I'm thinking I might need to buy a belly band (BE Band...Bella Band...etc). I'm not quite ready for maternity pants and I'm trying to keep things a secret at work anyway, need to be discrete! So I thought a belly band might be able to get me through another couple weeks in the pants I already own. What are your thoughts on the belly bands? Anyone have them yet, or used them in the past? Do they work? Is it obvious you're wearing them? And any brand recommendations? Thanks in advance for any input!!
They're great! I got the tummy sleeve from Motherhood Maternity and they're PERFECT for use with dress pants. I don't think they perfectly smooth over thick jeans buttons, but at least they hold them up in place comfortably, and they basically just look like a layering tank under a regular top. Hope this helps!
The only disadvantage of them is that you can't really wear fitted shirts because even with the band you can sort of see that your pants are undone. Personally, even though the maternity pants are a bit big, I find them more comfortable and they smooth things out. I wear my Bella band mainly with higher waisted pants.
A lot of people love them, but they didn't work for me, I bought two of the bebands from target and every time I have tried to wear one it rolls up on me and I end up with this tight roll of elastic fabric around my tummy. I do/did have a small waist and larger butt/hips . . . maybe that was why . . . not sure. Also, I did buy the correct size, so that wasn't the issue.
I loved the BeBand at first. I hated that I had to kept fixing it, but it got the job done. Eventually it just got a little too tight to where I'm in maternity pants now, and I'm finding that to be a lot more comfortable.
Also....to make the band work best without ridng up as much, put it on, then your pants, then fold over the top of your pants. Works better with dress pants then jeans.
I've used with all my high waisted jeans and actually have one on now. I need to get maternity pants this weekend though as it doesn't work with any of the low rise jeans. And I can't even zipper my high waisted. I got it for pretty cheap on sale at Macy's its a motherhood maternity one.
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I got the tummy sleeve from motherhood and it is perfect for days when I am so bloated my pants are not gonna button comfortably. I am wearing it today and it just looks like a tank under my shirt. No one notices and it works great.
I love it, personally. I have two from Ingrid&Isabel and they work great. As others have said, you do have to adjust it sometimes (especially if you stand up after sitting for awhile), but its worth it to me to be able to stay in my normal pants for as long as possible. I tried on maternity pants and they made my butt look weird.
I bought the bella band, but honestly, I don't like it. The extra pressure on my stomach is uncomfortable and makes me feel even more nauseous. I'm hanging onto it though, hoping I can use it in the second trimester.
For now, I'm just doing the rubber band trick. But I've been wearing a lot of leggings and dresses, because I just can't stand any pressure on my stomach.
I have two bella bands from my 1st pregnancy. I loved them. I wore them for many weeks before having to wear maternity pants. And I even wore the bella band with my maternity pants to keep them from falling down, when they were too big on me. I really haven't started using them with this pregnancy, but I plan to do so. I got mine from Ingrid&Isabel.
I got a hand-me-down one from Pea in the Pod and its definitely a good quality one. I don't have any issues with it rolling up or moving around and it definitely helps "smooth things out" when my tummy is sticking out a little beyond my pants or I need to conceal unbuttoned pants. I don't wear it everyday but I would definitely recommend it for those days when you definitely need your pants undone!
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Re: Belly Band Question
Exactly what I was going to say. I haven't had to use on yet, but that's the advice that I've heard from others.
I bought the bella band, but honestly, I don't like it. The extra pressure on my stomach is uncomfortable and makes me feel even more nauseous. I'm hanging onto it though, hoping I can use it in the second trimester.
For now, I'm just doing the rubber band trick. But I've been wearing a lot of leggings and dresses, because I just can't stand any pressure on my stomach.
I got mine from Ingrid&Isabel.
This. I have one pair of pants that I can actually still button. Otherwise, I use this and it'll get me through until I need maternity pants.
BFP 9/22/10, mc confirmed 10/31/10
4 month break from TTC
BFP #2 3/17/11, CP confirmed 3/22/10
BFP #3 9/7/11 Stick, baby, stick!