Binding Postpartum | Choosing The best belly wrap, faja, or girdle

Wrapping your belly postpartum is a very controversial polarizing concept. Many birth workers are divided on whether or not it’s best for postpartum women to wrap their belly. However, in most indigenous cultures around the world, some sort of binding is used postpartum, whether it be an intricately wound strip of fabric or a girdle. The closing of the womb and resetting of the hips is an age old tradition the world around.

Benefits of Binding Postpartum

POne of the best arguments for wearing a Belly wrap postpartum can support abdominal muscles and can aid with healing diastasis recti, a condition where the abdominals that separated to accommodate the baby in your belly remain separated postpartum
Binding your belly can help alleviate lower back pain
A secure belly wrap, girdle, or faja can improve your postpartum posture
They can alleviate other pain and pressure (particularly around a c-section incision)
They’re said to help reduce swelling
The uterus is going through a period of shrinking during postpartum, belly wraps can assist in the speeding up of the shrinking process of the uterus and help internal organs return back to their normal shape. by providing measured compression
conceal the “baby pooch” if you’re into that kind of thing

There isn’t a belly wrap, faja or girdle that is going to help you lose your postpartum weight

What to Consider When Choosing a Postpartum Girdle

Comfort | Your body is going through enough pain as it heals postpartum, your girdle should not add to that pain. As your uterus shrinks back down to its normal size you want to be careful not to squeeze it out of place with a too tight wrap. Your belly wrap should feel snug, not tight on your postpartum midsection.

Ease of Use | the best belly wrap is one that you will actually have the stregth to use postpartum. Make sure to get a belly binder that you can put on by yourself, quick, fast, and in a hurry.

How Adjustable it is | As your body heals postpartum every day will be entirely new and different. Some days your core will feel better than others and you will need a more snug fit. Choosing a belly binding option that will accommodate your ever changing postpartum body is important, some garments are more customizable

Appearance under clothing | You want your belly band to be seamless My uniform year-round is essentially a crop-top and a high-waisted bottom, so I prefer my belly binding mechanism to stop slightly below my bra line.

Bathroom Access | you have to consider going to the bathroom there are full-body belly binding fajas on the market that often times have bathroom access, but something about that just doesn’t feel sanitary. I opted for belly binding options that were concentrated on supporting my midsection only

Choosing a Postpartum Belly Wrap

Traditional Postpartum Belly Wrap | The wrap I purchased, known as a bengkung by the Malaysian culture, is substantial and highly customizable. I love that putting it on feels like a ritual. meant to be done with help but easily doable solo, the rhythmic knotting, and wrapping really leave your body feeling secure and supported. If i only had one child I’d probably be more dedicated to this wrap, but finding the time to put it on every day with two tiny demanding humans has proven tougher than expected.

PROS| highly customizable
CONS |Time consuming to put on and very bulky under clothing

Short Torso Belly wrap | I have not tried this one but it comes highly recommended. It’s designed by a mother for postpartum bodies and made in America

PROS| Designed specifically for postpartum belly binding Perfect for short torsos
CONS |added padding at front and awkward shape under clothing

Plus Size postpartum belly wrap | As I searched for postpartum bindings I started to realize that my body was the largest one size that most companies accommodate. Sizing will say 5x but will suit a 40-inch waist, leaving out the large majority of postpartum bodies. This wrap accommodates a 32″ waist to an 82″ inch waist

PROS| Extended sizes for more birthing bodies
CONS |Limited compression and not very customizable

Tonal Postpartum Girdle | This high-quality corset with the soft boning and 3 rows of hook-and-eye closures is geared towards inclusive hues,

PROS| Great for longer Torsos
CONS |hook-and-eye closures take longer to get into and might be hard to see over your new boobs

Neutral Postpartum Girdle | This girdle offered in three sartorial neutral shades is perfect for the body postpartum body with a shorter torso. Its secured with 3 rows of hook-and-eye closures so that you can size down as/if you slim down. I like the weight and feel of this girdle and think it would provide a sufficient hold

PROS| Great for Shorter Torsos and WOC owned
CONS |hook-and-eye closures take longer to get into

Sleek Postpartum Compression Girdle | The beauty of this postpartum “girdle” is that it has no clasps or zippers, it’s essentially an elastic compression band that targets your middle. You simply pull it on and off, by stepping into it and just slipping it over your hips. It’s the sleekest no-frills option. I ended up trading it in for something new because I have a really short torso, and the bony dug into my thighs, but the second they come out with a short torso version I’d be hooked on this

PROS|perfect for longer/regular length torsos
CONS |less secure hold

Active Postpartum Belly Wrap | what I like about this wrap, which is technically a “sweatband” is the relative ease with which you put it on. I simply wrap myself in it like a burrito, on days when I want extra support i ask my husband to hold one end while I roll into it. I don’t do any actual exercise at three months postpartum so I thankfully don’t have to deal with the “sweat” component. I like that it just feels like you’ve been tucked into bed by a really strong granny

PROS| Short torso friendly and easy to move in
CONS |Adds quite a bit of padding to your midsection, not breathable

Benefits of Binding Postpartum

POne of the best arguments for wearing a Belly wrap postpartum can support abdominal muscles and can aid with healing diastasis recti, a condition where the abdominals that separated to accommodate the baby in your belly remain separated postpartum
Binding your belly can help alleviate lower back pain
A secure belly wrap, girdle or faja can improve your postpartum posture
They can alleviate other pain and pressure (particularly around a c-section incision)
They’re said to help reduce swelling
The uterus is going through a period of shrinking during postpartum, belly wraps can assist in the speeding up of the shrinking process of the uterus and help internal organs return back to their normal shape. by providing measured compression
conceal the “baby pooch” if that’s your thing

There isn’t a belly wrap, faja or girdle that is going to help you lose your postpartum weight

What to Consider When Choosing a Postpartum Girdle

Comfort | Your body is going through enough pain as it heals postpartum, your girdle should not add to that pain. As your uterus shrinks back down to its normal size you want to be careful not to squeeze it out of place with a too-tight wrap. Your belly wrap should feel snug, not tight on your postpartum midsection.

Ease of Use | the best belly wrap is one that you will actually have the strength to use postpartum. Make sure to get a belly binder that you can put on by yourself, quick, fast, and in a hurry.