Getting used to how different your belly looks after pregnancy is tough enough. Add to that the fact that some new moms also find that doing everyday tasks can put painful strain on their bodies. Because the muscles in your core have stretched to accommodate your growing baby during pregnancy, they become weakened, which can make basic movements after birth much more painful. Unfortunately, when you have a newborn, there isn’t much time for resting until you’re fully recovered. Enter postpartum belly binding and the postpartum belly wrap or belly band.
Whether known as a wrap, a band, a girdle or a corset, these postpartum helpers have been hailed far and wide for providing some much-needed core support to new moms after they have given birth. Dr. Sarah Ellis Duvall, founder of Core Exercise Solutions, physical therapist and mom of two, says she recommends postpartum wraps as a way to help new moms get through those first few weeks more easily.
“Belly wraps can offer you a little extra support right after birth and for the first couple of weeks, especially after a C-section,” Duvall says. “The wrap can help give you that extra bit of support. Some hospitals even give them out to new moms.”
What are the different types of postpartum belly wraps?
There are a few different types of postpartum wraps, and they can differ in how they are fastened and how the compression they provide is controlled. Before you start searching for the right one for you, take a look at our rundown of the different types and then check out our list of the postpartum wraps most loved by moms.
Belly wrap or band
This is the most commonly used and well-known type of wrap. It’s a wide elastic band that stretches to wrap around your abdomen and offers gentle compression. It uses a Velcro fastener, and you can adjust the tightness easily. Experts tend to recommend this type, as its entire purpose is to support your recovery rather than to shape your body.
Postpartum girdle
A postpartum girdle is similar, except it tends to have a higher grade of compression. They can be fastened either with a Velcro fastener or a hook-and-eye fastener. The problem with many postpartum girdles is that the compression is simply too strong and can cause problems like a prolapse if they are fastened too tightly around your body. When purchasing a postpartum girdle, pay extra attention to the sizing charts, and make sure you get one large enough to wear comfortably. Your body should feel supported, but wearing the girdle should never feel painful.
Postpartum corset
These usually fasten with a hook-and-eye closure. With a corset, you also have to be careful with what size you get, as they don’t tend to be as adjustable as a belly band. Most postpartum corsets focus on cinching your waist in, which isn’t recommended for recovery purposes, but there are a few that offer a way to adjust them properly so that they can still be used safely. Although some postpartum corsets are well-loved for their support and work well for many women, you want to stay away from anything that is overtly touted as being a “waist cincher” or a “body shaper” rather than as a postpartum support product.
Mom-approved postpartum wraps
1. Belly Bandit Original Belly Wrap
Probably the most well-known wrap, the Original Belly Bandit has been around for more than a decade and has accumulated a ton of loyal fans in that time. The Bandit gives you six inches of adjustability, so you can easily control how tightly it fits to your abdomen. It’s also covered by several major health insurance companies, which is a huge bonus.
“I actually got the Belly Bandit after my first child was born just to help keep my old maternity jeans up,” says Judy McDonald, a mom of three from Cheshire, Massachusetts. “I didn’t really know how supportive it was and wish I had used it earlier. After my second pregnancy, I started wearing it right after birth at the hospital and it made a huge difference for me. I would recommend it to every new mom!”
Where to buy: Original Belly Wrap ($50, Belly Bandit)
2. Mama Strut Postpartum Support Brace
Developed by a mom of three, the Mama Strut has just about everything you could ask for in a postpartum wrap. It offers support for your back and belly and is available in a wide range of sizes. The best part? It comes with a pair of shorts that can hold removable heat or ice packs.
“It looks complicated, so I probably wouldn’t have picked this one out myself, but my doula recommended it,” says Kelsey Dorgon, a new mom of one from Brooklyn, New York. “Maybe I’m a big baby, but I so appreciated the ice packs that you put in this. It helped so much with the aches and pains, and I needed it. I feel like I might be addicted to it!”
Where to buy: Postpartum Support Brace ($130, Mama Strut)
3. Isabel Maternity by Ingrid & Isabel Maternity Afterband
Many moms are fans of the Maternity Afterband because of its gentle bone-free design. Silicone straps help keep the band in place, solving that pesky slipping and bunching problem that some bands seem to have. Available for $25 at Target, it’s a good option for a wrap that will get the job done without breaking your budget.
“I love this band,” says Laura DeMario, a mom of one from San Diego, California. “I had several friends recommend it to me. I love it because I don’t feel like it’s squeezing the life out of me, but it’s still supportive. Price is great, too.”
Where to buy: Isabel Maternity by Ingrid & Isabel Maternity Afterband ($25, Target)
4. Bellefit Postpartum Corset
The Bellefit Corset is FDA-approved and features two rows of hook-and-eye closures, which help give you control over the compression. It was also specifically designed with C-section moms in mind. Since some Velcro belly bands might bother a C-section incision area, with the Bellefit, you can pull the corset on right over your body and adjust as needed. It also features a flap at the bottom, which allows you to go to the bathroom without removing the entire corset. As with any corset, pay careful attention to the sizing chart and get the size that will give you gentle support, not cinch your waist in so hard that you risk damaging your body.
“I didn’t have this after my first C-section,” says Beth Raledy, a mom of three from Boston. “I was better prepared for my second C-section because it was planned and I brought this with me to the hospital. For me, it was a lifesaver because it made me feel like there was something really holding my body together. Really supportive, but make sure you get the right size because they’re very specific.”
Where to buy: Bellefit Postpartum Corset (starting at $81, Amazon)
5. Belly Bandit B.F.F. Belly Wrap
Belly Bandit makes it onto our list with a second wrap. This one is a bit more expensive, but it features a full nine inches of adjustability instead of the six that you get with the regular Belly Bandit wrap. It’s ideal for petite women who may need a bit more leeway when it comes to adjusting the compression of their band.
“I have this wrap and the regular Belly Bandit,” says Joanne Lyon, a mom of twins from Iowa City, Iowa. “I tried this one because someone said it was better for women on the shorter side. I do feel like it fits me better than the regular Bandit, and I like how adjustable it is.”
Where to buy: B.F.F. Belly Wrap ($80, Belly Bandit)
Other highly recommended postpartum wraps
6. Mamaway Nano Bamboo Postnatal Support Belly Band
The breathable bamboo charcoal material used in the Mamaway Belly Band makes this one extra stretchy and comfortable. Mamaway says the bamboo charcoal emits far-infrared rays that can help improve circulation. You can easily adjust the band by using its Velcro fasteners. The Mamaway is also recommended by physiotherapists and may even be covered by your health insurance.
Where to buy: Nano Bamboo Postnatal Recovery & Support Belly Band ($110, Mamaway Maternity)
7. ChongErfei 3-in-1 Postpartum Recovery Belt
This one may look intimidating, but moms say it’s actually easy to use and super supportive. This wrap is ideal for the mom who is looking for one that will cover her entire core area, from the bottom of her breasts to the top of her hips. It only comes in two sizes, but the wrap is easily adjusted, so moms shouldn’t have any trouble with the fit.
Where to buy: ChongErfei 3-in-1 Postpartum Recovery Belt ($26, Amazon)
8. ProCare Premium Panel Elastic Binder
This no-frills option is identical to the binders some hospitals give out to new moms after they give birth. It’s supportive, adjustable and washable. New moms give it rave reviews. It gets the job done, and you really can’t beat the price.
Where to buy: ProCare Premium Panel Elastic Binder ($81, Better Braces)
9. TiRain 3-in-1 Postpartum Belt
The TiRain 3-in-1 is made up of three belts that you layer on top of one another and adjust as needed. It’s definitely a bit bulkier than our other options, and TiRain suggests you wear a tank top or lightweight T-shirt underneath, but the three belts make it so you can target your specific pain points with a great deal of precision. The belts are lightweight and breathable, so you will still feel comfortable while enjoying a truly solid amount of support.
Where to buy: TiRain 3-in-1 Postpartum Belt ($21, Amazon)
10. Trendyline Postpartum Recovery Belly Band
This belly band comes with two belts. One is intended to wrap around your abdomen, while the other should go around your lower back and be adjusted where you need the most support. This is another great option for moms who want a lot of coverage as the wrap will go from below your breasts to just above your hips. It’s adjustable via the Velcro fasteners, and the mesh material assures that the belts are breathable.
Where to buy: Trendyline Postpartum Recovery Belly Band (starting at $15, Amazon)
