Expecting moms and new mothers have asked me many times if there is a belly band that I recommend. I’ve tested many belly bands over the years, and I recently found one that I love. It’s from Mamaway, their Nano Bamboo Postnatal Recovery & Support Belly Band. There are many reasons why I’m recommending it to moms. But first, let me break down what a belly band is, the benefits of belly binding, and why I love this belly band from Mamaway.
What Is a Belly Band?
A belly band can also sometimes be called a belly wrap or a belly binder. There are many different types of belly bands or belly binders available. Previous generations used a traditional long muslin cloth fabric for belly binding. We have come a long way since then, and now there are elastic wraps, support belts, girdles, and shapewear that are available.
Some of the most popular and well-known belly bands are made with elastic fabric. That material is then wrapped around a woman’s abdomen post-birth and fastened with velcro. Women wear it during the postpartum period (first 12 weeks after delivery) to provide abdominal support, aid in their recovery after childbirth, and relieve back pain. A woman’s body experiences so many changes during pregnancy and postpartum. A postpartum belly band can help support their organs and muscles while the body heals from pregnancy and birth.
What Are the Benefits of Wearing a Belly Band?
It’s recommended that women wear belly bands after cesarean births, but people are also seeing the benefits of wearing them post-vaginal births, too. They can:
- Help support abdominal muscles when they are at their weakest. This is especially helpful for mothers who have had C-sections. Post-surgery, moms’ abs are weakened and need extra support, especially around the incision site. A belly band can help give you the support you need.
- Assist with diastasis recti, a condition in which the abdominal muscles remain separated after pregnancy. Compression and appropriate core exercises are recommended to prevent a prolapsed uterus and a sagging belly.
Lots of mothers that I’ve worked with have also said their belly band helps:
- relieve pain (lower back and incision pain)
- their muscles and incision heal
- you get moving more comfortably
- increase blood flow
- with posture
- with swelling
Be Mindful.
I want to mention two things about belly bands:
- Belly bands are not waist trainers. They are supportive devices that help with the recovery process post-pregnancy.
- Make sure not to wrap your belly band too tightly. If you cinch the wrap extremely tight, that causes your organs to put intense pressure on your pelvic floor. Wrapping or cinching too tightly could result in a pelvic organ prolapse, which is a descending or dropping of organs from your pelvic floor. If possible, we want everyone to avoid prolapse because it can take longer to rehab and recover from. This is why prevention is best. So remember to tighten your belly band just enough to offer your belly, back, and possible cesarean incision good support, but not too tight.
The Mamaway Bamboo Postnatal Recovery & Support Band
As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve tested several belly bands as a birth doula and a postpartum doula. The Mamaway Bamboo Postnatal Recovery & Support Band has checked all of my boxes. I wish I had found it sooner! Here is why I recommend this postpartum belly band to new moms.
You Can Wear It From Day One.
You can wear this Mamaway postnatal belly band right after a vaginal delivery or cesarean birth. For mothers who have had C-sections, the Mamaway Bamboo Postnatal Recovery & Support Band can help stabilize your incision and minimize associated pain, which allows for greater mobility post-surgery. This is also helpful for mothers who have had vaginal births! After pregnancy, your uterus will involute, and your organs will slowly return to position, typically around six weeks post-pregnancy. Being able to wear this right after giving birth will help support your muscles and loose skin, aiding your recovery.
It’s Fully Adjustable.
One of my favorite features of this Mamaway belly band is its two extra compression belts that provide a more supportive compression. Many belly bands on the market are just one piece of fabric fastened with velcro. This one gives a more secure binding with the double belts, promoting a speedy recovery.
It’s Not Complicated and Is Easy to Put On.
I love how easy it is to put this belly band on. You don’t need someone else’s help to properly and securely wrap it around your abdomen. It’s not complicated or time-consuming — no hook and eye closures — so in less than a minute, you can have this comfortably on.
It Isn’t Stiff and Moves With Your Body.
The Mamaway postnatal belly band has a wide design that covers the entire abdomen. It also has individually woven stripes that move independently of each other. When wearing it, I like how it feels sturdy yet flexible and provides a gentle force distributed throughout. It’s also nice that it’s not bulky, so you can easily wear it under clothing. You’ll feel good compression and notice that it still bends, twists, and moves freely with your body.
It Provides Excellent Support!
Most women have very weak core muscles after giving birth. Some even experience a dramatic abdominal separation for months or years post-pregnancy. Wearing a belly band like Mamamay’s Bamboo Postnatal Recovery & Support Band can help strengthen your core and stabilize your abdomen. You’ll appreciate having that extra support for your back and core, especially when you’re holding your baby or doing other daily tasks.
It’s Made With Quality Materials.
The entire belly band is made with a unique blend of high-strength fibers that work with the Velcro edge. You can easily get the shape you desire, and it covers up to 4 dress sizes! This way, you can continue to wear it as your body adjusts those first months after birth. All you have to do is adjust the two belts to a comfortable tightness for you.
I also really love how Mamaway weaved bamboo charcoal into the material. That means it has anti-bacterial and anti-odor properties for your peace of mind. The bamboo charcoal also absorbs far-infrared rays from the environment and passes them to your body’s cells. (Far-infrared radiation is proven to improve blood circulation & contractions. Super cool!1)
It’s Breathable.
With the bamboo material and its mesh weave structure, moms can stay cool and dry while being supported in any season. Many other belly bands leave you feeling overheated, not letting air flow through, but this one has you comfortable all day long.
Physiotherapists Recommend It.
After giving birth, many women can experience an “empty” feeling — where their baby once was now an empty uterus remains. While pregnant, the baby provided pressure on the abdomen from the inside. Once the baby is born, that pressure is gone, and it can feel like they’ve lost their core strength. The Mamaway bamboo belly band is recommended by physiotherapists and is TGA-approved. It’s specifically designed to support the uterus, abdomen, pelvis, and back by applying compression on the pelvic and abdominal area to hold the expanded uterus wall, loose skin, and muscles back in place post-pregnancy. It helps women avoid that “empty” feeling.
How to Properly Put It On
When putting on the Mamaway Bamboo Postnatal Recovery & Support Band, wrap the large band around your belly and hips. Do not place it too high around your waist. You want this belly band to provide compression and support around your uterus. Once fastened, grab the two additional straps, cross them, and stick. That’s it!
Expert tip: Before sitting down, pull the product lower to cover your pelvis to avoid irritations and discomfort during prolonged sitting.
Where Can You Buy It?
You can now see why I was excited to partner with Mamaway and share this product with you. You can purchase your own Bamboo Postnatal Recovery and Support Band on the Mamaway website or Amazon!
