Postpartum belly wraps...a few Q's.

salt78

Morning, all. I was just talking to a coworker about these this morning and wanted to check with people who might have more experience than myself (I'm a FTM).

Are postpartum belly wraps (ie: Belly Bandit, The Cinch, other kinds, etc.) worth it or are they are total crock?

Is anyone here planning on trying one?

Any 2+ time moms try them with success or failure?

Thanks in advance! 

Sweetest116

I've heard mixed reviews - some swear by them, some didn't try them, others claim they did nothing. 

Peronally, I'd rather give it a try instead of looking back thinking "darn, I should have just tried it then maybe I wouldn't have crapola abs."  I bought the belly bandit - they went on sale buy one, get one 50% off at target online.  I heard you're to buy one in a larger size for immediately after birth and a smaller one for down the road.

Take it with a grain of salt... FTM here, as you know.

sbost0118

I honestly have no idea what those are, but I tend to space my babies out by 3-4 years so there's always something new when I get pregnant.  I have used tummy hiders (like Spanx) during my post-partum times when I need to where a dress or something and my after-baby belly was too obvious. 

It goes away when it goes away - everyone is different.  Some women still look pregnant for a few weeks after having their baby and some are in their pre-baby clothes before they leave the hospital.

fyrefairie

i asked my OB what she thought...she had 2 babies within 2 years and she looks fabulous so I figured she might know a few things medically and personally about this....she thinks they're  a crock and didn't use them...she has a 4 month old and a flat tummy....which she attriubtes to BFing and exercise...given then exorbitant price of them and her opinion I'm probably gonna pass

JENandJEH

A good friend of mine is a postpatrum nurse and I asked her if the hospital she works at gives them to C-section moms because I had heard some ladies on the C-section board mention they were given a binder following their section.  She said that she doesn't know that they work but that she would especially shy away from one after a C-section at least for the first couple of weeks.  She mentioned that with a binder up against your incision, it would worry her about the area staying too moist and the possibility of infection since it wouldn't get"aired out" as much as if you're just wearing loose fitting pants. 

Sweetest116

... I have another tid bit.

I was told that you feel very empty after birth and it can trigger PPD.  A binder can help ease the empty feeling and in some cases avoid PPD.

Moneypenny424

I'm interested in this too and plan on getting one.  A lot of cultures have done this for ages, so that makes me feel better (not just a Hollywood fad or something).  I guess the idea is that it is like a compression bandage and holds the ab tissues together and helps areas that have moved/been pulled during pregnancy to go back where they are supposed to go and to help the tissues mend.

I'm definitely interested in hearing the responses to this!

xraychick07

They are a total waste of money. I bought one of the belly bandits and if you wear them as tight as you are supposed to they just cinch up in your middle and wind up the size of a regular belt when you sit down. It creates the nastiest muffin top you have EVER seen on top and on the bottom of it. You also have to constantly adjust and pull at it. I went for a pair of spanx instead. Don't waste the money, and if you do, keep the receipt!

kaelasierra

I bought a Belly Bandit. I figured it's worth a shot!

kerryholmes

lilnightmusic:

I ended up getting a BOGO on the belly bandit from target after talking to friends and OB about it.  While really there is nothing proven about it helping shrink things any faster, my OB said that having the support on the jelly belly makes a huge difference in terms of comfort and mentality.  

This exactly. I am only 1 day PP so I do not have a ton of experience with belly binding, but I am having a much more comfortable time this time around than with my first, both mentally and physically.  

mommadawn1012

I bought some post partum panties from Motherhood since they are high waisted (having a c-section) and they are like spanx as well in helping to "hide the excess". I have read a lot of good reviews on them so we will see how well they work. 

greenmtbride

I was too cheap to buy one of these things, but did wrap myself with an ace bandage for a week or two after my son's birth. I found the extra support really helpful.  You still have to work (ie. do ab exercises) to get your stomach back after birth, but I think the wrapping helps you remember to use your muscles to pull in your stomach and helps with your posture. 

EllasMommy2010

I didn't use one with my first and I shrunk back just fine. I wore my pregnancy belly band for additional support for a while, not sure if it helped at all though and I definitely did not wear it 24/7.

sanriobaby

IMO, if you're interested in getting some type of compression band, don't bother w/those "postpregnancy" ones advertised in pregnancy magazines. They are overpriced and not made to properly do what they claim. You are better off getting a medical grade compression belt/waist cincher instead, just like the ones used for those who've had abdominal surgury. These are a lot cheaper, some drs are willing to give you a script for one, and most times they are covered by your FSA plan. They are made to provide you w/the proper support needed to give your abs the chance to heal.

In Latin culture, post pregnancy binding is very common and most women swear by it b/c not only does it provide good back support, but many say it really helps to bring down the swelling and get your ab muscles back into place. Of course it always helps to exercise, bf, and watch what you eat too! Anything to move that along faster helps lol! But you should always consult w/your dr before using one, especially if you've had a c-section...

Several of my friends liked this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Gabrialla-Breathable-Elastic-Abdominal-Binder/dp/B000WFT3II/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1327092779&sr=8-3

Jessimurph

The hospital gave me a binder after my csection and i don't know what i would have done without it. If i didn't have it on it felt like my insides were falling out.

Sascha3

I am wearing a Belly Bandit right now as I type

The poster above who said hers rolled and cinched into a thin band may be talking about a regular belly band that goes over jeans to keep them buttoned, not the Belly Bandit.  I can't imagine this thing doing that.  It goes from under my boobs to my hips and is pretty stiff.

It keeps me feeling secure and gives support to my back and helps with that empty loose feeling.  I had to take it off during some times I had bad cramping, but mostly it feels good.  I bought a small and could barely get the velcro together on my 3rd day postpartum.  I am now 12 days postpartum and I can move it 5 inches further.  My stomach is almost the size it was pre-pregnancy.  I am pretty thin, but I naturally have a bit of a belly that always looks about 3 months pregnant, so that is how I look right now.  I gained 28 and have lost 18 so far.  I don't know if my stomach would look like this if I hadn't used the Belly Bandit, but it was worth the $70 to me just in case it did help.

I got the Bamboo one.  I wanted the new B.F.F. which has 2 velcro areas to custom fit a little more, but everywhere in Vegas was sold out last week because I forgot to buy it ahead of time.  You can see it under fitted clothes but I read if I move the velcro to the side it will be less noticeable.  The only complaint I have is that I am short waisted so it kind of hits this part in my upper butt area that causes a little sciatic discomfort in certain positions.