Postpartum abdominal wrapping has been around for centuries and many cultures around the world continue to partake in this practice. Until recently, it was not widely performed in the USA, but thanks to companies like the Belly Bandit, postpartum belly wrapping has become simple and yes, even stylish.

You are probably wondering what on earth all this belly wrapping is about? Applying an abdominal compression garment to your mid section, after you have given birth, can assist you in helping you gain your pre-pregnancy figure faster. In addition, postpartum wraps may help reduce the swelling of the uterus, decrease bloating caused by water retention, support your legs & back and provide additional comfort and support for breastfeeding moms. An abdominal support garment is often recommend to moms who use a front carrier to carry their baby, especially where a diastasis has been diagnosed. The traditional abdominal compression garments used around the world take the form of a long piece of fabric which is cumbersome, difficult to put on and take off and can be very uncomfortable in warm weather. The fabric will often look very bulky under clothing. Most of the modern postpartum wraps on the market are poorly made, poorly designed and feature fabrics that are very uncomfortable to wear, often not allowing your skin to breathe. In comes the Belly Bandit™ to the rescue, with their line of beautiful and high quality postpartum belly wraps which are doctor recommended. For more info check out “what makes us so special.”

Belly Bandit™ offers 3 collections:

*Belly Bandit™ Couture featuring gorgeous designs

*Belly Bandit™ Original featuring black and neutrals

*Bamboo Belly™ Bandit featuring Oeko-Tex certified Bamboo fabric

We receive samples of the Bamboo Belly Bandit™ to test. The Bamboo fabric has passed the Oeko-Tex Std, meaning that the fabric has been tested to ensure that it is free from harmful substances. Bamboo is the ideal choice of fabric for a garment such as a postpartum belly wrap. Bamboo fabric is soft to the touch, has moisture wicking properties, is anti-microbial and is very durable. The bamboo belly bandit™ is proudly made here in the USA and the quality of this garment is superb. The designers have mom’s comfort in mind with features such as a tagless design, a well tailored shape for maximum comfort and five inches of adjustability to stay snug as you shrink. The belly bandit™ is available in various sizes and arrives beautifully packaged. The belly bandit™ comes with an informative insert with clear instructions and additional useful hints and suggestions.

We enlisted the help of 3 moms (who had recently given birth) to try the Belly Bandit™ for a period of 6 weeks.

Trisha age 25, first pregnancy:

“As thrilled as I was when I found out that I was pregnant with my first child, I secretly was dreading the expanding belly and extra pounds and my thoughts soon raced to the postpartum period. Most of my friends had given birth to their first baby and I had seen their postpartum bodies and I admit that I was afraid! I didn’t want to be stuck in maternity clothing well after I had given birth (as they had) and be asked when was my baby due! At the same time, I wasn’t prepared to go on a diet or take on a strict workout schedule because I knew that it wouldn’t be healthy or practical with a newborn. I was really excited to test out the belly bandit. I was impressed that they offer a Bamboo version, since I am trying really hard to live a green lifestyle. The belly bandit is super easy to put on. I love the natural cream color and I find the fabric to be super soft. It is very well made and I was so impressed that it is made in the USA and not in some factory in China. Usually, I have a difficult time finding clothes that fit me since I am 5″3 with a short torso. The dimensions of the Belly Bandit did not overwhelm my body and fit me perfectly. My husband commented that I looked more svelte underneath clothing which gave me that extra boost of confidence that all new moms need. I wore the belly bandit for 6 weeks and each week I could fasten the belly bandit tighter and tighter to my sheer delight! I really loved being able to see how my tummy was shrinking! I am extremely impressed with my 6 week tummy, and so are my family and friends. I will definitely be recommending this product to every pregnant mama for their postpartum period. Thank you for helping new moms get back to shape simply, without starvation or crazy workouts.”

Gloria, age 28, 2nd pregnancy:

“I am originally from West Africa. In my culture, postpartum belly wrapping is normal and I was really shocked that Americans weren’t familiar with it. Belly wrapping has so many benefits, besides the obvious aesthetics and helps a women make a smooth and quick recovery from childbirth. I grew up watching family members bind each others abdominal areas following birth. After the birth of my first baby, my mother and sister flew into to help out and insisted that they would bind me up. They used a long piece of fabric and it took forever to bind me up. It was summer and I was dealing with all this extra fabric, plus my wackly postpartum thermostat. The minute they returned home, I pulled it off and didn’t go near it again. I was so happy to have found a modern alternative that was far more comfortable, looked attractive yet provided the same level of support. I didn’t overheat during the summer while wearing the bamboo belly bandit and I was truly thankful for the beautiful bamboo fabric! I am a strong babywearing advocate and I am carrying my newborn baby in a sling, as I did with my first. With the Belly Bandit, my back feels very supported and the wrap allows me to carry my baby in a sling for longer periods of time. I will continue to wear the Belly Bandit for back support while I babywear!”

Jessica, 3rd pregnancy age 35:

“I hadn’t heard of an abdominal compression garment for the postpartum period before and I was intrigued! Since I have been pregnant 3 times, my body has gone through its share of expansions. I was seriously prepared to wear my maternity clothes until 6 months postpartum, as I had done after my first and second pregnancies. Juggling 2 kids and a newborn while managing a household would mean that I would have even less time to workout and cook really healthy meals. I couldn’t wait to open up the package and try on the belly bandit. I wasn’t familiar with bamboo fabric and loved how it felt against my skin. No-one could tell that I was wearing it underneath my clothes, although people did comment on how fabulous I was looking. When I took it off to wash it, I realized just how supportive it was, and how it really minimized my lower back pain. I would recommend buying 2 so that you have one to wash and one to wear. The results? After 6 weeks of wearing it regularly, my tummy was significantly smaller after this 3rd pregnancy than it was with the 1st and 2nd. This is a tough accomplishment and I am sold! I only wish that I had used the Belly Bandit with my first 2 pregnancies. I have never been so happy to box up the maternity wear and gift it to a friend of mine. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to any new mom, regardless of how many pregnancies that they have had. Thank you!”

The Belly Bandit website is well designed and easy to explore. A good place to start is the FAQ section. Find a store in your area that carries this product here or shop the online store here.

*Although Belly wrapping has had a long standing history of safely, please consult your health care professional prior to use. Not for use during pregnancy!