hear from you. Do leave us a comment below to share your experience.
