Giving birth to a baby showcases just how amazing your body is. With all the incredible changes your body undergoes, it’s no surprise that you don’t look the same as you did before you were pregnant. Change is a beautiful thing; after all, you just grew a human being! But that doesn’t mean the changes aren’t uncomfortable.
Postpartum belly wraps are designed to help you feel comfortable after giving birth. They hold in your belly that used to be round and full with a baby; they support your lower back and hips, which are still feeling strained after giving birth; and some even have bands that can support your pelvic muscles until they recover.
Postpartum belly wraps might help you fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes, but they’re designed more for comfort than shapewear. There are many different wraps out there, so how do you know which is best for your needs? You don’t need to stress, as we’ll break down everything you need to know about postpartum belly wraps and review our favorites.
- Important Aspects of Postpartum Belly Wraps
- Top 10 Best Postpartum Belly Wraps 2023
- 1. Best Overall Postpartum Belly Wrap: ChongErfei 3-in-1 Postpartum Support Belt
- 2. Best Premium Postpartum Belly Wrap: Belly Bandit Luxe Wrap
- 3. Best Wrap for C-Section Recovery: Gepoetry C-Section Recovery Band
- 4. Best Wrap for Plus Sizes: Goege Postpartum Support Belt
- 5. Best Budget Wrap: Moolida Postpartum Belly Wrap
- 6. Belly Bandit Viscose Bamboo Wrap
- 7. Best Color Choices: Paz Wean Postpartum Recovery Belt
- 8. Best Belly Bandit for Short Torsos: Belly Bandit BFF Belly Wrap
- 9. UpSpring Baby Shrinkx Postpartum Belly Band
- 10. Most Comfortable Wrap: Picotee Postpartum Belly Band
- Complete Guide to Buying the Best Postpartum Belly Wrap
- Final Thoughts on Belly Wraps
Important Aspects of Postpartum Belly Wraps
Postpartum belly wraps might have the bonus of acting like shapewear and allowing you to fit in your favorite jeans, but that shouldn’t be their primary purpose. You don’t want anything too restrictive or a wrap that’s too stiff and digs into your side. That’s the last thing you need during recovery!
Postpartum belly wraps are made to give you support and even offer pain relief for certain conditions like c-section recovery or pelvic girdle pain. These wraps are also helpful in allowing your abdominal muscles to recover, especially when you have diastasis recti. We cover more about each of these postpartum conditions and the benefits of using wraps in our faq section below.
Before buying a postpartum belly wrap, there are a few things to look for.
Sizing
There are two important considerations when you’re shopping for a belly wrap.
Waist Size
The first is your waist size since most of the wraps use this measurement in inches to determine their sizing. Measuring your waist is easy to do after you’ve had a baby, but what if you’re still pregnant?
In that case, many manufacturers have some way of figuring out which size will work best for you. Some are based on your current weight or your pre-pregnancy dress size, and others, like Belly Bandit, have a handy chart.
Torso Size
The other sizing aspect to think about before ordering a belly wrap is whether you have a long or short torso. It’s helpful to know this about yourself because it makes a difference in how the wrap fits you. If you buy one that’s too tall, it’ll dig into your ribs whenever you sit down. If you buy one that’s too short, it won’t compress the right areas of your abdomen. We’ve noted which wraps are best for long or short torsos in our reviews.
Ease of Use
Just like when you were pregnant, your postpartum body changes as the months go by. Having an adjustable belly wrap is essential so that you don’t have to buy multiple sizes. It’s also helpful to have a wrap that you can put on and take off easily.
If you don’t have anyone to help you tighten the wrap or don’t want to ask for help every time you put it on, it’s better to look for wraps that are simpler. However, that depends on your needs. Suppose you have many different conditions you want to treat, such as diastasis recti and pelvic girdle pain. In that case, you’ll likely need a more complicated wrap like the ChongErfei 3-in-1 Wrap.
Comfort
There’s a lot of discomfort that goes along with the postpartum period, no matter how you gave birth to your baby. Everything you wear should be comfortable, including your belly wrap. You want to look for one like the Belly Bandit Viscose Bamboo Wrap that isn’t too stiff and restrictive, that allows you to adjust it so it doesn’t dig into your side. It should also be made from comfortable materials.
Sleek and Discreet
It might seem impossible when you first bring home your fragile-looking newborn, but eventually, you’re going to want to leave the house. Or at least have friends and family visit. This means you’ll want to ditch the PJs for real clothes, and it’s nice if your postpartum belly wrap is as invisible under your clothes as your underwear. Wraps like the Paz Wean Recovery Belt that are soft and sleek are best if you don’t want parts like ribbing or the outline of Velcro to show.
As a quick reference for you, we’ve also included which wraps are best for each common postpartum condition, the level of compression you can expect, and the height of the wrap. Let’s get started.
Top 10 Best Postpartum Belly Wraps 2023
1. Best Overall Postpartum Belly Wrap: ChongErfei 3-in-1 Postpartum Support Belt
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Compression Level: Moderate
- Good For: C-Section Recovery, Diastasis Recti, Pelvic Girdle Pain, General Recovery
- Wrap Height: 9 Inches
The ChongErfei 3-in-1 Postpartum Belly Wrap is a great choice if you want to stretch your dollar. It includes a belly wrap, a waist belt, and a pelvis belt to save you from having to buy them separately. The wrap is available in beige or black, and you can get it in “one size,” which fits women who weigh up to 190 pounds when they give birth, and “plus-size,” which fits women who weigh 190+ pounds when they give birth.
Comfort
The fishbone design on this wrap allows a lot of airflow, so it isn’t as hot as other brands. We still recommend wearing this on top of a soft cami or tank top, though, just to make sure your skin is protected.
It compresses without making it impossible to breathe, and it flexes well with your body. If you’ve had a c-section, you can place the belts so they don’t rub the incision, which is important for your healing and recovery.
Ease of Use
At first glance, this wrap looks intimidatingly complicated with all its Velcro and belts! However, it includes a one-page instruction sheet that tells you exactly when to add each belt postpartum.
For the first week after birth, you wear only the stomach belt. After that, you add the waist belt for the first six weeks. Beginning week seven, you add the pelvic belt. The Velcro also makes it easy to adjust the wrap without taking it off. You can fully control how much compression you get with this wrap, which is a nice aspect.
Verdict
The ChongErfei 3-in-1 Postpartum Belly Wrap’s customizable belts are handy for getting the most out of your wrap at an inexpensive price point. Although the wrap works well at compression and support at first, it quickly loses its hold and folds over or slips out of place. It’s also quite bulky under clothes. If you plan to use this wrap for a short time during your postpartum period, then this is a great choice.
Pros
- Customizable belts for any postpartum condition
- Inexpensive price point
- Breathable, fishbone design
- Plenty of support and compression
- Sizing fits a wide range of women
Cons
- Bulky under clothing
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Compression Level: High
- Good For: C-Section Recovery, Diastasis Recti, General Recovery
- Wrap Height: 11 inches in the front and 12 inches in the back
Did you know most major insurance companies cover many Belly Bandit products? Our premium choice is one of them! The Belly Bandit Luxe Belly Wrap combines the rigidity of a corset with the compression of a wrap.
The ribbing and arched back of the wrap corrects your posture and supports your lower back, while the two velcro panels cinch in your belly. The Luxe Belly Wrap is the longest wrap Belly Bandit makes, so it’s best for women with long torsos. It measures eleven inches from top to bottom in the front and twelve inches in the back.
The wrap is available in black and nude, and it runs from an extra-small to an extra-large. Belly Bandit has a handy chart that allows you to find your correct size even if you’re pregnant, and it also shows the sizes by typical dress sizes and in inches.
Comfort
The Luxe Belly Wrap is made of a soft and sleek material that feels good to the touch. Since it covers so much of your abdomen, you’ll feel completely supported. If you have a short torso, though, you may find that it digs uncomfortably into your ribs when you sit down. The firm support of this wrap helps with pain, especially from your lower back.
Ease of Use
The wrap is easy to put on since it’s one piece, and the two Velcro bands allow you to secure it quickly. The wrap runs on the smaller side, so we recommend buying the Luxe Belly Wrap Extender. With the extender, you can fit into a smaller size right after giving birth, and then you’ll be able to tighten it as your belly shrinks.
Verdict
The Belly Bandit Luxe Belly Wrap is ideal if you want a high-quality wrap with the rigid support of a corset. This wrap is best for women with long torsos; otherwise, it tends to dig into your ribs. If you have a short torso or are petite, we recommend the Belly Bandit BFF Wrap instead. The fact that it’s covered by insurance companies means by submitting a claim you might not have to pay the bill for it either.
Pros
- Soft and sleek material
- High compression
- Great support
- Covered by most major insurance companies
Cons
- Not suitable for short torsos
3. Best Wrap for C-Section Recovery: Gepoetry C-Section Recovery Band
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Compression Level: Moderate
- Good For: C-Section Recovery, Diastasis Recti, Pelvic Girdle Pain, General Recovery
- Wrap Height: 11.5 inches to 12 inches
The Gepoetry C-Section Recovery Band is a prettier, more comfortable c-section band than the one they give you in the hospital. The band is available in black or pink, and the sizing ranges from small to extra-large. The manufacturer gives you a chart of waist measurements to determine what size you are, and they range from 24 inches to 48 inches.
The curved design fits your body better and allows you to tighten the belts to get the optimal compression level. There are separate velcro belts that enable you to customize the compression levels in different areas of your abdomen. The wrap also has steel boning to give you firmer support for your lower back.
The manufacturer recommends hand-washing this band to keep it looking new. Hand-washing can be inconvenient when you have to wear this wrap all day, though.
Comfort
The Gepoetry C-Section Recovery Band is made from a medical-grade fabric that’s 90% cotton, so it’s soft and lightweight. Because of the steel boning, the band is uncomfortable when you bend over or sit for long periods.
Ease of Use
The band is easy to put on by yourself, thanks to the wide velcro tabs that secure it around you. Two separate belts are attached to the wrap and allow you to tighten it as much as you’d like. The band is slim enough to not show up under your clothes.
Verdict
The Gepoetry C-Section Recovery Band is perfect for moms needing support after a c-section. The material is soft, lightweight, and the band comes in a wide range of sizes. The wrap is long enough to cover your hips, but it might be a little too long on petite moms.
The steel boning is also uncomfortable when you bend over or sit, making it hard to wear for long periods. The wrap only fits waists up to 48 inches, which is smaller than many other wraps
Pros
- Soft and lightweight
- Made of 90% cotton
- Great support and compression
- Easy to put on
Cons
- Uncomfortable when you sit or bend over
- Runs small
4. Best Wrap for Plus Sizes: Goege Postpartum Support Belt
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Compression Level: Moderate
- Good For: C-Section Recovery, Diastasis Recti, Pelvic Girdle Pain, General Recovery
- Wrap Height: 9 inches
The Goege Postpartum Recovery Belt comes in many different sizes, from small to 3-XL. Before ordering, you’re supposed to measure your waist and hips to see which size range you fit into. This can be hard if you’re trying to order while still pregnant, though! We recommend ordering a size bigger than your normal size pre-pregnancy. So if you’re usually a medium, order a large.
Because this wrap isn’t as long as others, it doesn’t cover as much area if you have a long torso. You’re left with choosing whether to wrap just your upper abs and leave out your hips or move the wrap lower and cover your lower abs, hips, and pelvis.
Comfort
This wrap has two layers of Velcro, which makes it bulky under your clothes. The outer layer of Velcro can also scratch your baby while you’re holding them, so we recommend layering with thin tank tops. Wear one tank top below the wrap, fasten the two layers of Velcro, and then add another tank on top of that before putting on your regular clothes. This will make it more comfortable for you and your baby.
Ease of Use
The Goege Postpartum Recovery Belt is easy to use since it’s just one piece instead of several different belts, similar to the ChongErfei 3-in-1 Wrap. You can adjust the wrap with the two layers of Velcro, making it easy to get a more custom size. However, the wrap loses some of its grip over time and starts to roll down and not tighten as well.
Verdict
The Goege Postpartum Recovery Belt is a solid inexpensive choice if you have only one postpartum condition you need to target, like diastasis recti. If you need a wrap covering your entire abdomen plus your hips and pelvis, this isn’t the best belt. Something like the ChongErfei is better because it will help you recover in multiple areas.
Pros
- Fits a wide range of sizes
- Inexpensive price point
- Easy to adjust
- Good support and compression
Cons
- Bulky under clothing
- Rolls down
5. Best Budget Wrap: Moolida Postpartum Belly Wrap
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Compression Level: Moderate
- Good For: C-Section Recovery, Diastasis Recti, General Recovery
- Wrap Height: 10 inches
The Moolida Postpartum Belly Wrap is similar to the Gepoetry C-Section Recovery Band, only it has one large panel that wraps around instead of three tabs. It has two attached belts that allow you to pull it tight. The Moolida comes in black, white, pink, and beige. The sizes range from extra-small to extra-large, with waist measurements of 24 inches to 49 inches.
Comfort
Since the wrap is made of mostly cotton, it’s lightweight and soft. The steel boning can pinch at times, especially when you’re sitting or lying down. It also doesn’t stay in place very well and tends to bunch up. This is mostly due to the velcro belts losing their hold.
Ease of Use
The first part of the wrap is easy to get on since it’s just one panel that wraps around, but the belts are tricky. They don’t stay in place, and it’s hard to know exactly where to attach them. The compression level of this wrap isn’t very strong since the Velcro loses its grip.
Verdict
The Moolida gives you a few more inches to work with around the waist than the Paz Wean Recovery Belt, and it’s made of soft cotton. However, this wrap just doesn’t stay in place well, especially if you have a short torso. It rides up and becomes uncomfortable when you’re sitting.
Pros
- Made of cotton
- Simple design
- Easy to put on and take off
- Supportive
Cons
- Supportive
- Steel boning can pinch
6. Belly Bandit Viscose Bamboo Wrap
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Compression Level: High
- Good For: C-Section Recovery, Diastasis Recti, General Recovery
- Wrap Height: 9 inches
Also covered by most major insurances is the Belly Bandit Viscose Bamboo. This is the softest wrap in the Belly Bandit line, and it’s available in black or nude. It comes in sizes from extra-extra-small to extra-large, and you can always extend any of the sizes with their extender.
Comfort
This wrap is super soft thanks to the viscose made from bamboo. It may fit women with short torsos better since it’s nine inches from top to bottom instead of the Belly Bandit Luxe Wrap, which is eleven. It still has a tendency to wrinkle up, but the material is softer, so it’s not as bothersome.
Ease of Use
The Viscose Bamboo is only one piece with one wide velcro section to fasten, so it’s straightforward to use. The wrap adjusts up to nine inches, which allows you to tighten it as you shrink down after giving birth.
Verdict
If you’re looking for a soft wrap in the Belly Bandit style, then the Viscose Bamboo Wrap is an ideal choice. It’s easy to use and better for women with shorter torsos. The wrap does tend to wrinkle and lose its shape over time, but it doesn’t affect its compression ability. It’s also bulky under your clothing, so it’s uncomfortable when you wear it outside your house.
Pros
- Soft and comfortable material
- Covered by most major insurance companies
- High compression
- Easy to put on
Cons
- Bulky under clothing
- Loses its shape over time
7. Best Color Choices: Paz Wean Postpartum Recovery Belt
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Compression Level: Low
- Good For: C-Section Recovery, Pelvic Girdle Pain, General Recovery
- Wrap Height: 13 inches
The Paz Wean Postpartum Belly Band is similar to the Gepoetry C-Section Recovery Band, only it doesn’t have the extra velcro belts to wrap around it.
If you’re looking for a more simplistic design, then this is a great choice. The wrap has three wide tabs that secure around your abdomen, and the steel boning gives your back plenty of support. The belly band is available in more colors than other postpartum wraps, including white, yellow, pink, and a soft ballet pink.
The band comes in a range of sizes from small to extra-large, and it fits waists from 25 inches to 45 inches.
Comfort
The Paz Wean Postpartum Belly Band is made of 100% cotton, and the material is quilted to make it soft and cushiony without being bulky. The band’s curved shape helps it follow the lines of your body, but the elastic is a bit too stretchy. It ends up being weak on the compression, and even the steel boning is flexible to the point that it doesn’t offer as much support.
Ease of Use
This belly band is one of the easiest to use because it curves to fit your body and only has the three elastic tabs in the front that secure it. You don’t have to deal with extra belts or try and figure out where each strap goes.
Verdict
The Paz Wean Postpartum Belly Band is perfect for moms looking for gentle compression and support after birth. The cotton wrap is soft and lightweight, and you can wear it under your clothes without anyone noticing. The compression and support are too weak to be of much use for diastasis recti, but the wrap does cover your hips. The wrap also runs small, so it isn’t a good fit for plus sizes.
Pros
- Simple design
- Inexpensive price point
- 100% cotton
- Easy to put on
Cons
- Not much compression or support
- Runs small
8. Best Belly Bandit for Short Torsos: Belly Bandit BFF Belly Wrap
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Compression Level: High
- Good For: C-Section Recovery, Diastasis Recti, General Recovery
- Wrap Height: 8 inches
The Belly Bandit BFF Wrap is their shortest wrap, so it’s perfect for petite women with short torsos. It measures eight inches from top to bottom, which is one inch shorter than the Belly Bandit Viscose Bamboo Wrap. The BFF has two velcro tabs to secure it around you for a good fit. The BFF comes in sizes from extra-small to extra-large, but according to Belly Bandit, you want the wrap to barely fit. This way, you have plenty of room to shrink. If you buy a size that’s so small you can’t close it at all, then you can always buy an extender.
The Belly Bandit BFF comes in cream or black, and it has six built-in support panels to keep your back straight.
Comfort
The Belly Bandit BFF is covered in viscose bamboo, so it’s very soft to the touch. It’s contoured to fit your curves, and it’s rigid like a corset to give you plenty of back support. The high compression feels good for pain, but the wrap is too short to cover your hips.
Ease of Use
Since the wrap is only one piece with two panels that you Velcro to secure it around you, it’s easy to wear. The hardest part is knowing which size to get, but the sizing video and measuring yourself helps.
Verdict
The Belly Bandit BFF is ideal for moms with short torsos recovering from a c-section, diastasis recti, or general postpartum recovery. The wrap doesn’t cover the hips and pelvis, so it’s not useful for minimizing pain in those areas. Like the other Belly Bandit wraps, this one tends to get creases in it that dig into your side over time.
Pros
- Soft, comfortable material
- Fits a wide range of sizes
- High compression and good support
- Perfect for petite moms
Cons
- Doesn’t cover the hip or pelvis
- Wrap gets creases that causes it to dig into your side
9. UpSpring Baby Shrinkx Postpartum Belly Band
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Compression Level: Moderate
- Good For: C-Section Recovery, Diastasis Recti, General Recovery
- Wrap Height: 9 inches
If you like your postpartum belly wrap like you do your smoothie—with a shot of activated charcoal—you’ll love the UpSpring Baby Shrinkx Postpartum Belly Band with bamboo charcoal fibers.
The fibers on the inner part of the wrap are meant to reduce inflammation and swelling in your body. However, studies haven’t proven whether or not charcoal is effective at reducing inflammation in the skin.
Still, it’s a nice wrap with mild to moderate compression. There are only two sizes, though. Small/medium fits waists from 25 to 44 inches and large/extra-large fits waists from 45 to 52 inches. It also only comes in one color: charcoal.
Comfort
The UpSpring Baby Shrinkx does its job well if you have a short torso. It fits well on your abdomen and compresses in the right places, and the material is breathable and comfortable. It tends to ride up for women with long torsos when you sit down, and it doesn’t compress low in your abdomen as you need it to. It’s also bulky and shows under clothes, though not as much as some of the more complicated wraps.
Ease of Use
The UpSpring wrap isn’t complicated since it only has one large panel and two belts to deal with. However, it’s hard to get the wrap tight enough by yourself. The belts are super stretchy, and then the wrap doesn’t hold as well without them, so it ends up not giving you the compression you need.
Verdict
The UpSpring Baby Shrinkx Bamboo Charcoal wrap is comfortable enough to wear against your skin, which is the only way to get the charcoal yarn’s benefits. The wrap provides good compression if your partner helps you put it on tightly enough, but it’s tricky to get it tight enough by yourself. It’s also pricey without really justifying the cost. If you’re keen on the charcoal ‘gimmick’ however, and are interested in an otherwise high-quality general wrap, that price might well be worth paying.
Pros
- Good for short torsos
- Mild to moderate compression that you can adjust
- Bamboo charcoal yarn to improve circulation
- Breathable, comfortable material
Cons
- Pricey
- Tricky to get it tight enough by yourself
10. Most Comfortable Wrap: Picotee Postpartum Belly Band
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Compression Level: Low
- Good For: C-Section Recovery, General Recovery
- Wrap Height: 9 inches
If you’re looking for a simple, comfortable wrap, then the Picotee Postpartum Belly Band is a great choice. The wrap just has two panels that wrap around with no extra belts to deal with. The wrap comes in nude or black, and it’s available in small to extra-extra-large. The waist measurements range from 27.5 inches to 48.5 inches, so it’s not as accommodating for very small waists or plus sizes.
Comfort
At only 2 mm thick, this wrap is truly thin and lightweight. The inner lining is cotton so that it won’t irritate your skin, and the outer part is a silky nylon that won’t scratch your baby. The wrap is curved to follow your body’s natural lines, and there are two flexible steel rods to give it some shape.
Ease of Use
Without extra belts to secure, the Picotee wrap is easy to put on yourself. It’s so thin you won’t see it under your clothes, and it won’t bother you while you’re sitting or lying down.
Verdict
The Picotee Postpartum Belly Band is perfect for light compression and support. It’s easy to use, and it won’t show under your clothes. Unfortunately, though, you trade firm compression and support for comfort. It just doesn’t hold you in as well as the other wraps. This wrap is also on the smaller side and doesn’t accommodate plus sizes well.
Pros
- Very comfortable and lightweight
- Easy to wear
- Doesn’t show up under clothing
- Light compression and support
Cons
- Compression isn’t very strong
- Sizing is small
Complete Guide to Buying the Best Postpartum Belly Wrap
In addition to sizing, comfort, ease of use, and how the wraps look under clothes, there are a few other things you should think about before buying a postpartum belly wrap. Most importantly, you should consider which postpartum conditions you’d like to treat. We’ll cover the most common ones so you can understand the benefits of wearing a postpartum belly wrap.
Which Conditions Are Postpartum Belly Wraps Good For?
Belly wraps aren’t just helpful for general postpartum recovery. They can also bring you a lot of comfort and even pain relief when you’re managing other conditions after giving birth.
Diastasis Recti
Diastasis recti is when the abdominal muscles separate from each other down the center line. Instead of having a nice row of abdominal muscles close together, diastasis recti causes a bulge in the center. A postpartum belly wrap helps give your back much-needed support for your weakened abdominal muscles when you have this condition. It also compresses the muscles back together to help you heal and recover.
C-Section Recovery
Many OB-GYNs recommend wearing a postpartum belly wrap after a c-section to help take pressure off your incision site. It helps if your belly is pulled in rather than resting down below the incision. Some doctors also think wearing a wrap reduces the amount of bleeding after a c-section. One study found that a postpartum wrap does reduce pain levels after a c-section, and you need all the comfort you can get during recovery!
Pelvic Girdle Pain
Pelvic girdle pain is where you have a ring of pain all around your hips and pelvis that may spread to the joints or down the thighs. During pregnancy, the pain is due to your baby’s weight and the loosening of your tendons thanks to the hormone relaxin. This discomfort can carry over after you give birth. Wraps that target the hips and pelvis may help with pelvic girdle pain.
General Recovery
Postpartum belly wraps are also helpful for any mother who is struggling with back pain after giving birth. Sometimes your back hurts from the stress and trauma of giving birth, or it hurts because the downward pull of your postpartum belly puts stress on your lower back.
What Else Should You Consider Before Buying a Belly Wrap?
There are several things to take into account before you set off to find the best postpartum belly wrap for your needs.
Not Too Restrictive
Some compression is good for postpartum swelling, but too much can be harmful. It can cause swelling above and below the wrap, and it may even irritate your sensitive skin. The last thing your tender insides need when they’re trying to move back to their usual places is to be squished! You also don’t want to secure your wrap so tightly that it digs into your sides and makes it uncomfortable to sit down. It should provide gentle compression and support.
Comfort vs. Compression
It’s also important to consider which is more important to you: a comfy wrap with gentle compression and support or a wrap with rigid support and high compression. The answer to that most likely depends on which postpartum condition you want to treat. For diastasis recti, you’ll need more compression, but for general recovery, you can pick a wrap that’s comfier to wear.
Stays in Place
Having to adjust the top of the wrap continually is frustrating and may even cause your skin to get rubbed and irritated. A wrap with good quality velcro that holds up over time can help keep it in place.
Cost
Postpartum belly wraps are available in almost every price range. Since you’re only wearing the wrap for a relatively short time after giving birth, for many women, it doesn’t make sense to buy one that’s really expensive. To make your dollar stretch, though, it’s helpful to buy a wrap that fits a wide range of sizes so you can make it much smaller as your abdomen shrinks.
Insurance Coverage
The cost of Belly Bandit wraps is reimbursable by most major insurance companies, so be sure to contact your medical insurance provider to see what the requirements are. In most cases, you’ll need a prescription from your physician requiring a postpartum belly wrap. Belly Bandit has a helpful page on their site that gives you the medical codes and which wraps are generally covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Belly wrapping is an old practice in many cultures, and Westerners are just now catching on to the possible benefits. If you’re unfamiliar with belly wrapping after having a baby, we’ve got the answers to the most common questions.
What Are Postpartum Belly Wraps?
Postpartum belly wraps are a type of support garment meant for women to wear after giving birth. They wrap around the abdomen and compress it, typically with some sort of velcro belt, which helps with swelling and provides support to weak abdominal muscles. Some wraps stretch all the way from just beneath your bra band to just below your hips. Others have removable bands that allow you to adjust exactly where you’d like the support and compression.
They are known by many different names, so if you’re doing a search, you might see them called something other than a wrap. When the wrap is called a “girdle” or “corset,” it’s typically one that has rigid supports.
You may see wraps called one of these names as well.
- Postpartum belly band
- Postpartum girdle
- Postpartum corset
- Postpartum binder or belly binder
What Are the Benefits of Wearing a Postpartum Belly Wrap?
There aren’t many studies out there looking at the effects of wearing a postpartum belly wrap (although there should be!), so wrapping benefits aren’t backed by official research studies. However, there are elements of the belly wrap that we know are beneficial after giving birth.
For example, most women experience some form of postpartum swelling, especially if you received IV fluids. Compression is known to reduce swelling, so it makes sense that a postpartum belly wrap would help reduce bloating and swelling after giving birth. Just be sure not to wrap too tightly, or you may have the opposite effect.
Wrapping your postpartum belly can also help take some stress off your lower back and improve your posture. This also helps alleviate lower back pain.
It also helps keep your belly away from your c-section incision, though make sure you ask your OB-GYN their opinion on using a belly wrap after surgery.
A postpartum belly wrap can also help your abdominal muscles recover, even if you don’t have diastasis recti. It does this by giving your abs some support in holding up your postpartum belly.
Do Postpartum Belly Wraps Help You Lose Weight?
The short answer is no. Although many postpartum belly wraps claim to help you slim down after giving birth, your body does that naturally. Your uterus eventually shrinks back down to its normal size after about six weeks postpartum. However, if you have diastasis recti, then wearing a wrap may help the abdominal muscles recover, which in turn may help your belly look slimmer. Compression may also help with bloating and swelling after giving birth.
How Long Should You Wear a Postpartum Belly Wrap?
Since it takes your uterus about six weeks to shrink back down to its pre-pregnancy size, it’s best to wear a postpartum belly wrap for at least that long. You can wear it up to eight weeks postpartum to ensure you’re getting the full benefits while your body is recovering. Relaxin, the hormone that causes your ligaments to soften in order to give birth, may remain in your body for up to five months postpartum. If you’re experiencing discomfort and pain, especially pelvic girdle pain and lower back pain, you can continue to wear a postpartum belly wrap if it gives you comfort and support.
The manufacturers of postpartum belly wraps recommend wearing the wrap just about every second of the day, but you may need to work up to wearing the wrap for long periods. Start with only an hour or so and see how you feel. Is it too tight? Is it irritating your skin or causing any sort of discomfort? Keep checking in with yourself each day, and if you’re still feeling comfortable, you can slowly increase the number of hours you wear the wrap—up to eight hours a day. You don’t need to wear it at night, too, though. Give your body a rest while you sleep.
When Should You Start Wearing a Belly Wrap?
As soon as the nurses stop pushing on your uterus to check your bleeding in the hospital—just one of the many things we go through after giving birth!—you can start wearing a postpartum belly wrap. This should be around the second day after having your baby, possibly later if you had a difficult birth. Always do what’s best for your body. If you’re uncomfortable and find the compression doesn’t help, then wait a day or two and try again.
Tips for Wearing Your Postpartum Belly Wrap
- Wear your wrap over a cami or tank top to avoid having it rub against your skin.
- Don’t tighten it so much that it’s hard to take a deep breath.
- Don’t tighten it to the point that it’s uncomfortable.
- Stop wearing the wrap as soon as your abdominal muscles can comfortably support your torso again; otherwise, you risk weakening your core and pelvic floor muscles.
- If you’ve had a c-section, don’t wear any wraps that fit over the incision site until it’s completely healed.
Final Thoughts on Belly Wraps
Postpartum belly wraps can bring lots of comfort and support during your recovery period. There are plenty of affordable choices, and many that may even be covered by your medical insurance provider. Congratulations on your newest little one, and we hope one of these wraps will help make your recovery an easy one!