Postpartum Belly Binding
Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 10:17PM Share Article Be sure to Like the Budget Mommy on facebook to keep up with more great deals!
After I had my first child I read about something called postpartum belly binding and I thought it sounded really interesting. I did some reading up on it when I was pregnant with my second and decided to give it a try as cheaply as I could. The concept is that by wearing something that tightly binds your belly after you have your baby, you help your uterus shrink back down to size, help shrink that flabby tummy, and you also improve your posture while you're nursing (when you have something binding your abs, it's kind of hard to slouch!)
As crazy as it sounds, I really was glad I did it. Granted, I didn't exactly go high tech to do it, but I was actually very happy with the results I got from the $12 I spent. And if it did nothing else, I at least felt less like a cow in those first few weeks postpartum, which is actually pretty nice!
Here are some suggestions for ways to do this, ranging from crazy expensive (but very well known) to highly affordable! By the way, when choosing a size make sure it's actually tight enough to make a difference. If you try it on and can see a difference, as well as feel that it's tight enough to be supporting you then that should be good enough. Don't cut off circulation...we don't have fainting couches around anymore these days!
Belly Bandits are probably the most well known products for this. Ranging from $45-$65, you choose your size and color and hope for the best. It's worth noting that the amount you shrink will probably leave you needing to buy two of these, meaning you'll be out $100 more or less.
Yummie Tummie Long Length Nursing T Shapewear Tank are another well known and super expensive way to go. These have a panel to slim your tummy area while functioning as a nursing cami. This could actually be pretty nice to use when it's warm outside and you don't want a ton of layers on. It's best if you have a spare $76 lying around, because that's the low end of what it will cost.
Hanes Creations Thigh Slimmer is one of the products I used. I liked it very well for the tummy part, though for the thigh area it dug in very obviously to my legs. I took a pair of scissors to it after a few weeks, and was happy with the albeit jagged results. I bought it at Target and it even had a $2 off coupon attached to the tag! It's no longer available for purchase.
Yes, I said one of the products. Here's the other one I tried: ASSETS by Sara Blakely Fantastic Firmers Camisole Shapewear I didn't have great success with this one because I have a larger chest and it just didn't end up fitting me correctly. I wouldn't say it's a bad option, but it just didn't work as well for me. It was also $20, which isn't bad comparatively, but still. There are cheaper ones.
And here, after all is said and done, is the one I would like to try knowing what I know now: The Hanes Women's Satin Waste Cincher. This one appears to do all the things I was hoping for, and it's a whopping $15. If you get a chance to try this yourself, let me know. I'd be interested in hearing your experiences on this!
I brought mine to the hospital with me and wore it not quite full time for several weeks after. I hope you give it a try!
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Reader Comments (12)
Is there a time limit on these things helping? Like Paige is 8 weeks and I still have a belly thanks to her. =) Would this still work? I'd try anything to help tighten my belly up!
I don't think there is any limitation on it, though it may not have very dramatic results at this point. But hey, if you buy one of the inexpensive ones then you don't lose much!
I"m 3 weeks from my due date and so excited you posted this. I am definitely going to give it a try, what a great idea for the Hanes waist cincher. I've seen the expensive ones but didn't want to invest the money.
Thanks!
I just wish I had known about postpartum belly binding before i had my baby... not months afterwards! I've had some results, and decently like, my Amon Maternity bodyshaper.
http://www.mabelshop.com/
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I am a week postpartum with #2 and I have been binding with something that most resembles the Hanes Waist Cincher. I think that my belly is looking as good or better than it did 5 weeks postpartum with #1. It's not the most comfortable thing, but the results so far are worth it.
Medically, these are called abdominal binders and are very useful if you have a diastasis recti (when the abdominal muscles split along the long tendon) from being pregnant. I wore one for 8 weeks and avoided contracting my abs. It healed and now my abs can function properly, thus leading to a flatter tummy. They are very cheap if you get a plain white medical one: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=abdominal+binder&hl=en&client=safari&cid=14398187596441911461&os=sellers#
I had a c section and was put in one right after surgery by my doctor. I still wear one at night (I'm three months pp) just to help tighten the rest of the skin. I had gained forty five pounds during my pregnancy and my stomach has been flatter since week three than it was in high school!
I was researching these and I found this one made by Golds Gym, at wal-mart for only $5! its a lot like the belly bandit but its wayyyy cheaper and is made for working out so it helps with the water retention. I'm 34 weeks pregnant and plan on getting this (and probably some other things) to try!
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gold-s-Gym-Waist-Trimmer-Belt/12167842
If I'm 7 weeks post-partum, is it too late to do this? Meaning, if I start this now (as I'm still nursing) will it have any effect on a flatter belly?
Thanks!
I think it could still have an effect. It might not be quite as substantial, but I think it will still help.
Belly binding can be done at any time, I was reading up on it and it can be done without or without having been pregnant. It helps hold everything up and put it back together. If you exercise in combination of this, you get better results, it helps prevent gravity from working against you.