Statistics have shown that after giving birth, especially through cesarean, most mothers usually have sagging abdomens. Well, this is a normal condition because pregnancy and childbearing have caused many major changes in the skin and abdominal muscles. However, this does not mean you are to live with such a sagging tummy all your life.

How to recover quickly and regain shape after a cesarean section? It’s a question many new moms ask. In this article, we’ll walk you through a simple but effective solution: wearing a postpartum belly wrap. Let us explore the wonderful benefits that postpartum belly wraps bring!

The quick guide to postpartum belly wrap

Before learning how a postpartum belly wrap can help you recover from a C-section, we will learn what a postpartum belly wrap is and what types it includes.

What is a postpartum belly wrap?

A postpartum belly wrap is a specially designed band that wraps around a woman’s abdomen after giving birth. For women who have given birth naturally, the postpartum belly band tightens the stomach and hips to reduce the size of the abdomen. For mothers who have had a cesarean section, the postpartum belly band will help prevent risks and support recovery from C-sections.

Alt: A postpartum belly wrap

Types of postpartum belly wraps

There are a few types of postpartum belly bands, and all have certain exclusive benefits.

  • Elastic wraps:  This is the best postpartum belly band, and it is also made in a soft elastic material. Mothers can move flexibly and breathe easily using elastic wraps without experiencing any discomfort. You can choose specialized elastic wraps or use a long piece of fabric instead.
  • Support belt: If you are looking for a postpartum belly band with better support, you can try a support bell. The support bell will correct your back and hip posture, help relieve muscle pain, and support your pelvic floor.
  • Shapewear is a type of maternity and postpartum garment that is tighter than an elastic wrap or support bell. Although shapewear retains some flexibility despite being tighter, some, such as body suits or high-waisted panties, can be inconvenient when changing postpartum bandages.

There are currently many postpartum belly band products on the market for moms to choose. Recommended by moms on Reddit and popular mom bloggers,  the most mentioned brands for maternity belly wraps are Lolalykke, Bellefit, Frida Mom, and Medela.

Lolalykke postpartum belly wrap 

Lolalykke is a postpartum belly wrap brand many pregnant mothers love because of its high-quality products and affordable prices. Designed by famous therapists in Finland, the band helps moms recover effectively after a vaginal birth or a C-section.  It helps with healing Diastasis Recti or separated abdominal muscles and fits your body curves naturally to ensure comfort. The brand also offers a bundle, including a pregnancy band and postpartum support band, to help you better prepare more economically for pregnancy and childbirth.

Frida’s Mom PostPartum support band

The Frida Mom binder offers budget-friendly support for your abdominal muscles, providing needed reinforcement. It features three adjustable straps for targeted core compression, helping you regain mobility after childbirth, whether it’s a c-section or vaginal delivery.

Medela Postpartum support belt

This band supports a quicker return to your usual activities and wardrobe. Made from lightweight, breathable spandex, it comfortably stretches to fit your body’s natural shape.

Alt: Lolalykke’s postpartum belly band

Credit from: Lolalykke

C-section postpartum belly wraps help reduce recovery time

One of the best benefits of a postpartum belly band is that it helps reduce recovery time after C-sections. The belly band will help keep the incision from swelling or tearing while allowing the mother to move easily.

The belly band also helps improve the abdominal skin and overcome the condition of C-section overhang. C-section overhang is a condition where a layer of fat or excess skin appears in the lower abdomen, just above the incision after a cesarean section. It will create a shape like a small “bag” or “screen” protruding from the front of the abdomen, causing an aesthetic loss. Many moms are affected by C-section overhang and it takes very long time for moms to get rid of it. The belly band helps shape the abdomen and effectively limit the C-section overhang.

C-section belly wrap aids recovering from diastasis recti (abdominal separation)

After a C-section or vaginal birth, you probably have diastasis recti. Diastasis recti, also known as abdominal separation, includes the two parts of the rectus abdominis muscle that usually shape the midline of your abdomen, separating from each other, mostly along the lower part of the abdomen. This is because the two abdomen muscles are pushed apart when the uterus expands during pregnancy.

Diastasis recti can lead to some health and appearance problems. An excellent way to help in this condition is the belly band. The belly band helps hold the abdominal muscles in place, giving gentle pressure on the stomach, reducing discomfort, and aiding the healing process after diastasis recti.

Many women may develop and tone their abdominal muscles with simple abdominal workouts. However, some women require the additional support of a postpartum belly wrap to support their waist. This additional support helps keep the muscles intact while you perform basic activities to strengthen them again.

Postpartum belly wrap helps strengthen your abdominal muscle 

Women feel a lot of pain following a C-section, and that pain prevents them from sitting and standing up straight. Several women usually suffer from stomach and back pains after child delivery. Mothers, especially, have to do many things for the baby, such as breastfeeding and bathing the baby and doing other house chores. So, the pain after a C-section and how much physical work a mother engages in may significantly impact her body.

The postpartum belly wrap helps new mothers move freely, such as sitting down, standing up, and carrying things easily without pain. It also helps mothers perform daily tasks with less pain and recover the abdominal muscles faster. The belt applies just enough pressure to the incision to help keep it from tearing, swelling, and discomfort.

Other benefits that postpartum belly wraps offer for moms after C-section

In addition to benefits such as promoting faster recovery time and restoring diastasis recti, the waist belt also has many significant advantages such as:

Strengthening your pelvic floor 

While pregnant, the pelvic floor is stretched to allow for the enlargement necessary to carry a baby. Over-stretching may cause ailments such as urinary incontinence, uterine prolapse, etc., that one may suffer from. After childbirth, it will take quite a period for the pelvic floor to recover to its initial stage. One can use a postpartum belly band to increase the effectiveness of pelvic floor recovery. This will greatly help during gentle compression, hence keeping muscles in place and supporting the pelvic floor precisely.

Provides core and back support

Postpartum belly wraps also provide effective support for the core and back. Belly wraps help keep the core stable, reducing pressure on these muscles, especially after giving birth when these muscles are often weakened. In addition, the belt helps reduce pressure on the lower back muscles, improve posture, and reduce back pain.

Alt: Postpartum belly wraps also provide core and back support

Less pain, less stress

Belly wraps help reduce pressure on the incision, improve posture, and support muscle groups. With the support of a belly wrap, mothers can move freely and be active without much pain. Mothers also lower their risk of stress and postpartum depression by not having to deal with a lot of discomfort after giving birth or after caring for their child.

Bottom Line 

Postpartum belly wraps offer many great benefits for postpartum mothers, especially after C-sections. Belly wraps help speed up recovery after C-section, improve diastasis recti, and provide practical muscle support. Belly wraps will help improve overall health and appearance. If you are thinking of using a postpartum belly wrap, always find out from your doctor if it is right for you. Remember, every woman is different; listen to your body and take expert advice.