Do you know that postpartum belly wrapping has been around for centuries? In fact, it is a tradition in many different cultures that has been, and is still being practiced until today.
You may think that such belly wrapping is purely for aesthetic (or vanity) purpose, and while that is one of the most common reasons (hey, who can blame us - we all want to look good!) women look for the best postpartum belly binder even before they give birth, it is not the only reason for its popularity.
1. What is A Postpartum Girdle?
Postpartum girdle is a special compression garment that you wear around your abdomen/midsection for the purpose of, amongst other benefits, speeding up your recovery process after giving birth. It is also commonly known as postpartum corset, belly binder, belly wrap, belly belt, abdominal belt... you get the drift.
Although some may also refer it as the postpartum belly band, do not get it mistaken with the pregnancy/maternity support belly band. While both share the same purpose of providing back support, the latter is used during pregnancy mainly for its support/alleviation of back pain (for carrying that extra baby weight) whereas the former has many other purposes including getting your belly back in shape. You certainly do not want to be compressing your belly during pregnancy!
Most importantly, do not misunderstand a postpartum girdle to be the same as waist trainers - these use extreme binding to waist train or for 'weight loss' purpose and they can potentially squish your internal organs (yikes!), leaving permanent damage.
2. Top 5 Best Postpartum Belly Wrap
Many claim to be the best postpartum belt in the market for women, so which one is the best girdle? What's the best postpartum belly wrap?
For those that just had a natural childbirth, Bellefit Postpartum Girdle with Zipper is the best postpartum belly wrap for you.
This medical grade girdle is FDA registered and is one that doctors recommend for natural childbirth thanks to its adjustable side closure with two sets of hook and eye closures underneath a lateral zipper. They are separated by an inch apart so that you can tighten it when additional compression is needed as you progress during your childbirth recovery.
This is the best postpartum abdominal binder known for its effectiveness in supporting and compressing abdominal and lumbar regions as well as promoting faster recovery for the postpartum women. Made from hypoallergenic microporous medical-grade fabric, this girdle allows your skin to breathe and you will not feel hot in it.
The triple-layered, reinforced front panel and four individually-sewn back panels evenly distribute tension for medical-grade compression and support to relieve you from back pains in addition to improving your posture.
If you worry about toilet convenience, don't be - there is easy access to the groin with its flap and hooks closures which also adjust for maximum comfort. Apart from giving you the convenience, the groin closure also makes your girdle stay in place better and not ride up when you move around.
Bellefit Postpartum Girdle with Zipper is the best girdle after birth if you deliver your baby naturally, especially if you have a triangle or rectangle body shape. Nonetheless, if you like the idea of its zipper function but had a C-Section, you can still use it but it has to be after your incision has healed. Otherwise, you may consider the Postpartum Corset - C-section Recovery Belt- see below.
Overall, this is the best belly band after pregnancy that you will not regret getting!
What about if you have a C-Section? Don't worry, there are girdles that cater for that and out of all, we think Bellefit's Postpartum Corset - C-section Recovery & Incision Healing is the best c section belly band.
This medical-grade girdle adopts a corset shape and it has a front closure consisting of 2 rows of hook and eye closures that are separated by an inch apart so that you can adjust to tighten it when additional compression is needed.
Unlike the Postpartum Girdle with Zipper, this can be worn right after your C-section without having to wait for your incision to heal. Although the hook and eye closures are designed with c-section in mind, it is an excellent option for Natural Birth too, if you don't fancy the side closure with zipper.
Likewise, you do not need to worry about toilet convenience as this corset girdle comes with a groin flap with hook closures that are adjustable, as expected from the best belly band.
You should also refer to Bellefit Sizing Calculator as you cannot rely on your usual underwear size when buying this girdle (it will usually be one size or two bigger).
All in all, the Bellefit Postpartum Corset C-Section Recovery & Incision Healing is the best belly band after c section that speeds up your healing and recovery postpartum, as well as help you bounce back into your pre-pregnancy shape faster.
If you think it takes too much time and effort putting on hook-and-eye closures, you can go with velcro belly wrap bands that are easy and fast to put on. Out of the many choices that are available, we think the Mamaway Nano Bamboo Postnatal Recovery & Support Belly Band is the best belly binder.
This belly binder is wide enough to be a corset, so for those of you that like the corset style that Bellefit offers (but couldn't be bothered to hook up the closures), this is good news to you. Nonetheless, the Mamaway Nano is still soft enough to be a wrap that is strong enough to provide support to your back.
Whether you had natural birth or c-section, the Mamaway Nano is suitable for both. For natural births, it helps with uterus and pelvic floor recovery as well as stabilising abdomen and improving posture as you recover. If you had a c-section, the band assists in holding loose skin and muscles in place and stabilise the wound. It also encourages contractions post birth to assist with uterus recovery.
As mentioned, this belly wrap is easy to use with just a 3-step fastening system to make you feel secure and comfortably tight. The two compression sub belts reinforce the key recovery areas, giving you an immediate waist line and smooth silhouette under clothing.
Another reason we rate this one of the best postpartum wrap is that it uses breathable bamboo charcoal fibers to give it a rigid yet flexible structure that allows it to bend and twist with your body without bunching and creasing. Such material makes it safe to be worn underneath your clothes without causing any skin irritation, not to mention it is antibacterial and naturally emits far-infrared rays to improve circulation.
For velcro type of belly bands, the Mamaway Nano Bamboo Postnatal Recovery & Support Belly Band is certainly one of the best girdle that you will love. You can use it straight after birth and the high quality and durable construction enables it to maintain its shape, wash after wash.
If you like the concept of a corset but do not fancy the crotch flap of the Bellefits, and you do not like velcro that most other belly wraps come with, then Belly Bandit Mother Tucker Corset Shapewear is the best postpartum corset that you will love.
We understand, sometimes it's hard to feel confident and sexy when you hear the velcro sound everytime you move around. The Mother Tucker eliminates this 'problem' with its 6-hook design that allows for greater adjustability and compression.
While it is not as easy as velcro belly wraps (like the brand's famous Original Postpartum Original Wrap - there are many belly bandit reviews on this) in terms of putting on, this is one corset that you can still wear yourself without needing a second pair of helping hands. One tip: it's easier to put on if you lie on your back and start from the bottom hook working your way up.
Like all good belly wraps, this corset is designed to slim the waist and tummy down post pregnancy. You do not have to worry about fat bulges showing because it fits right below the chest and hovers the hips. It is made from lightweight and breathable fabric so you will not feel hot wearing it.
Do not order for a larger size just because you couldn't clasp it together the first try. Try clasping the hooks together and slide it on. It is meant to be tight so don't be alarmed - it will get looser as you wear it.
Once put on, this postpartum corset girdle stays on and will not roll or bunch up. This is thanks to the soft boning it uses which will not dig into your flesh thus ensuring your maximum comfort. Its double layered material gives double the compression so you know this is one best girdle for after pregnancy to get your shape back.
For those who want your postpartum girdle to be invisible under your tight fitting clothes, Belly Bandit Mother Tucker Corset Shapewear is the best post pregnancy belly wrap for you because unlike most velcro ones which will more or less bulge due to the velcro binding (yes, even the very good ones), this corset will wrap around your body like a second skin, ensuring it doesn't show underneath your clothes.
If you've been browsing around, you may notice that there are a lot of postpartum girdles that say they are 3-in-1. These are the ones that come with 3 sets of belt - belly, waist and pelvis. If this is the type that you prefer, then Chongerfei 3-in-1 Postnatal Shapewear is the best postpartum binder out of all.
As the picture on the left indicates, different belts work in different way to help you recover - be it putting your organs back in place or helping you regain your pre-pregnancy curves. Just remember, you will need to wait until your c-section stitches have healed before you use them. For vaginal birth, you can use it immediately (and is recommended too for optimum effect).
While you may think that such 3-in-1 is cumbersome in that it has so many parts (come on, who doesn't like a one-to-do-everything?), you cannot deny that it really provides the compression and binding required in every area precisely. One thing to note though, is that you have to wear this over your clothes instead of underneath it.
Most importantly, it gives you the flexibility to use them interchangeably if you do not feel particularly comfortable in a certain area any particular day i.e. you may still put on the girdle for stomach if your pelvic does not feel too well one particular day. Others, you may have to forego wearing your girdle the whole day.
If you do not like velcro, sorry, you will have to put up with it with this one because we have yet found a 3-in-1 that does not use velcro fastening. Nonetheless, you do not have to worry that the belly band will roll up when you move - the belly belt will prevent it from doing so aside from correcting your posture (it is one of the best belly belt in terms of quality and effectiveness compare to other 3-in-1s).
Overall, 3-in-1s do have their edge over other one-piece girdles so if this is what you prefer, then Chongerfei 3-in-1- Postnatal Shapewear is the best rated postpartum girdle to choose out of all. And oh, it is the cheapest postpartum girdle out of all our postpartum belly band reviews.
3. Benefits of Wearing A Postpartum Girdle
We talked about postpartum girdles speeding up your recovery process after giving birth. Have you wondered how it does this and what are the other benefits?
This is how your belly looks during pregnancy and postpartum. As you can see, aside from your uterus stretching, your visceral organs are also squished together to make room for your little one.
You may also see that your visceral organs do not quite go back into their original place after delivery, and your skin may also became loose due to all the stretching.
1. Post-Delivery Recovery
After you give birth, the visceral organs will go back into place but because your muscles are so stretched out during pregnancy, there is a chance that both muscles and organs will not come back together even after your tissue has healed and your hormone levels return to pre-pregnancy.
What's left is a gap that won't close, known as "Diastasis Recti" or more commonly, "mummy tummy". This is the reason why some may still look pregnant even months after delivery. It doesn't occur to every woman, but about 40% of women are plagued by it, nonetheless.
A postpartum girdle helps to repair Diastasis Recti after birth as it compresses and tighten your uterus to help it return to its original size in lesser time. It also puts other visceral organs back to their place to prevent visceral ptosis. Not only does it tuck away your mummy tummy, it also helps you get your core strength back faster, which is essential to prevent permanent damage to your lower back and spine, bringing us to our next point.
2. Reliable Back Support
A good postpartum belly wrap will provide women with comfortable and reliable back support and compression. Women who wore a girdle post pregnancy find that there is a significant reduction of back pain, as well as feeling a decrease of pressure on their legs and back. When your comfort level is increased and abdominal muscles strengthened, you get to be active faster i.e. able to exercise which helps you to get back in shape sooner. Those that come with pelvic belts will also help with postpartum pelvic recovery correction.
3. Improved Posture & Support Breastfeeding
They are all interlinked, aren't they? Girdles give you better posture because you get extra support when your belly and back are wrapped and compressed so tightly together. You won't be able to slouch in one, anyway! And with a better posture, it improves and supports your breastfeeding experience all the more.
4. Body Shaping
This is perhaps the biggest attraction/reason women look for the best belly wrap. You can see people searching for the best "belly binder for weight loss" or "abdominal binder for weight loss" before giving birth because who doesn't want to look like they've never given birth before?
Now, do not get confused. Postpartum girdles will not help you lose weight. It is also not related to the controversial waist training that is so popular nowadays. Rather, it helps reduce swelling and any pregnancy-related excess weight or skin because your body is compressed tightly (in a safe way) to put everything back in place. This is perhaps why people often misunderstood it as weightloss-inducing because when your tummy is tucked in and waistline redefined, it does make you look instantly slimmer.
5. Confidence Booster
And when you get to feel slimmer instantly, it makes you feel better which in turn increases your confidence . This is a good thing because it keeps the postpartum blues/depression away. It is a very valid reason to want to look good after giving birth, so do not be afraid of being judged by your 'vanity' because you need to be healthy mentally and emotionally too. If looking good helps you achieve that, why not?
And so, you may say all these benefits lead to one thing - faster recovery for postpartum women.
4. When Should You Wear Your Postpartum Girdle
The answer is: it depends on whether you have natural birth or c-section.
For natural births, you should begin wearing after birth on the day you are discharged from the hospital. This is why you should be getting one now, even before you give birth as it will be one of the many items to pack in your hospital bag. Some women even wear it immediately after delivery to maximise results but we'd recommend checking with your doctor first to get the all-clear.
If you are not wearing one yet, do not fret! It's not too late and you will still see results if it is still within the first 6 months after delivery. This is because the hormones estrogen, progesterone and relaxin, secreted during pregnancy are still present in your body. These hormones loosen the abdominal muscles, pelvic structure and supporting ligaments and joints, making it easy for your body to shrink back down because it is still so flexible during this time.
If you have c-section, most postpartum girdles will require you to wait until your incision has healed, although this one from Bellefit (the best postpartum belly wrap for c section) allows you to wear it immediately after giving birth because it is specially designed for c-section mothers.
5. How Long Should You Wear Your Girdle
It depends on which postpartum girdle you get. Most will have instructions telling you the optimum hours you can wear them per day. Some allow you to wear day and night while others specifically tell you to remove it before you sleep. The bottom line is, you should never wear your postpartum girdle for too long in a day as you need to let your skin breathe.
You can, however, wear it for several months up to 40 weeks or for as long as you feel you need to before you are back to your pre-baby self and no longer need the additional abdominal support.
6. Why You Should Not Get A Cheap Girdle
You will see many postpartum girdles that are priced very low, some even less than $15 and you will be tempted to get one of these. Let us tell you, no. Please don't waste your money on these girdles because while their prices may be attractive (to say the least), more often than not, they do not come in good quality and have annoying issues like:
- rolling or bunching up when you move around,
- difficult to wear,
- thick and stuffy to wear,
- visible under clothing
With pricier post pregnancy belt wraps, such as those that we recommended in our postpartum belly wrap reviews above, you can have peace of mind that they are made from top notch quality fabric (some are even medically grade) that are light and microporous so that your skin can breathe through them. These will adhere to your skin better without causing any sensitive reaction which is very important because you will be wearing it for at least several hours a day, and comfort should be a top priority.
7. Conclusion
To choose the best belly wrap after pregnancy, know what you like or don't like i.e hook-and-eye or velcro, corset or band, groin flap or without, and price. Of course, important question like c-section (the best postpartum girdle c section) or natural birth (the best post pregnancy belly band for natural birth) should be the first question you consider as it will determine which belly wrap you buy ultimately.
To conclude, postpartum girdles will be one of the best thing to invest in that you will not regret. Yes, it is not a necessity and your body will go back to its old shape by itself, but if this external tool is able to expedite and ease your recovery process, why not give it a try? As long as you adhere to the number of hours you are instructed to wear, postpartum girdles are basically harmless. Of course, you should always check with your doctor before wearing one, and you should not push yourself to continue wearing it if you experience extreme discomfort.
Before you go, why not check out the following maternity care which you may need in your pregnancy journey, too?
