How to Wear a Belly Bandit

Co-authored by Jami Yaeger

Last Updated: December 29, 2022 References

For many new mothers wearing a Belly Bandit can be a good way to help strengthen the mid-section after giving birth. The wrap provides compression and support for your abdominal muscles, which might be tender or weak after giving birth.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Jami Yaeger
Parenting Specialist
Expert Interview. 29 September 2020.} Wrapping the belly after giving birth is an old tradition used by women around the world and the key to successful use is compression. Learn about the benefits of wearing a Belly Bandit and determine if it is right for you!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using a Belly Bandit

1
Apply the Belly Bandit to your midsection. Take the band and wrap it around your midsection until it fits snug. Adjust and tighten the band until it feels tight yet comfortable. The band is made from Velcro so it should be easy to adjust it to your liking.
- Be sure that you can breathe comfortably while wearing the Belly Bandit. If you are experiencing discomfort, loosen the band until it is comfy for you.
- Wearing the wrap too tight can actually slow healing and lead to complications.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Jami Yaeger
  Parenting Specialist
  Expert Interview. 29 September 2020.}
- Avoid wearing the band loosely. Wearing a loose band won’t provide any benefits to your postpartum body.
2
Put the Belly Bandit on under or over your clothes, depending on your preference. Wearing it over your clothes might not give you the same level of direct support as having the band pressed up against your skin, however, after wearing the band for a while you might find that sporting it outside of your clothes works best for you.
- If you are recuperating from a C-section you might find that applying the band directly to your skin helps support your incision.
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3
Wear the Belly Bandit during the day, at night, or both. You can begin wearing your Belly Bandit right after giving birth.^{[3]
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Research source} The Belly Bandit can be worn both day and night, however, you might find that you enjoy wearing it during the day and not while sleeping or vice versa. The choice is up to you!
- Always be sure to remove the Belly Bandit before showering or swimming.
- Make sure to get the okay from your doctor before you start wearing a wrap.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Jami Yaeger
  Parenting Specialist
  Expert Interview. 29 September 2020.}
- Start out by wearing the wrap for a couple of hours at a time, then work up to longer periods as you feel comfortable.^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Jami Yaeger
  Parenting Specialist
  Expert Interview. 29 September 2020.}
4
Stop wearing the Belly Bandit when you start to feel comfortable without it. It is best to wear the Belly Bandit while your body is recuperating from birth, however, you won’t need to wear it forever. After about 6 to 8 weeks your abdomen, lower back, and hips should feel secure enough to go without the Belly Bandit.^{[6]
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Research source} Once you begin to feel more comfortable without the Belly Bandit you can stop wearing it.
- Each person will have a different experience with the Belly Bandit. Some might wear their band for a longer duration than others. Make sure you do what feels comfortable for you.
- If you feel uncomfortable in the belly wrap at any point, take it off. You can try again later, or you might need to purchase a different size.^{[7]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Jami Yaeger
  Parenting Specialist
  Expert Interview. 29 September 2020.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Benefiting From a Belly Bandit

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Wear a Belly Bandit to help your body heal faster. The Belly Bandit compresses the abdomen, causing the uterus to return to its pre-baby size. This has the ability to rid the body of swelling and bloating after delivery and restore muscle memory in your abdomen.^{[8]
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Research source}
2
Use a Belly Bandit to provide support while breastfeeding. The Belly Bandit gives support to the upper body when breastfeeding. This is important to avoid stiffness caused by breastfeeding positions. Ensuring that your core and back are compressed with the Belly Bandit can make breastfeeding less painful for some mothers.^{[9]
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Research source}
3
Offer relief to the stomach after a Cesarean section by wearing a Belly Bandit. Internal stitches from a C-section can be painful and uncomfortable so it is important to support the mid-section. By using a Belly Bandit you can help ease some of the pain often experienced after a C-section and foster healing.^{[10]
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Research source}
4
Reduce the appearance of stretch marks with a Belly Bandit. Most women acquire stretch marks on the stomach while pregnant.^{[11]
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Research source} These undesirable marks can leave scars that are not easily ridden of. The Belly Bandit has the potential to minimize stretch marks by helping to compress the stomach back to its original size.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Purchasing a Belly Bandit

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Shop for a Belly Bandit during your pregnancy. Do your research before purchasing your Belly Bandit. Though you won’t be able to try the band on while pregnant you should begin to explore your options. Belly Bandits can be purchased at baby supply stores, maternity shops and online.
- Don't wear the Belly Bandit while pregnant as the compression on your pregnant belly can cause problems with circulation and blood pressure.^{[12]
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  Research source}
- If you want to wear a Belly Bandit while pregnant they make ones specifically for pregnant women. The band sits around the hips and cradles the lower belly, helping to relieve stress on the hips and lower back.
- If you purchase a Belly Bandit online make sure that the retailer has a return policy in case you find that your binder does not fit correctly.
2
Avoid purchasing a cheap belly binder. There are plenty of different kinds of belly binders within all price ranges, however, make sure you don’t skimp out when purchasing yours. Choosing a cheap option can cause discomfort and might appear more noticeable as it will stick out under your clothes.
- When wearing the Belly Bandit it should appear sleek and unnoticeable beneath your clothes. If you find that this is not the case, you may need to try a different size or a different belly binder brand.
- Choose a belly binder made from elastic material. Elastic binders are durable yet they stretch and contour to your body. Don’t risk your binder stretching out or falling apart after just a short time of use because of weak material.Durable binders might be a little more expensive but they’ll be worth the investment.
3
Select a Belly Bandit that fits comfortably. Always put your comfort first when purchasing a Belly Bandit. The Belly Bandit should fit perfectly to your form and offer adequate support to the stomach and back. Be sure to try on different sizes and wear each for a short amount of time to determine that the Belly Bandit you purchase is comfy for you.
- Some websites allow you to enter your hip and waist measurements to ensure you get the right fit.

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Question

What are the benefits of wearing a belly wrap?

Jami Yaeger
Parenting Specialist
Jami Yaeger is a Parenting Specialist, Doula, and the Owner of AustinBorn, an online community offering comprehensive and modern education to growing families. With 10 years of experience, Jami specializes in whole family support for pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting. Jami earned her BA in Theatre Performance from San Diego State University and earned her Certification as a Lactation Education Counselor from the University of California, San Diego. She is a Certified Infant and Child CPR Instructor, Birth and Postpartum Doula, and Childbirth Educator.

Jami Yaeger

Parenting Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

A belly wrap provides compression and support for your abdominal muscles, which may be tender or stretched from pregnancy and giving birth. They can also be used to help alleviate pain in the back, pelvis, joints, and around a Cesarean incision.