STM's- which brand of belly binder?

Jenly17 · January 2016

Spinning off of the hospital bag thread- I'm wondering if you purchased a belly binder, which brand did you use? Did you like it or not so much?

I used the belly bandit after L&D and hated it. It was itchy and it was super visible underneath any nursing tank tops that I wore.

I'm thinking about going a different route this time. What do you like or what are you planning to buy?

TXmamatobe · January 2016

I liked the Bellefit last time but it's pricey. I found it to be comfortable and effective but it is a panty and girdle in one. My doctor actually recommended it and had used it herself.

ETA: they might have different styles now

TunieBee · January 2016

Bellefit!!! And use their size guide!

Jenly17 · January 2016

TXmamatobe said:
I liked the Bellefit last time but it's pricey. I found it to be comfortable and effective but it is a panty and girdle in one. My doctor actually recommended it and had used it herself.

ETA: they might have different styles now

Thanks! How long did you wear it postpartum?

TXmamatobe · January 2016

Jenly17 said:

TXmamatobe said:
I liked the Bellefit last time but it's pricey. I found it to be comfortable and effective but it is a panty and girdle in one. My doctor actually recommended it and had used it herself.

ETA: they might have different styles now
Thanks! How long did you wear it postpartum?

I can't remember for sure but I would say I wore it almost every day for about 5-6 weeks. My doctor mentioned she wore hers for 8 weeks.

TunieBee · January 2016

I wore my Bellefit corset for about 6 weeks. I had a C-section and it was indispensable! Even if I hadn't had a c-section I would have LOVED it. It was so slimming and made me much more confident post-partum. With the C-section, I was miserable without it, it felt so supportive. I even slept with it on sometimes. I put it on the night of my surgery. It didn't seem like it would fit at first, but with my husband's help, we got it on and I felt immediately better. Definitely follow their size guide and don't try to get one that's too small. They have 20% off right now with the code GET20. Get one, you won't regret it. I was worries the front closure would be visible through clothes, but it was not an issue and I preferred it to the side-closures (I had both types). I also wouldn't recommend the pull-up style.

Jenly17 · January 2016

TunieBee said:
I wore my Bellefit corset for about 6 weeks. I had a C-section and it was indispensable! Even if I hadn't had a c-section I would have LOVED it. It was so slimming and made me much more confident post-partum. With the C-section, I was miserable without it, it felt so supportive. I even slept with it on sometimes. I put it on the night of my surgery. It didn't seem like it would fit at first, but with my husband's help, we got it on and I felt immediately better. Definitely follow their size guide and don't try to get one that's too small. They have 20% off right now with the code GET20. Get one, you won't regret it. I was worries the front closure would be visible through clothes, but it was not an issue and I preferred it to the side-closures (I had both types). I also wouldn't recommend the pull-up style.

@TunieBee and @texasmama2be did you order according to the size you are now? Also since it's corset/undies combo, was it annoying to get it up and Down when you had to go to the bathroom?

TunieBee · January 2016

It's not annoying because there are closures for the underwear part. When I was immediately post partum, I just left those clips open a lot of the time, or you could clip one or two instead of all of them. I thought it would be annoying too, but it wasn't an issue at all. I ordered mine near the end of my pregnancy, so I ordered according to the size I was at that point, you could probably approximate it pretty well. I am 5'2", 117 pounds pre-preg and gained 35 pounds with my pregnancy. I could squeeze into an XS, but a small was better.

Jenly17 · January 2016

Thanks! @TunieBee

kbrands7 · January 2016

Thank you for starting this thread! I'm wondering about this too. I have a belly bandit that I can use at home, but since it's obvious under clothes, it doesn't work to wear out. I have thought about the c-panty in case I end up with a rcs, or maybe the bellefit.
ETA: Much later, like around 6 months post-partum, I used the Squeem "Perfect Waist" compression corset. It was great and didn't show up under most clothes, but it would have been awful for a c-section recovery had I used it too early. I'll probably use it again a few months in once things are healed/feel adjusted so that nothing is chaffing.

TXmamatobe · January 2016

@Jenly17 they have a pretty cool size quiz on their site that helped me a ton and they even have recommendations for body type. According to the quiz, I ordered a medium and it was perfect for me but I am more of an hourglass shape. I also recommend the front closure.

Edit: I meant front closure not front zipper.

TXmamatobe · January 2016

Also, on the topic of shape wear, I highly recommend the Blanqi body styler maternity support tank. I wear one almost every day and I can really feel the extra support under the belly. It also seems to take some pressure off my back which is much appreciated right now. It can also act as a belly band to hold up non-maternity pants and comes in various lengths depending on how you want to use it.

Bluejay3030 · January 2016

Ok, I'll be honest--these things look ungodly uncomfortable. Are they as restricting as they look? I didn't use anything with DD but am curious this time around. Assuming vaginal birth and not c-section, is the purpose mainly just aesthetic? I know they claim to help realign everything, I just wonder if in reality they're effective in the long term or if your body is just going to get there on it's own anyway.

Or do people mainly only use them for support after a c-section? The reason I ask is because it looks like they're marketed to everyone.

Seems like those of you who have used them have really liked them, so I'm really curious!

LadySamLady · January 2016

@TXmamatobe @TunieBee I'm checking out the bellefit website and they have a "corset" and a "dual closure girdle" - which kind did you use?

TXmamatobe · January 2016

Bluejay3030 said:
Ok, I'll be honest--these things look ungodly uncomfortable. Are they as restricting as they look? I didn't use anything with DD but am curious this time around. Assuming vaginal birth and not c-section, is the purpose mainly just aesthetic? I know they claim to help realign everything, I just wonder if in reality they're effective in the long term or if your body is just going to get there on it's own anyway.

Or do people mainly only use them for support after a c-section? The reason I ask is because it looks like they're marketed to everyone.

Seems like those of you who have used them have really liked them, so I'm really curious!

I did not have a CS and loved mine. I truly felt like it helped support my core in the early weeks where everything felt so weak and out of place. I definitely noticed it when it was on but I never felt overly restricted or uncomfortable. The key is sizing - don't get a smaller size and try to cram yourself in. It should be tight but not painful. It also gave me some confidence in public, it made me feel like I looked pretty great and I didn't have to tailor my wardrobe around a postpartum belly.

TXmamatobe · January 2016

LadySamLady said:
@TXmamatobe @TunieBee I'm checking out the bellefit website and they have a "corset" and a "dual closure girdle" - which kind did you use?

I had the corset.

Jenly17 · January 2016

@kbrands7 you're welcome! I was lax about using the bandit last time around. I want to really try to be diligent this time.

@TXmamatobe thanks so much for the info. Super helpful!

kbrands7 · January 2016

Thanks @TXmamatobe and @TunieBee! Just used the coupon to get a bellefit corset. They have a sale on right now too

yogahh · January 2016

I didn't even know this was a thing. I am intrigued.

Bluejay3030 · January 2016

Thanks for the input @TXmamatobe! I am definitely intrigued.

kbrands7 · January 2016

@bluejay3030 besides it helping with ab support after c-sections, I used one later because I realized after I had lost quite a bit of weight that my abs had separated during pregnancy/surgery. It brought them back together again.

Jenly17 · January 2016

I totally just ordered the Bellefit corset! Just another reason why this community rocks

thanks ladies!

TunieBee · January 2016

I used the dual closure. I ordered the simple corset this time since I lost the my old one is a move. The exta money for the dual closure didn't seem worth it. I found it offered excellent support afer a c-section but I think it would be great for a vaginal delivery as well. Helps support core muscles, especially with all the weird body mechanics carrying around a newborn. Plus it has the added benefit of being slimming. Research actually does show abdominal binders are helpful in healing diastisis.

ETA: They do totally look like torture devices but they are not! I hated being without mine after delivery.

Jenly17 · January 2016

Another question for @TunieBee and @TXmamatobe - did you start wearing it right after delivery, as in at the hospital? Just trying to figure out how the bulky pads and this go together? Also- tmi, but the nurse checked me each and every time for hemorrhoids.. I guess after writing it all out it sounds like maybe I'll just plan on wearing it when I'm home.

TunieBee · January 2016

My husband helped me put it on the night of delivery.

wsgjmw1 · January 2016

What benefits did you momma's see from using this product? As a FTM, I am just curious.

TXmamatobe · January 2016

Jenly17 said:
Another question for @TunieBee and @TXmamatobe - did you start wearing it right after delivery, as in at the hospital? Just trying to figure out how the bulky pads and this go together? Also- tmi, but the nurse checked me each and every time for hemorrhoids.. I guess after writing it all out it sounds like maybe I'll just plan on wearing it when I'm home.

I didn't wear mine until I came home but as for the pads, I was able to leave the crotch part (??) undone for a few days until the extra pressure didn't bother me. After that, I was still able to wear the pads with it closed.

TunieBee · January 2016

Also, about the crotch part, if you leave it undone (for convenience or pads or whatever), you can tuck it in so it's not dangling down (dangling crotch part, haha).

vinerie · January 2016

yogahh said:

I didn't even know this was a thing. I am intrigued.

ditto. It sounds like it helps both with comfort/support and aesthetics. Is that right?

Jenly17 · January 2016

@vinerie yep. It is also especially helpful if your abs separate during your pregnancy or a cs.

TunieBee · January 2016

core support, less back pain, posture support, helps heal diastasis, slimming, as a brace post-surgery if you have to have a C-section

eta: also helps protect the incision site if you have a c-section and holds on dressings, etc.

Bluejay3030 · January 2016

Could I wear this thing (mainly thinking of the bellefit corset) under a thin dress, or is it too bulky? I'm a matron of honor in my sister's wedding sometime between probably 4-6 weeks pp. I've been apprehensive about how to choose a dress size and how weird it will look with a pp belly, but this seems like it might be a dual purpose solution.

TXmamatobe · January 2016

Bluejay3030 said:
Could I wear this thing (mainly thinking of the bellefit corset) under a thin dress, or is it too bulky? I'm a matron of honor in my sister's wedding sometime between probably 4-6 weeks pp. I've been apprehensive about how to choose a dress size and how weird it will look with a pp belly, but this seems like it might be a dual purpose solution.

I'm not sure. It's not bulky really at all but depending on the fabric and how the dress fits, you might be able to see the seems, panty lines and probably the corset hooks. If the fabric has any sheen at all, it might show the lines too much. There are some other postpartum shapewear options out there that are specifically for this purpose (slimming under clothes). Check out Blanqi and Leonisa.

Bluejay3030 · January 2016

TXmamatobe said:

Bluejay3030 said:
Could I wear this thing (mainly thinking of the bellefit corset) under a thin dress, or is it too bulky? I'm a matron of honor in my sister's wedding sometime between probably 4-6 weeks pp. I've been apprehensive about how to choose a dress size and how weird it will look with a pp belly, but this seems like it might be a dual purpose solution.
I'm not sure. It's not bulky really at all but depending on the fabric and how the dress fits, you might be able to see the seems, panty lines and probably the corset hooks. If the fabric has any sheen at all, it might show the lines too much. There are some other postpartum shapewear options out there that are specifically for this purpose (slimming under clothes). Check out Blanqi and Leonisa.

Thanks again, that's very helpful to know! Sorry to thread-jack, ladies.

Kurrant · January 2016

This was quite helpful! I've been seeing some pretty bulky things recently that look like straight jackets! They look so uncomfortable. I'm due in the fall (in NZ) so I was thinking "glad I can wear bulky sweaters to hide this massive thing." I'm very glad there are some better options! Now to see if they ship here

araecasey · January 2016

TunieBee said:
I wore my Bellefit corset for about 6 weeks. I had a C-section and it was indispensable! Even if I hadn't had a c-section I would have LOVED it. It was so slimming and made me much more confident post-partum. With the C-section, I was miserable without it, it felt so supportive. I even slept with it on sometimes. I put it on the night of my surgery. It didn't seem like it would fit at first, but with my husband's help, we got it on and I felt immediately better. Definitely follow their size guide and don't try to get one that's too small. They have 20% off right now with the code GET20. Get one, you won't regret it. I was worries the front closure would be visible through clothes, but it was not an issue and I preferred it to the side-closures (I had both types). I also wouldn't recommend the pull-up style.

Thank you so much for the info, just used that code to get myself a Bellefit!

doozer1345 · January 2016

kbrands7 said:

Thank you for starting this thread! I'm wondering about this too. I have a belly bandit that I can use at home, but since it's obvious under clothes, it doesn't work to wear out. I have thought about the c-panty in case I end up with a rcs, or maybe the bellefit.
ETA: Much later, like around 6 months post-partum, I used the Squeem "Perfect Waist" compression corset. It was great and didn't show up under most clothes, but it would have been awful for a c-section recovery had I used it too early. I'll probably use it again a few months in once things are healed/feel adjusted so that nothing is chaffing.

I have the Squeem as well!! I couldn't breathe in mine though. It says to wear it for 10 min increments and go up from there... I just didn't have the patience for it. I may do it this time though. Do you have any tips with it?

kbrands7 · January 2016

@doozer1345 mine felt that way at first too-- I hiked it up a bit so that the top wasn't falling right at my diaphragm and that helped a lot. I also wore it for only and hour or two the first few days, then extended it from there. My biggest complaint is that it's not too comfortable to sit in for long periods of time because the boning stuck into the top of my thighs when I sat. That may just be a short-torso problem though. It's pretty warm too.

ayeshaohara · January 2016

So disappointed...went to order myself a bellefit...$50 shipping to Canada!!!!! Needless to say I won't be purchasing one now...with the exchange rate it'll cost me close to $200!

TunieBee · January 2016

ayeshaohara said:
So disappointed...went to order myself a bellefit...$50 shipping to Canada!!!!! Needless to say I won't be purchasing one now...with the exchange rate it'll cost me close to $200!

Do you have Amazon? You can purchase one there!

ayeshaohara · January 2016

@TunieBee thanks for the tip. I will have a look there instead!!

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