Ask any mom and they’ll tell you: the postpartum period can be difficult. You’re adjusting to life with a newborn, you’re experiencing all of the symptoms of postpartum and navigating through life as a new parent.
You may also start to feel a little self conscious about your body - even though there’s no need to, since you just gave birth! With that being said, it’s natural that you may want to find a way to feel a little better about your new postpartum body.
A great way to do that is by using a belly band. This helps to support your body so it can return to your figure before pregnancy.
It also minimizes the amount of pressure that you get on your back and waist, so it’s handy after you’ve had a natural birth or a c section.
Of course, it can be difficult to find the best option for you. Thankfully, we’re here to help. Read on for our picks of the best belly bands after pregnancy. We’ve also written a nifty buyer’s guide to help you to narrow down your decision.
OUR TOP PICK
If you’re looking for a high quality belly band for after pregnancy, then look no further than the TiRain 3 in 1.
This belly band is especially great as it is a set that comes in two sizes - a standard size and a plus size for if you weigh more than 190 pounds.
When you buy this band, you will be getting three different products in total. The first one is a taller belly band and this is designed to put pressure on the entire abdominal region.
The second one is a thicker belt which is designed especially for the waist. Finally, you have a smaller third belt that is made to support the pelvic region.
What we especially like about these belly bands is that you can wear them even when it’s blaring heat in the summer months. This is thanks to the breathable, stretchy fabric for extra comfort.
You don’t need to have your own 19th century handmaid to put it on either, as it’s fairly simple to adjust all by yourself. This is especially handy if you’re home alone taking care of your baby in the weeks after your partner goes back to work.
The only real problem is that the band can begin to roll up on your body when you’re wearing it, which isn’t particularly useful.
Pros
- Comes in standard and plus size
- Lots of adjustability options
- Can be used after vaginal and C section delivery.
Cons
- It can have a habit of rolling up when you wear it
EDITORS CHOICE
This is yet another fantastic 3 in 1 wrap for women navigating their postpartum journey. With the Chongerfei 3 in 1 wrap you will have plenty of support for your pelvis, waist and belly.
The belly band is especially handy when worn under clothes as the elastic is positioned high on the waist. You don’t need to worry about any bulging fabric that may look unseemly.
It won’t roll down either, which is always a plus. Putting it on is especially simple, and can be done without the help of anyone else. You can even wear it after having a c section.
The wrap has a little bit of boning built in, and thanks to this you will have support in your lower back too.
It’s simple to clean once you’re done with wearing it, and the fabric is breathable - ideal for wearing it on a summer day.
Unfortunately this is not suitable for people that weigh more than 190 pounds, however.
Pros
- Breathable, comfortable fabric
- Cleaning is simple
- Easy to put on thanks to simple velcro closures
Cons
- Not suitable for women over 190 pounds
BEST VALUE
If you’re looking for a great belly wrap to give you some extra shape, you will love the Gepoetry Belly Wrap. This is a 3 in 1 wrap system that consists of individual girdle and belly wrap pieces.
This is a great wrap if you are looking for shapewear to help you have extra confidence after giving birth. The pieces are designed to reduce the appearance of your stomach, help to support your back and so much more.
Of course, it goes without saying that not every piece of the band can be used immediately after giving birth, but this is also a good thing as it can support you for each part of your postpartum recovery.
It isn’t without its own issues, however. You can’t use all of the pieces of the wrap at once, and it can take a while to get used to all of the individual pieces.
Otherwise this is a great confidence booster for moms in the postpartum period, and it’s definitely worth a try.
Pros
- 3 in 1 system
- Designed to shape the body and provide support
- Comfortable
Cons
- It can take a while to get used to using each of the individual pieces, and they can take a while to put on
RUNNER UP
Sometimes you just don’t want to spend a fortune on a belly band. Sometimes you want a little bit of extra money to spend on some snacks to enjoy, or to spend on a nice new dress to help you to feel your best after giving birth to your baby.
Thankfully, with the Loday Recovery Wrap, you can save a few pennies. This is an affordable and effective belly band that you are sure to enjoy.
For starters, this wrap is very easy to use. There are no overly complicated hooks or anything required to fasten it - you can just slip the wrap right onto your body without making any adjustments or messing around with closures.
The wrap is designed especially for giving you extra shape postpartum. It helps to smooth out your figure and give you extra support on the back. It helps you to maintain a better posture after giving birth.
It is also made out of pretty thick material to keep you warm during the summer. This can be an issue if you’re wearing thin clothing of course, so it’s best to wear something thicker if you plan on wearing this belly band.
You are also going to need to take your measurements before buying this belly band because it is somewhat smaller than advertised.
Pros
- No rolling
- Very affordable
- Slides straight on - no fastening required
Cons
- You are going to need to take your measurements since it is a little smaller than advertised.
RUNNER UP
Not all fabrics work for every woman. If you struggle with allergies though, you will love this postpartum belly band. It’s made out of hypoallergenic materials so you don’t need to worry about the material making your body itch.
With this product you can expect support in your lower body - it’s even suitable for women that have had a c section. It’s great for encouraging good posture in postpartum moms.
The material is very breathable, and you will get plenty of back support thanks to the design of the belly band.
As a whole, this is a very good product that provides you with all of the things you would expect to have in a belly band. It’s supportive, comfortable and makes you feel like your best self when you look in the mirror.
The only issue with it is that it can sometimes have a habit of rolling up and wrinkling, so you should keep this in mind.
Pros
- Very breathable fabric
- Comfortable
- Suitable for moms that have had a c section
Cons
- The belly band can sometimes have a habit of wrinkling and rolling up as you move.
Best Belly Band After Pregnancy Buying Guide
Why Should You Wear a Belly Band after Pregnancy?
You may think that this is just another arbitrary product for postpartum that you’ll never use, but there are a number of reasons why wearing a belly band after pregnancy is a good idea.
The first is that it can give you good abdominal support. The fact of the matter is that giving birth can put a lot of strain on the muscles in your stomach, no matter how you delivered. Wraps can help to reduce this pressure or pain a little bit so it can aid in your recovery.
In addition to this, belly bands are good for your posture after pregnancy, which is pretty important. Your posture can change rather dramatically while you’re pregnant in order to support your baby, and it can take a while to get it back to the way it was. It can also help to relieve back pain.
How to Choose the Best Belly Band After Pregnancy
Of course, you can’t just choose any belly band. You need to choose one that’s going to be the right one for you in order to reap the benefits.
With that in mind, here are a couple of the things that you should keep in mind when choosing the best belly band after pregnancy.
Comfort
You can find belly wraps in a range of different materials and styles, so it may be a bit tricky at first to know exactly what you’re looking for.
There are a few main things to consider though, namely the belly wrap’s breathability, adjustability and flexibility. It’s very important that the wrap has enough flexibility to stay in its proper shape while you’re moving or sitting.
The material should not irritate your skin, whether you’re still or in motion. Try to avoid belly wraps with abrasive materials. Some wraps also come with hooks to ensure that you can make it fit perfectly for you - not too loose, not too tight.
Oh, and after you’ve bought your belly band, be sure to put it in the washing machine for a wash before you use it.
Durability
Why cause yourself more stress by purchasing a belly band that’s going to break apart after around one use? If the band is stretching a lot, it can sometimes start to distort if you don’t buy a band that’s durable enough.
You don’t want a slacked belly wrap, as it’s ultimately useless and doesn’t hold the skin in place very well, It also isn’t going to give you any support for your back.
Make sure that you’re buying a belly band that has been constructed out of high quality, durable materials. Make sure that the materials don’t take a long time to dry, too.
Affordability
You don’t really want to be spending a fortune on a belly wrap - there’s no need. You can get a great deal of fantastic belly bands for an affordable price, so you have that extra budget leftover to buy yourself some treats (you deserve it!).
Make sure that you get something that’s effective, but also doesn’t cost you half of your life’s savings.
Ease of Use
It’s pretty important to make sure that you buy a belly band that you can put on and remove relatively easily. You don’t want to be spending ages attempting to figure out how it works - no new mom has time for that kind of hassle!
It should be easy to put your belly band on and it shouldn’t be a struggle. You should just be able to slip it onto your body without much trouble.
Size
Ideally you should be looking for a postpartum belt that’s stretchy, and something that can perfectly fit your unique body. Getting the wrong size can be pretty problematic - you may feel uncomfortable. Stay away from any belly bands that are too tight or too loose.
How do you make sure that you get the right size? First of all, try to measure your belly’s circumference. Then check the sizing of the belly band to ensure that it will work with your body. Some belly bands also extend further down into the abdomen area or they may go past the hips, in which case you will also need to check your pelvis and waistline measurements.
You can find the vast majority of belts available in sizes ranging from XS to XL, or some may come in dress sizes. Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines before purchasing.
Belly Flattening
Part of the reason that you may buy a belly band for after pregnancy is that you want to flatten your belly a little. Some belly wraps are specifically made to make your belly look flatter during the postpartum period.
They can make you look almost like you’re at your pre-pregnancy weight again. If this is important to you, then you should be looking out for this feature.
How It Looks Underneath Clothing
You may not want everyone in the street to know that you’re wearing a belly band underneath your clothing, in which case you’ll want one that’s a little more discreet.
This means staying away from any belly bands that excessively stick out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take for my belly to go away after pregnancy?
This can depend on a number of factors, from your genetics to whether this was your first pregnancy or not. In general though, if you delivered naturally then it will likely take 4-6 weeks for your stomach to go back to around its pre-pregnancy size.
This is a little different with a C section as your belly can take a little longer to heal. You should really give it some time though - it may take from 6 to 8 weeks to get back to ‘normal,’ but for some women it could take longer. It’s perfectly natural either way, and you should try not to put too much pressure on yourself.
There are a number of different things that can influence how quickly you can lose the baby weight, so if you are concerned about it then you should speak to your doctor. Make sure that you don’t do any strenuous exercise until your doctor tells you that you can do so.
When should I start wearing a belly band after pregnancy?
If you’re ready to do so, you can wear a belly band immediately after delivering if you wish. The only exception to this is if you had any complications while delivering. You should ask your doctor or midwife if you aren’t sure.
To get the full benefits of a belly band, you should wear it for around 6 to 8 weeks - you may need to wear it for longer in certain circumstances. You should also try to wear it for around 10 to 12 hours a day if you can.