Knowing when to wear a postpartum belly wrap is a bit confusing. You might be wondering if it’s too late to wear a postpartum wrap or girdle. Continue reading to see if it’s too late for you to wear a belly wrap after having a baby.
Most new moms who discover postpartum belly wraps well into their postpartum recovery ask the question, “When is it too late to wear a postpartum belly wrap?”
“I wish someone would have told me about belly wraps earlier” is a common follow up statement.
This may be very familiar for you and also among a lot of other new moms who are just finding out about postpartum belly wraps. And it may be a little too late.
There is a window of time that is ideal for wearing a postpartum belly wrap, and some new moms find out that postpartum belly wraps exist when they are already several months into their postpartum recovery.
In this article we are going to answer the question of when is it too late to wear a postpartum belly wrap.
Is It Too Late To Wear A Postpartum Belly Wrap?
How long after birth can you wrap your stomach with a postpartum belly wrap, a postpartum girdle, belly binding or some other product?
These products all are in the same category and the timeframe is the same for each.
If you want to know in your situation if it’s too late to wear a postpartum belly wrap, I recommend going by these guidelines.
The ideal time to wear a postpartum belly wrap is between 2 days postpartum and 6 weeks postpartum. This is when the uterus contracts the fastest after childbirth.
However, it is also well known for new moms to wear it up to 4 months postpartum, which is what I recommend doing. You will continue to get the added benefit of compression all the way up until you are 4 months into postpartum recovery.
If you are 4 months and 1 week postpartum for example, you may want to consider whether or not the cost outweighs the benefit. If you are 5 months postpartum, I recommend saving your money and investing it into a good postpartum core workout program. You will get more bang for your buck.
Do Belly Wraps Work?
You may be wondering if postpartum belly wraps actually work, and to give you the quick answer, yes, they very much do. I’m a physical therapist, and I highly recommend wearing one after giving birth.
A postpartum belly wrap is something 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.
How Long Can You Wear A Belly Bandit For?
Belly Bandits are among the most popular belly wraps for postpartum moms. These quality products are highly recommended and are very durable. And not to mention the style and shape is top-of-the-line. Moms absolutely love them, and I’m one of them. To read a review of the Belly Bandit wrap click here.
If you are not sure how long you should wear your Belly Bandit wrap, I continue to recommend 2 days to 4 months postpartum. Some women love the feel of the Belly Bandit wrap and continue to wear it well into their 9th month postpartum especially when going out to help with the streamlined look of their belly under clothing.
That is completely ok to do. It acts more as shapewear rather than postpartum compression. While this is an acceptable way to use the wrap, I recommend using it sparingly in order to continue to strengthen your muscles naturally without the wrap hindering your progress.
What Is The Best Way To Get A Flat Belly Without A Postpartum Belly Wrap?
If you are out of the ideal window of time to wear a postpartum belly wrap, like I mentioned, focusing on a postpartum core program is the best route to take.
You will see faster results and improve your inner core muscles that will ultimately tighten your core even better than a belly wrap would.
The belly wrap does not strengthen your core muscles, only exercises can do that. If you are ultimately looking to flatten your belly postpartum, you need to focus on improving your transverse abdominis muscle of your core.
This muscle, when strengthened, helps to draw in your belly and help with the appearance of a flatter stomach.
How Do I Strengthen The Transverse Abdominis?
In order to strengthen your transverse abdominis muscle, you will need to start by lying on your back on a flat surface that is hard, preferably the floor. Avoid using your bed or another soft surface like the couch.
It’s important to keep your knees bent and relax your spine. In order to target your transverse abdominis you need to focus on drawing your belly button in towards your spine. Continue reading to further learn how to strengthen the transverse abdominis muscle.
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.
*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.
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I am 6 months postpartum. Can I start wearing a belly belt now or is it too late for me
This is past the recommended time to wear a postpartum belly wrap. The best thing to do at this point is postpartum core strengthening. Definitely check out my ab program and other ab resources on my site.
Will this help with a weak pelvic floor?
Lynnie, No, it won’t. It actually is not recommended for someone with a weak pelvic floor. It may put too much pressure on your pelvic floor muscles.
I will be 4 months postpartum on the 28th of this month, is it to late to wear a belly belt?
Jasmine, this is too late to wear a postpartum belly wrap. At this point I recommend ab workouts and core strengthening programs
I am 6 weeks postpartum on Thursday can I still benefit from this wrap
Hi Sharika, You most definitely can wear it now. It’s a good time to start.
Can I wear belly band at 2 months postpartum or it’s too late
Nizma, this is a great time to wear a belly wrap. Congratulations on your new baby!
Hi Sharika, Most definitely! I highly recommend wearing it now.
I am 1 month post. Is it too I te for me wear one?
Jessica, This is a great time to start wearing it. Congratulations by the way!
I will be 6 months postpartum, is it to late to wear a postpartum belt?
Yes, I do not recommend wearing one at 6 months postpartum because it is too late. I recommend focusing on postpartum ab exercises. Check out https://livecorestrong.com/restore-your-core/
Hi, I had lots of complications after second c-sec delivery. I was not able to use postpartum belt or do the exercises. It has been 7 years now. Can I wear the belt and do the exercises now? Will it help?
Hi Sara, the belt will not help you at this point since you are so far along postpartum but the good news is the exercises most definitely will. You can watch my free training at https://livecorestrong.com/class to get you started on your postpartum ab workout. It only takes 2 minutes to start. Let me know if you have any more questions.
I had a c section and am currently one week postpartum. What is your suggestion on timeline to start belly wraps? Keeping in mind my recovery post surgery.
Hi Vidya, I recommend as soon as your doctor gives you approval to start wearing your postpartum belly wrap. If you are having any complications with your healing, then definitely delay the start. I always recommend contacting your surgery for approval first. Congratulations on your new baby!
Hello. I am currently 7 weeks postpartum is it too late to start wearing a belly band? If not how many hours do I need to wear it? Do I need to wear it if I’m going to be mostly standing?
Hi Justine, Congratulations! This is the best time to start wearing a postpartum belly wrap. Here is an article that will help answer all your questions about wear time schedules: https://livecorestrong.com/how-long-should-you-wear-a-postpartum-belly-wrap/
Sorry I just saw the response. I am now 20 weeks postpartum. Can I still start wearing the wrap? And for how long? And when do I stop
Hi Justine, It’s past the recommended time, so at this point I highly recommend focusing on postpartum ab exercises. This is a great starting point: my video training. Feel free to watch it if that’s something you are interested in (https://livecorestrong.com/class)
I have really bad hip and lower back issues that don’t allow me to be able to lay on my back on the floor. What is another exercise I can use that doesn’t require me to lay on the floor.
Kara,
This is such a great question. I’m actually posting a new post tomorrow about standing ab exercises. Be sure to check it out on the blog soon!
Hey I am 3 months postpartum should I just focus on ab workouts instead of using a belly band?
Yaritza, At this point yes, ab workouts primarily! Congratulations on your new baby.
Hi dear I’m two months postpartum, I started wearing my belt days after my baby was born then I stopped soon after seeing the results but it wasn’t as like I was before I got pregnant, is it too late to wear the belt again so that my belly can get back to its original state?
Hi, Belly wraps are most effective in the first 4 months postpartum. You can definitely start wearing it again.
Hi dear I’m almost 3 month postpartum, my belly is still big as I have another baby inside , is that too late for me to wear a belly band ?
Mina,
Please do not wear a postpartum belly wrap while pregnant. Once you give birth to your new baby, you can start wearing a postpartum belly wrap if your doctor approves it.
Hi should the postpartum belt be worn for the whole day or can I remove it at night
Justena, Definitely remove it at night. I recommend no longer than 12 hours a day.