Postpartum belly wraps are becoming more and more popular among new moms. Learn some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to this popular mommy product that helps speed up postpartum recovery.
Do you have questions about postpartum belly wraps? Looking to speed up your recovery and came across postpartum girdles and wraps?
Never heard of them and are a bit leery about whether or not it’s a gimmick or if they really work?
I’m a physical therapist, and I want to tell you they work amazingly.
I had 4 babies, and after my pregnancies I wore it during the first few of months postpartum.
Within just a short time frame the postpartum belly wrap made my stomach flat again and helped my uterus to shrink back down to it’s normal side.
Get your most frequently asked questions answered about postpartum belly wraps here in this jammed packed article.
What Does A Postpartum Belly Wrap Do?
It is a wrap you wear around your belly, your lower abdomen, after pregnancy.
You wear it during postpartum recovery to help your belly to decrease in size via compression.
The compression helps to decrease your uterus after having a baby.
The uterus contracts naturally after having a baby and the amount of contraction can be increased if you are breastfeeding.
Postpartum belly wraps act as an assistant to the natural contractions that take place in your uterus. The wrap speeds up the healing process.
that are not meant for pregnancy and should not ever be worn during pregnancy.
Postpartum belly wraps act as an assistant to the natural contractions that take place in your uterus. The wrap speeds up the healing process.
Do Postpartum Belly Wraps Help With Weight Loss?
No, postpartum belly wraps do not help with weight loss. Postpartum belly wraps are not meant to lose belly fat and in no way does it help losing weight. Postpartum belly wraps are meant for shaping and helping your uterus to contract and shrink down to its normal size.
The only way to lose weight and fat is through proper diet and exercise, not from a physical product such as a postpartum belly wrap.
If you feel like you don’t need to lose fat at your lower belly and weight is not a concern but you just feel like your lower pooch is bulging out after pregnancy, the postpartum belly wrap can help make your lower belly pooch tighter in conjunction with proper lower abdominal exercises.
Related: Mommy & Me Workout: 7 Leg Exercises with Baby
How Long Do You Wear A Postpartum Belly Wrap?
You start 48 hours after you have your baby. Do not wear it on the first day.
Wear it up to 4 months postpartum.
I do not like to recommend you wearing it on the first day after delivery because you need to let your body relax and get comfortable after you just went through childbirth. There is no need to start that early.
Start wearing the postpartum on the day you leave the hospital to assist with uterine contractions and continue wearing it for 4 months, which is the prime time when your uterus typically goes back to its normal size.
So the optimal window of time is 48 hours to 4 months postpartum.
Can You Wear The Postpartum Belly Wrap After A C-Section?
It is recommended to wear a postpartum after a C-Section; however, you need to speak directly to your doctor regarding this topic and ask the doctor whether or not they recommend a postpartum belly wrap for you and your specific situation.
Every patient, every woman is different. Your medical history is different from everyone else’s. So be sure to ask your doctor if you are allowed, and see what product they recommend for you to wear after a C-section.
Can You Wear A Postpartum Belly Wrap If You Have Diastasis Recti?
Yes, I do recommend you wear a postpartum early on in your postpartum recovery if you have Diastasis Recti.
It will not heal your Diastasis Recti, but it can help align your abdominal muscles and, therefore, can help you use your muscles properly. When your muscles are aligned, it makes for an easier healing process, and the gap will continue to shrink in size.
The ultimate way to heal Diastasis Recti is with proper exercise. As a physical therapist, I highly recommend these 11 Diastasis Recti exercises to correct the abdominal separation after pregnancy.
Can You Wear The Postpartum Belly Wrap after having Gastric Bypass Surgery?
It is not recommended to wear a postpartum after Gastric Bypass surgery or any weight loss surgery for that matter.
Only your surgeon can help answer those questions about specific products that are allowed to be used after weight loss procedures.
Is It Hard To Sit While Wearing A Postpartum Belly Wrap?
Some products are difficult to sit in while other products are very comfortable to sit in.
A product such as the 3-in-1 postpartum belly wrap can be quite uncomfortable to wear while sitting due to its “bulkiness”.
I wore it for many months during multiple postpartum recoveries. I wore it quite often for breastfeeding while in a sitting position. The postpartum belly wrap still allowed me to get into a sitting position; however, the wrap would push up below my breast bone, and it would ride up along my waist. I would adjust it once I was standing.
The Belly Bandit, however, was very comfortable to wear while sitting and did not feel bulky at all. It was smooth and lightweight. This wrap forms to your body much more effectively.
Do You Wear A Postpartum Belly Wrap On Your Skin Directly?
No, it is not recommended to wear the Postpartum directly on your skin. It can cause irritations, rashes and it definitely increases sweating. When the moisture from your sweat is trapped and against your skin, there is a likelihood of increased problems.
Do You Wear A Postpartum Belly Wrap When You Exercise?
It can hinder your ability to exercise and limit your normal body movements that take place during exercise. Plus, the increased likelihood of sweating can cause irritation to your skin if you were to wear it during exercise.
I do, however, recommend wearing it after you exercise and your skin is clean.
Do You Sleep In Your Postpartum Belly Wrap?
No, do not sleep in your postpartum belly wrap. You want to have it off and let your body rest during night time.
Let your body be in its natural state and allow air to come into contact with your stomach at night time. You should not be wearing it 24/7. This leads to my next question.
How Many Hours A Day Should You Wear The Postpartum Belly Wrap?
I recommend wearing it up to 12 hours a day and no longer than that. First start with 30 minutes to 1 hour the first day and slowly progress by 1-2 hours each day following that. The maximum amount of time you want to wear it is 12 hours.
You can wear it 12 hours in a row in one day or you can break it up into 2 6 hour segments of wear time a day. It doesn’t matter how you get the 12 hours in, it’s just important you wear it up to 12 hours a day at max.
You can learn more about Postpartum Wear Time HERE and get a postpartum Wear Time Schedule + Printable Calendar.
Which Products Work The Best For Postpartum Belly Wraps?
Work the best at helping the stomach to decrease in size after having a baby. My all-time favorite is the Belly Bandit. It’s seamless and comfortable, easy to wear and looks great under clothing. You can learn more about this product in my review of the Belly Bandit.
My second favorite choice is the 3-in-1 Postpartum Belly Wrap by Chong Erfei, which can be purchased through Amazon. This is an affordable option that works very well; however, this product is very bulky. Get more details, prices and reviews of my
*It is important to always consult your doctor before beginning any exercise program and get medical clearance. Always warm up thoroughly and stretch after all workouts. LiveCoreStrong.com and Jena Bradley will be not be responsible or liable for any injury sustained while exercising at home, gym or elsewhere. Perform exercises at your own risk.
