Belly binding has traditionally been used to provide the postpartum body the support to assist the abdominal wall muscle retraction, improves posture, support loosened ligaments and provide support to the torso while vital organs return to their pre-pregnancy size and position. Wrapping can be done over your clothes or under using an under wrap. Any woman who has given birth can tell you that the feeling of a squishy belly after several months of a taught firm belly feels a little weird. All of those months of your baby and uterus growing, your skin stretching, and your hips widening takes a toll on your body. Something we don’t often think about though is the baby, uterus, skin, and hips aren’t the only parts undergoing a transformation. The muscles are also equally affected. The great news is, belly binding can help! Your body needs time to heal after your baby is born, and postpartum belly binding may help. Many moms say that belly binding supported their abdominal muscles, improved their posture, and reduced their waistline in the weeks after giving birth.

Barring any complications from delivery—and after receiving the go-ahead from your doctor— postpartum belly bands can be worn immediately after giving birth. Most belly wrap manufacturers suggest wearing one for around 10 to 12 hours each day, for up to six to eight weeks postpartum, to receive the full benefits.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BELLY BINDING?

There are several benefits of postpartum belly binding, including:

• Repairing the diastasis recti – According to the Mayo Clinic, during pregnancy, the growing uterus stretches the muscles in the abdomen. This can cause the two large parallel bands of muscles that meet in the middle of the abdomen to separate — a condition called diastasis recti or diastasis recti abdominis.
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• Pelvic Support – In addition to supporting the abdominal area, belly binding also provides support for your pelvic area. During childbirth, a woman’s body produces something called Relaxin, which helps her body physically become looser and more flexible in order to birth her baby. When binding postpartum, we take advantage of the Relaxin in the body by putting pressure on the hips and pelvis to go back to its pre pregnancy state more easily. This also helps to firm and support the areas that are still loose from pregnancy as the Relaxin reduces in the body.
• Lower back support –  It is well known that the abdominal muscles have a direct relationship to the back muscles. According to www.spine-health.com“…The abdominal muscles and back muscles are key components of [a] muscular network, and provide the strength to keep the body upright and for movement. When these core muscles are in poor condition, additional stress is applied to the spine as it supports the body, and back injury or back pain is more likely”.  With the abdominal support, the back is supported as well. Having lower back support helps to reduce strain and improves posture.
• Emotional/Spiritual benefits – Many women enjoy the modesty of being able to breastfeed without the worry of their belly being exposed. Women also enjoy the process of taking care of their bodies and being able to focus on their recovery and the healing process. They are able to really take that time out each day for self-care and get in touch with their new self and their new role as a mother. Many women use binding as a spiritual or symbolic closure of their pregnancy; especially if they didn’t receive the birth they envisioned.

It is recommended that for a vaginal delivery, you be wrapped within the first week postpartum and if you have had a cesarean 4-6 weeks postpartum with a doctor’s approval. You will continue to wrap for each day, for about 10 hours, up to around the 40-day mark.

DO POSTPARTUM BELLY WRAPS HELP WITH WEIGHT LOSS?

Experts are quick to point out two things that a postpartum wrap will not do — contrary to the promises from ads you may see online. One thing postpartum belly wraps won’t do? Magically shrink your waist back to its pre-pregnancy size. That comes primarily through diet, exercise, and time—though a belly wrap will help provide a smoother appearance under clothes, similar to shapewear.

“They do not help you lose weight after delivery, nor do they have any effect on body shape,” says Dr. Joseph Chappelle, an assistant professor of OB-GYN at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York, and creator of the OB/GYN Podcast. “The most important contributors to postpartum weight loss are diet, exercise and breastfeeding,” says Chappelle. “I do have an issue with the marketing of these products at postpartum women for the sake of weight loss or body slimming.”

While the wraps offer valuable support to weakened muscles, they should not be looked at as a quick way to get back in shape. There is simply no magic solution that will get you the body of your dreams after you give birth. A wrap is not a substitute for building muscle. It is not meant to create a smaller waist. It is meant to support muscles that are feeling unstable.

WARNING!

You are not binding too tightly
Binding too tightly can negate any positive effects by putting too much pressure on the ribcage, abdominal cavity, and pelvic floor. You should be able to take a deep breath into your ribcage while wearing your support garment, and you not feel any restriction of movement. Additionally, you should not feel an increase in pelvic floor symptoms. If you are experiencing this you either have a less than optimal type of binder, or it is simply too tight.

Don’t wear the wrap for longer than you really need to

A postpartum wrap can provide some much-needed support right after you give birth, but there is no reason to keep wearing one for an extended period of time. The concern is delaying our bodies and muscles from recovering on their own. Begin using your own muscles without support whenever you feel comfortable. The sooner you start to use your muscles again, the more quickly they will recover.

The only way for your body to fully recover is to allow your muscles to begin to do the work. This doesn’t mean hitting the gym to do a serious ab workout. Your muscles will begin to recover by doing everyday tasks, like getting out of bed, getting off the couch, standing up, picking up your baby and other ordinary movements. It’s important to use your muscles, but not to overwork them.

You have perineal support at the same time
There are many types of post-birth support garments on the market and it can be quite overwhelming to decide! Avoid any garment that binds the abdomen only. It should also have support for your pelvic region as well.

Reality: Not everyone wants to belly bind and that is just fine. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t feel like you need to do it. Belly binding does not and should not replace a solid rehab exercise program, which is the most critical piece.

Do not use a Waist Trainer

Not all belly binding is created equal and there can be a lot of damage done by what are sometimes referred to as “waist trainers”, why because;

• Does not support the pelvic floor.
• When too tight, can cause prolapse and other pelvic floor symptoms.
• Restricted breathing, not good for core.
• Stress the sympathetic nervous system, causing feelings of overwhelm and anxiety.

Source: Real moms & experts!