Everything moms need to know about belly binding: benefits, risks, and insider tips
Whether you actively seek out celebrity news or not, chances are you have heard about belly binding from a celebrity mom recovering her pre-baby body mere months, if not weeks, after giving birth. This should not come as a surprise – after all, we live in a society obsessed with physical appearance. Just because it is not surprising, it does not mean it is not harmful.
Pregnancy changes your body in every way imaginable, from the shape and position of your hips to your belly. And as soon as they give birth, new moms are put under immense pressure to recover as quickly as possible and regain their pre-baby body. The good news is getting back into your pre-baby jeans is not impossible. In fact, with the proper support, it can be easier than you think!
What is belly binding?
Postpartum belly wrapping, also known as belly binding, has been around for centuries and is only making a comeback thanks to social media and online forums. Women would use muslin or other fabric types to ensure extra support as their bodies recovered by wrapping the cloth around their abdomens. Studies show that belly wraps and binders relieve pain while supporting abdominal muscles and the abdominal wall, and they are usually recommended after any major abdominal surgery, including cesarean section.
Benefits of belly binding
It is not only the weight that changes during the pregnancy. The organs move and change throughout the pregnancy, and hormones such as relaxing help relax the pelvic floor muscles and allow ligaments and joints to loosen up for childbirth. Belly binding will help to bring awareness to the core, while supporting the abdomen as the muscles and organs heal.
Another reason to consider belly binding is that it helps with diastasis recti – a condition common during and following pregnancy where the “six-pack” muscles are separated at the midline of your stomach. These muscles should naturally move back into their place, and belly wrapping can offer additional support and help to restore your core by allowing the connective tissue to strengthen and return to its previous length.
Other benefits include alleviating pain associated with C-section, as well as improving body image and flexibility. Keep in mind that belly binding is not waist training.
What kind of bind is best?
There are various belly wraps to choose from, and it all comes down to your personal preferences and needs. For example, you can use any cloth that has the ability to generate tension and slightly increase pressure as you wrap it manually around your abdomen. If you do not feel like creating your own binder but still want that extra support while you focus on recovery, you can use a pre-constructed solution such as the Ab Wrap System.
How does the Ab Wrap System work?
The Ab Wrap System was designed by a team of pelvic floor physiotherapists and postpartum pelvic floor fitness specialists with expectant moms in mind and it consists of two parts: Ab Tank and Ab Wrap, both of which can be purchased separately. It can be used from the third trimester through delivery and beyond.
The Ab Wrap can be used immediately postpartum and can be worn for up to 12 weeks or until you fully recover and are able to create tension in your abdominal wall. Make sure the wrap is not too tight; otherwise, it might increase IAP (intra-abdominal pressure). By going with a soft wrap, in addition to avoiding excessive pressure on the pelvic floor, you will also ensure the blood flow to the uterus is not constricted.
While their benefits and effects overlap to some extent, the Ab Wrap and Ab Tank were designed to be worn together for best results. The Ab Wrap will provide external support, aid the involution of the uterus, improve circulation, and guide you into restorative posture. On the other hand, the Ab Tank is intended to be worn underneath the Ab Wrap, and it can help you avoid potential chafing and smooth out any unwanted bumps.
The Ab Tank was carefully constructed to fit under the bust and allow easy breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact, which your newborn baby will be grateful for. And if you are looking for a smooth and silky feel, it was made with a lightweight, breathable material that will also accelerate tissue recovery.
Because the Ab System consists of two parts, it allows you to ease yourself into using it, regardless of the sensitivity of your incision. Some moms decide to start with the Ab Tank first and add the Ab Wrap a few days later, while others use both from the get go.
Bonus insider tips
The Ab Wrap System was designed to be safe for use during pregnancy or right after you give birth. However, it does not mean that you will not need any time to get used to it just because it is perfectly safe. Be realistic and patient with yourself.
You have just bought a new life into this world, and it took you nine months to do it. During those nine months, your body went through significant changes, and during childbirth, your body went through a painful, overwhelming experience. Give yourself time to recuperate and rest. Spend as much time with the baby as possible, get to know each other, and pamper yourself. Then, when you feel ready to get back on your feet, try out the Ab Wrap System. Start with the Ab Tank and let your body get used to the sensation. Then, add the Ab Wrap for the added support.
You receive 2 Ab Tanks, 1 Ab Wrap, and 1 laundry bag in your complete system, so you can wear one Ab Tank while the other is being washed. Because the Ab Wrap is worn over the Ab Tank, you do not have to worry about washing it as often. The Ab Tank can be machine washed in cold water, while it is recommended to handwash the Ab Wrap to preserve the Velcro and the elastic.