A postpartum belly wrap goes around your belly (abdomen) for support after you've given birth, or during the postpartum period. Pregnancy can stretch the muscles in your belly, and some women use these wraps to help their muscles recover.
Postpartum wraps aren't body shapers, but they have been used for hundreds of years for extra support. Although today's wraps are trendy, they have actually been around for a long time, says Donnica Moore, MD, president of the Sapphire Women's Health Group in Far Hills, New Jersey, and coauthor of Women's Health for Life.
"This is not a new thing," she says. "Belly wraps were used for people with back pain because they increased abdominal support, which helped people with back pain get around better." Jay Goldberg, MD, an OB/GYN in Beverly Hills, California, agrees. "We have been prescribing abdominal binders for a long time."
Some studies show that wraps or binders can also help with pain and healing after C-section (cesarean section), especially with an exercise program. Learn the benefits and risks of different types of postpartum belly wraps.
Types of Postpartum Belly Wraps
Postpartum belly wraps are also called:
- Postpartum belly bands
- Compression belts
- Abdominal binders
- Belly binders or wraps
There are many types of belly wraps, but not all of them are the best type to use after you have a baby. Here are some types of belly wraps.
Elastic wraps
The best kind of postpartum wrap is made of soft, elastic fabric. Look for natural materials such as cotton that sit next to your skin. Try to skip on lots of Velcro or wraps that contain latex, as they may irritate your skin.
You can also use a long piece of cloth as a wrap or wear a thin T-shirt under the binder to protect your skin. Make sure the wrap is flexible enough to:
- Breathe easily
- Move comfortably
- Shift around
Also make sure the wrap is long enough to go around your hips and belly comfortably. It’s too loose if your binder slides up or down when you move.
Support belt
Adjustable support belts may be helpful for your hips and back to support good posture and help with sore muscles. Both good posture and hip support can help strengthen your pelvic floor.
Shapewear
Some shapewear companies make compression garments for pregnancy and postpartum. These are elastic but tight enough to compress. Choose your style carefully because some full body suits or high-waisted underwear styles may be uncomfortable, as they might be too tight. Also, they aren't practical for:
- Wearing after pregnancy
- Changing sanitary pads during your postpartum period
Benefits of Postpartum Belly Wraps
Your doctor may suggest binding your belly after an abdominal surgery such as a C-section. That's because an after-birth belly wrap can help:
- Relieve your pain
- Make moving around easier
- Raise your blood flow
- Heal muscles and incisions
- Lower the swelling from surgery
- Improve your posture
- Remind you to use your core muscles
Supporting your pelvic floor
Your organs move and adjust during pregnancy to make room for the fetus. Hormones can also make your pelvic floor muscles relax during pregnancy, which may cause you to leak urine after delivery.
Using a postpartum belly wrap can offer some compression to gently hold your muscles in place as your body heals.
Diastasis recti
During pregnancy, the two large muscles running down either side of your stomach area can split apart as your uterus grows and pushes against them. This is called diastasis recti.
Usually, your separated stomach muscles go back into place on their own after delivery. Postpartum belly wraps can compress and support your muscles as they move back into place.
"They have been used for tummy tucks and back problems, but with obstetrics, these wraps help women recovering from a vaginal delivery or a C-section with their posture, abdominal support, and self-confidence," Goldberg says.
A postpartum belly wrap isn't a cure for diastasis recti. So, if you still have an obvious gap between your belly muscles after eight weeks, talk to your doctor about other options. They'll likely suggest physical therapy to strengthen the muscles in your abdomen.
Get moving again
There's another benefit with belly wrap. "You may feel more comfortable and may feel like moving more, and the more you move and exercise, the quicker you get your figure back," Moore says. He says women can put it on after their delivery and wear it for four to six weeks after delivery to get the maximum benefits.
The gentle compression on the abs may also help the uterus return to its normal size. So, new moms may get rid of their belly quicker, Moore says.
Helps you relax
For some women, binding the belly can be part of a ritual. Along with a cup of tea, the gentle feeling of light support can feel calming. It may also help relieve pain, especially for new mothers who often bend over to breastfeed and change diapers.
The extra support may also help different layers of your belly muscles work together.
How to Wear a Postpartum Belly Wrap
Wearing a belly wrap in the postpartum stage isn't for everyone, but here are a few tips to try. While they can lower pain from surgery and support your recovering body, there are some things you should think about.
Learn to wrap up
Using an elastic wrap, start at the hips and wrap up. This can help brace your outer belly muscles back into place. This doesn't make your muscles weaker. It actually helps remind your deeper belly (core) muscles to work again.
With the wrap on, you'll likely move more. The extra support helps you use those muscles, and they'll get stronger. But wrapping the wrong way can cause downward pressure on your pelvic floor, and it can cause pelvic organ prolapse.
If you're unsure, ask your doctor or physical therapist to show you how to wrap up.
Give yourself a break
Wearing a belly wrap all day is not a good idea. If you wear a wrap for too long, your abdominal muscles can start to weaken and cause more problems. Tight clothing should be worn in moderation so you get proper circulation.
Your physical therapist can suggest exercises to help you strengthen your core muscles, too.
Don't use trainers, corsets, or cinchers
These tight, hard materials with rigid boning are not safe. They're made to reshape your body, not to help strengthen muscles. Ask your doctor or physical therapist about specific types of wraps.
Look for a wrap that lightly compresses your belly. The binder should be tight, fitting under your ribs but above your hips. You should be able to take a deep breath when wearing it.
Risks of Postpartum Belly Wraps
While belly wraps have benefits, they might also have risks. A belly band can't help you lose weight. They can also cause:
- Pain
- Too much pressure
- Circulation problems
- Pelvic floor prolapse
- Itchiness or rash
Take your belly binder off right away if you have any of these symptoms.
Gently wrap up
Most of these risks happen because you're wearing the wrong kind of belly wrap or it's wrapped too tightly. Keep in mind that postpartum belly wraps are meant to offer support to your recovering body. Wearing it too tight can do more damage than good.
Belly wraps aren't waist trainers
Some people claim that a waist trainer can help you lose weight after pregnancy. But there's no evidence of this. A postpartum belly wrap isn't a waist trainer. Those types of wraps are usually made of hard materials that don't allow your body to move or shift very well.
Waist trainers put a kind of pressure on your belly that can cause damage and other risks, including:
- Trouble breathing
- Organ damage
- Acid reflux
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Fainting
- Varicose veins
- Digestion problems
Always talk to your doctor about your belly wrap. They can help you get the right fit and suggest the best exercises to help your belly muscles heal.
When to call the doctor
Sometimes, your belly wrap might give you trouble. Give your doctor a call if you notice:
- A harder time breathing
- Red skin or color changes
- Spots or warmer areas on your skin
- Bruising
- Rash that doesn't go away even after a few minutes of taking the binder off
Takeaways
After you've given birth, a postpartum belly wrap can support your belly (abdomen), especially if you've had a C-section. After pregnancy stretches both sides of your belly, the muscles may not go back into place on their own right away. You should ask your doctor about how to wrap up, take a break, and wear an elastic belly wrap to help heal your incisions and pain.
FAQs About Postpartum Belly Wrap
When is the best time to start wearing a wrap after delivery?
Some women start wearing a postpartum belly wrap a few weeks after giving birth, once the bleeding is manageable. Talk to your doctor about the best time for your situation. They can also suggest physical therapy, if needed.
Can I wear a belly wrap if I had a C-section with an infection or fluid buildup?
There isn't enough evidence to suggest using a belly wrap if you've had an infection after your C-section. Always follow your doctor's instructions for healing after your surgery.
How many hours a day should I wear a postpartum belly wrap?
There isn't a set time, but many new moms wear their wraps for a few hours a day before taking short breaks. That way, they get a balance of support from the wrap and their own body.
Can I sleep while wearing a postpartum belly wrap?
Don't wear the wrap at night. Always wear it according to your doctor's instructions.
How do I wash my belly wrap?
Follow the directions on your support wrap. Or you can wash it by hand using soap flakes. Try rubbing any stains off lightly using a nail brush. Then rinse your wrap in cold water.
Some people carefully place their wrap in a laundry bag or pillowcase before using the gentle cycle. But you can also wrap it in a towel to dry naturally. Try to avoid hot water, as it might shrink your belly binder. And skip the dryer or any direct heat because that can shrink it.
