Using a belly binder like the Postpartum Belly Binder by Misty Phases can help your body heal and recover after giving birth. Your body has just gone through some major changes, but in time, things will mostly return to normal.
How a Belly Binder Works
A postpartum belly binder is made of flexible yet durable material. There are a few different sizes available, depending on how much of the abdomen is covered. Some belly binders are designed to cover the lower abdomen, while others wrap from the waist all the way up to the rib cage.
Wearing a belly binder will help support your lower back and abs, which will be a huge help to you. It also improves your posture, encouraging you to use your abdominal muscles correctly to avoid strain or discomfort.
The compression provided by the tightly wrapped binder helps keep the stomach and organs in place, making it easier for them to heal. Belly binding can help speed up recovery and promote healing. A postpartum binder isn’t wrapped so tightly that it causes discomfort; rather, it’s just snug enough to keep everything in place and can also help relieve pain.
How Long Do I Have to Wait Before Using a Binder
Before you start belly binding, make sure you’ve had a postpartum checkup and received the go-ahead. Some women start belly binding immediately after giving birth, while others need more time.
Postpartum Binding After a C-Section
After being cut open through layers of tissue and muscle, your abdomen could definitely benefit from the support provided by a belly binder. This means that the recovery and healing process will naturally take longer than after a vaginal birth.
A A study conducted in 2015 shows that belly binding after a cesarean delivery can have a significant positive impact. Women who participated in the postpartum belly binding study experienced less pain, discomfort, and bleeding compared to those who did not participate in belly binding.
Postpartum belly binding after a C-section cannot begin until the incision is fully healed and dry. Once your incision has healed and you’ve had a postnatal exam, you can happily begin your belly binding. It will likely be a few weeks before you can start.
Postpartum Belly Binding After Vaginal Birth
Many experts agree that it is generally safe to start postpartum belly binding immediately after giving birth. The only time you shouldn’t start right away is if you experienced complications during your pregnancy or childbirth.
Once you’ve had your postnatal exam, talk to your doctor about when you can start. In most cases, you can start right away. In some cases, it might take a few days before you can begin. The sooner you start postpartum binding, the sooner you’ll recover and the better you’ll feel.
Tips & Things You Should Know
You should know that postpartum belly binding is NOT waist training. It won’t slim and shape your waist the way a waist trainer would. It’s more about providing support and aiding in the healing and recovery process.
Remember that it will take some time before you see any noticeable results. Keep in mind that it took nine whole months for your baby to grow and for your body to undergo these massive changes. It will take time for your body to return to its original shape and size. In fact, some women will never look exactly the same as they did before giving birth—lucky them!
If you start belly binding and find that it’s causing too much discomfort, you’ll either need to loosen the binder or give your body a couple more days before using it again.
You should wear your postpartum binder for 12 hours and then take it off for 12 hours to get the most support and the best results. You should wear the postpartum belt for a month or two before stopping. If, after 60 days, you feel you need more time, it’s perfectly safe to keep using it.
Do not wear your binder while showering or bathing. You can wear it for more than 12 hours, but there’s no need to. Also, avoid wearing it while you sleep.
Wearing a postpartum belly binder can make a difference in many ways during the postpartum period. Don’t take our word for it—give it a try and see for yourself.
