Really frustrated with Belly Bands... advice?

HotChocolate79

So a couple weeks ago I bought the cheapie but new belly bands off Ebay.  I wore one for a day and seriously thought I was going to die.... the band felt really long, and while it fit in the hips the part that went over above my waist was super loose and bunchy.  Additionally you could totally see through the fabric that that my pants were undone - I did wear a longer sweater over it but the idea itself made me really uncomfortable.

I attributed this to the fact that the item was poorly consturcted, so I decided to shell out for the real Ingrid and Isabella one.  It arrived yesterday.  Much better length, no bunching above my waist, but the hem rolls right up and it looks like I have a cami under that's rolling instead of laying flat.  Not so attractive.  I got my size but I am sort of the cusp of two sizes, so maybe sizing up would help - but then wil it be ginormous and bunchy above the waist again?

Has anyone had these issues?  What would you recommend? I am sick and tired of returning things but so many people rave about these and it's really sad that I can't make them work.  Should I order the larger size or forget it at this point? FWIW, I am 10 weeks.  

 

 

ACC0512

This is part of why I just didn't even bother with it this pregnancy.  I just really didn't like it.  It never looked right and now that I'm constantly up and down with my daughter...it's even more of a pain because I would have to fix it all the time.

ASmallWonder

Try this.  Pull the band on first, inside out.  Pull up your pants and fold the top half of the band over the waistband of your unbuttoned pants.  That should help with the baggy/rolling problem.

balibaby

Yup, I agree with PP. Those things in all variations are annoying, especially if you are working with kids, or getting up and down off the floor a lot. I just defer to my "fat" jeans/pants. I have a scarily large assortment of pant sizes after 2 pregnancies..I hate returning things too, leave it lingering forever, but I say just do it!

katcarls

It sounds like picking the smaller of the two sizes is probably causing the rolling.  You could try ordering the bigger size.  I'm sure you'll still be able to use it with your regular jeans for a while.  You might also end up using it to help hold up mat pants later and then regular pants again after you deliver. 

Have you tried putting the band on before your pants and then folding the top half down over?  That worked better for me with my regular jeans than just putting the whole thing over the top.

CoastieWife08

Have you tried tucking into your pants and then folding the band down on itself, instead of wearing it how the instructions say?  I was never able to wear it like they tell you to on the packaging.  

cchill01

I hated them with my first and I won't bother with #2.  They were constantly rolling down or sliding up, depending on where I put them.  And after a long day of sitting at my desk, they had permanent creases in them, which defeats the smooth fit.

By 14 weeks or so, I actually found that they made my back hurt.

Fortunately, over the course of my yo-yo dieting, I have pants of many sizes and shapes.  So I have about 3 pairs of "fat pants" in my current size and then 3 pairs in the size above it.  Those will have to do until I can sport the maternity pants.

erincon8

I hated the belly band last time and only bothered with it a handful of times.  I won't even attempt to try it out this time. 

appylovee

have you tried putting the band on before your pants and keep the bottom half under your pants then fold it over? thats what I have to do.

Babybear70

elmoali:

Try this.  Pull the band on first, inside out.  Pull up your pants and fold the top half of the band over the waistband of your unbuttoned pants.  That should help with the baggy/rolling problem.

This exactly!!! YOU will be able to notice the little bumps from where your pants buttons are, but most people aren't that perceptive so they won't think twice about it. I have also found that if I pull my underware on over the band as well it doesn't roll up when I try ant pull my pants on. The underware hold it down, then after I roll the band over the top of my jeans it just looks like I have a tight fitting undershirt on. Good luck!

sassafras007

HATE those!

JG362009

I had two belly bands for my first pregnancy and HATED them.  I hated constantly having to adjust them everytime I went to the bathroom (which, when you're pregnant, can be a lot) and that they always, always looked slopply and like they weren't placed right.  I also just couldn't get over the fact that my pants were unbuttoned.  I went into maternity pants a bit early just so I didn't have to deal with the belly band.  Their popularity bewilders me because I think they're awful.  My suggestion is to buy pants one size up during the awkward 1st tri/early 2nd tri stage and then just use maternity pants.  I was so much happier when I did. 

bellelamb

I'm glad I'm not the only one! They seem so awful to me never used one with either of my other pregnancy's and I'm not going to now. I agree with the you need fat pants for now and also they are nice to have the few months after you give birth. That being said I am also a big fan of old navy skirts that are elastic waists you can wear them for a long time under your belly and should be great now and after lo is born.

velharris

i never had a belly band with my first, and now im afraid to admit im not even exactly sure what they are  for, lol...for support? for unbuttoned pants, bc something doesnt fit right? fill me in please!

mars724

I bought the Motherhood Maternity brand and it has been working great.

mars724

it's for when your pants fit but aren't comfortable when buttoned. So, leave them unbottoned and use the belly band over top to keep your pants up. Also, you can use it to just kinda smooth out your tummy, extra support, or if you have loose maternity clothes.

christinakprice

ACC0512:

This is part of why I just didn't even bother with it this pregnancy.  I just really didn't like it.  It never looked right and now that I'm constantly up and down with my daughter...it's even more of a pain because I would have to fix it all the time.

This

 

oddvision

Babybear70:

elmoali:

Try this.  Pull the band on first, inside out.  Pull up your pants and fold the top half of the band over the waistband of your unbuttoned pants.  That should help with the baggy/rolling problem.

This exactly!!! YOU will be able to notice the little bumps from where your pants buttons are, but most people aren't that perceptive so they won't think twice about it. I have also found that if I pull my underware on over the band as well it doesn't roll up when I try ant pull my pants on. The underware hold it down, then after I roll the band over the top of my jeans it just looks like I have a tight fitting undershirt on. Good luck!

 

This is what finally worked for me! I've found that using a safety pin to hold the top of my dress slacks slightly together (so it's not gaping open) makes it work MUCH better, and with the band inside the pants and folded over the top of the waistband, it also helps smooth over the bulge from the safety pin. I also use the elastic band trick on jeans and smooth it over with the belly band. It's not perfect, so I'm having to wear longer/ baggier tops, but at least I don't have to buy new pants yet!

HotChocolate79

Thanks, ladies... I'll try it under the pants just for the heck of it but seems like this is something that's just not going to work very well for me.  As a result I've been in demi panel maternity pants from Gap for just about a week now.....Maybe I just grew too quickly (judging from the pics I see here, today I look similar to what the 16 week ladies look like)....

bornmommy

I"m not that far along but have had some considerable bloating and haven't been able to button my pants for 2 weeks.  I have heard mixed reviews about the bands so I don't feel like shelling out the cash for them.  Instead, I wear a tight cami under my clothes and it does the trick!  It's pretty much the same thing as a belly band from what I've seen and it gives me an extra layer...I've been so cold!