Postpartum belly wraps: risks, benefits, types & safety

What is postpartum belly binding?

Postpartum belly binding is the technique of firmly wrapping material around your abdomen to support the spine and organs during your recovery from childbirth. Historically, postpartum belly wraps were used to promote healing and the health of a mother’s body. 

Postpartum belly binding may be gaining traction today, but it’s believed that this tradition dates back to ancient times and has been practiced for centuries across cultures, including those in Africa, South America, Europe, and Asia. 

Traditional belly wraps, like the knotted bengkung bind from Malaysia or the sarashi wrap from Japan, were typically made from long strips of soft, breathable materials like cotton, silk, and muslin. Today, postpartum wraps, support belts, and shapewear are commonly made with flexible, elastic fabrics that are tight enough to compress and move comfortably in.

How can postpartum belly binding help with recovery after childbirth?

The evidence is still out on how effective postpartum belly wraps are in aiding recovery from childbirth, and more research is needed. However, women around the world have reported both mental and physical benefits of belly wraps in their postpartum recovery.  

When you’re pregnant, your body undergoes some incredible changes, such as retaining more water than usual [1] and increasing the amount of blood pumping through your veins [2], all while shifting and stretching to make room for your growing baby [3]. After giving birth your body begins its path to recovery — and in this transitional phase, your organs that may have shifted during pregnancy will naturally settle back into position. 

When used correctly, postpartum wraps and binders may help support organs as they move back into place and help keep muscles stable while the body heals. The evidence is limited in this area but some perceived benefits of postpartum belly wraps may include:

• Reduced back pain
• Helps reduce the pain of an incision
• Abdominal and postural support
• Improved mobility
• Increased confidence
• Feeling more comfortable 
• Lowered symptoms of distress 
• A sense of tradition or cultural connection
• Helps encourage the gap in the abdominal muscles to close [4].

Sometimes, the body needs additional support or medical intervention. For example, some doctors advise patients to use abdominal binders after major surgeries, including C-sections [5]. Abdominal binders and support bands can help brace the abdomen muscles after surgery, especially when sneezing, coughing, or getting in and out of bed. 

It’s important to remember that your well-being comes first. During your postpartum recovery, rest, recuperation, and time are often what your body needs most. So please go easy on yourself while you heal. If you ever have concerns about your postpartum recovery, it’s important to speak to a healthcare professional. Your doctor will help you make informed decisions about your health and personal journey.

Belly binding and diastasis recti

Abdominal separation, or diastasis recti, occurs when the stomach muscles separate during and after childbirth [6]. This partial or complete separation of the abdominal muscles is common after pregnancy with nearly half of all pregnant women experiencing the condition [7]. 

The body can usually heal from a small diastasis within four to eight weeks postpartum, especially when you give yourself ample time to rest. However, with cases of severe diastasis recti, the condition may last for up to a year or longer. In such cases, doctors often recommend physiotherapy as a first line of treatment [8]. 

While postpartum belly wraps and binders can provide support to abdominal muscles and may positively influence healing when combined with other physiotherapy, they are not a solution for diastasis recti [9]. Sometimes, severe cases require medical intervention such as surgery or the help of trained physiotherapists who specialize in postpartum recovery. If you’re ever in doubt, speak with your healthcare practitioner.

What are the risks and safety considerations when belly binding?

Postpartum belly binding may provide support and comfort during your recovery, but it’s important to use it safely to avoid any potential risks, downsides, or discomforts. Here are a few things to keep in mind: 

• Pressure on organs:  Wearing a binder for too long or too snugly could put unnecessary pressure on your internal organs, affecting digestion, breathing, and even how your pelvic floor muscles heal and function [10] [11].
  
  
• Overnight use: Consult your doctor for personalized advice on wearing your wrap while sleeping, as recommendations and protocols vary.
  
  
• Restricted circulation: Wearing a wrap too tightly could inhibit blood flow or lead to more swelling, which may cause discomfort or risk damage to blood vessels.
  
  
• Weakened muscles: Over-reliance on binders could potentially delay your abdominal muscles from regaining their natural strength.
  
  
• Skin irritation: Prolonged use of postpartum wraps, especially in warmer climates, may cause itchiness, chafing, or rashes.
  
  
• C-section separation: To prevent the risk of separation and potential infections, avoid placing the binder directly over your C-section incision. A non-adherent dressing between your incision and the binder can help. 

Always listen to your body, and follow the advice of your healthcare provider. If something doesn’t feel right — it’s okay to take a break. 

Belly binding after a C-section 

Abdominal wraps may be used after major surgeries, such as cesarean delivery [12]. If you are planning or have had a C-section, your doctor may recommend a wrap or binder to support your recovery [5]. 

During a C-section, a surgical incision is made in the abdomen, cutting through multiple layers of tissue and sometimes muscle. For some, the pain or even the worry about discomfort can cause patients to avoid too much movement, which may lead to a slower and more painful recovery.

Postpartum belly wraps can help limit movement of the abdominal muscles, reducing pain around the incision and improving mobility with less distress. The right amount of compression enhances blood circulation and decreases swelling, both of which promote the healing process. [13]. 

Belly binders vs waist trainers

Postpartum belly binding is not waist training. There is a difference between an abdominal binder or postpartum belly wrap and trending products like waist trainers — and it’s important to call out. 

Waist trainers are essentially a modern-day corset, designed to cinch the waist for a slimmer appearance [14]. They are a type of compressive garment, often with boning (the rigid skeleton that forms its frame), generally worn under clothing and around the midsection. 

Medical experts caution against using waist trainers during postpartum recovery due to their stiff, rigid structure, which offers less flexibility than a postpartum binder or wrap. Improper use could lead to discomfort, adverse side effects, and negatively affect your recovery. For example, if worn too tightly, they may make it difficult to breathe deeply [15].

Before investing in shapewear and waist trainers, we recommend consulting your doctor about the influence that compressing your core can have on your health, especially if you’ve recently given birth. 

Your postpartum recovery, your way

Belly binding and postpartum wraps may be helpful tools for some, but it’s essential to use them safely and be aware of their limitations. 

Just as no two pregnancies are alike, your path to healing is unique to you. Sometimes slipping into the forgiving fabric of a maternity moo-moo is equally as comforting as cocooning your belly in a wrap. The bottom line is this: You decide what's best for your body, and if that means choosing an unbound experience devoid of constricting fabrics as you heal, then more power to you! Just remember to take your doctor's advice into account to ensure you're supporting your recovery in a way that aligns with your unique medical needs.

Looking for more ways to support your postpartum recovery? Natural Cycles is ready to help care for you while you care for your newborn. With NC° Postpartum you can track how you’re feeling, monitor your cycles and return of fertility, and tap into educational resources so you can approach your postpartum recovery with confidence and support.