How a Postpartum Belt Fits into Your New Mom Routine
The journey of motherhood brings happy moments but also comes with many challenges. Especially during the postpartum recovery process, new mothers will have to face many physical and mental problems. Changes in body shape, abdominal and back pain, and the pressure of caring for a child can make mothers feel exhausted. This is when postpartum belts become a useful solution, helping to support the abdomen, improve posture and support the body’s natural recovery process. Let’s explore the wonderful benefits of postpartum belts and how to easily adapt to new life.
What is a Postpartum Belt?
A postpartum belt is a special garment designed to wrap around the abdomen, providing support for women after giving birth. It is usually made of elastic fabric, secured with straps or buckles to fit the body. The main purpose of a postpartum belt is to stabilize the abdomen and support the back and spine.
Currently, there are many types of postpartum belts on the market, and they have various designs to meet the different needs of new moms. However, postpartum belly belts are generally categorized into three main types.
- Wrap-style belts
This is the most popular postpartum girdle. Wrap girdles are adjustable and wrap around the abdomen, usually secured with Velcro or hook-and-loop closures. They provide gentle compression and allow mothers to adjust them to fit their body.
- Corset-style belts
Corset-style postpartum girdles are similar in design to traditional corsets, secured with clasps. They are made from stronger materials like spandex or latex to provide more compression. Corset-style belts are less stretchy than wrap-style belts, but they provide more compression, making them suitable for mothers who want more belly support.
- Girdle-style belts
The final type of postpartum girdle is the one that is designed like underwear. This girdle-style belt focuses more on compressing the lower abdomen and provides full support for the back and hips. You can wear these girdles under your regular clothes and maintain a seamless look.
Benefits of postpartum belts for mums after birth
After giving birth, whether vaginal birth or C-section, the mother’s body needs a lot of time to recover, especially the abdomen and back. This is the reason why many mothers choose postpartum belts as a support solution to help this process go more smoothly.
Abdominal and Back Support
After giving birth, mothers will have to face a loose belly due to the expansion to make room for the baby during pregnancy. The postpartum belt will help to gently tighten the abdomen, support the abdominal muscles to regain firmness, and provide more stable support for the lower back.
Not only that, some postpartum mothers also have to face Diastasis recti – the two abdominal muscles are separated. This condition is due to the abdominal muscles being overstretched and not being able to return to their original position. Diastasis recti can affect the mother’s health and body shape, causing the mother to suffer a lot of pain and be mentally self-conscious. Therefore, the belly belt will help improve the condition of Diastasis recti and make the mother’s postpartum recovery process more manageable.
Pain Relief
Mothers will also have to deal with many persistent pains after giving birth such as back pain, abdominal pain due to uterine contractions or incorrect child-rearing posture. Postpartum belts help keep abdominal muscles more stable, reduce pressure on the back and abdomen, thereby effectively reducing pain.
Especially for mothers who often bend down to hold or breastfeed their children, having a back support belt will help reduce pressure on the spine, limiting the common condition of lower back pain. In addition, for mothers who have had a cesarean section, the pain in the incision area can also be relieved when the support belt supports the abdomen correctly.
Swelling Reduction
After giving birth, the mother’s body tends to retain water and cause swelling, especially in the abdomen and legs. Using a postpartum belt can help the body get rid of excess water, support better blood circulation and help the abdomen return to normal quickly.
C-section Healing
For mothers who have had a C-section, the C-section pouch is a difficult problem that makes mothers tired and stressed. The postpartum belt will help to gently fix the abdomen, limit pressure on the incision and at the same time support the skin and abdominal muscles to be firmer.
In addition, many mothers also have the problem of a sore back after C-section due to the effects of anesthesia during surgery. At that time, the belt can help reduce back pain and help mothers feel more comfortable when moving or holding their baby.
Improve Posture
New mothers also tend to hunch over due to frequently bending down to hold the baby, feed the baby or change diapers. Incorrect posture can cause back pain and affect the mother’s posture in the long term. Therefore, you can take advantage of the postpartum belt to keep your back straight and maintain the correct posture. The belt will help reduce the risk of spinal curvature, helping mothers feel more comfortable and confident in the process of caring for the baby.
How to Choose The Right Postpartum Belt?
Every mother’s body is different so that the best postpartum belt wrap will depend on each person’s needs. To choose a suitable belly wrap, you can consider some factors such as:
- Types of waist belts
As we mentioned earlier, there are three different types of waist belts to suit various needs. If you want gentle compression and flexibility, a wrap-style belt is for you. If you want more substantial compression and more support, a corset-style belt is ideal. A waist-style belt is for you if you want full support for your lower abdomen, back, and hips.
- Comfort
It’s important to remember that you’re looking for a belly wrap for support, not a waist trainer, so choose one that’s adjustable for a more comfortable, flexible fit. If the wrap is too uncomfortable, you definitely won’t want to wear it.
- Easy to use
Don’t forget to prioritize easy-to-use postpartum belts to save time and avoid getting too tired because you will be busy with thousands of tasks taking care of your baby. Choosing an easy-to-wear belly wrap will also help you not feel tired or discouraged every time you wear it.
How to Use a Postpartum Belt in Your Daily Routine
Belly wraps are a great aid to help mothers recover after giving birth. However, to get the best results, you need to know when to start wearing them, when to use them, and how to incorporate them into your daily activities.
When to Start Wearing a Postpartum Belt?
The time to start wearing a postpartum belt will depend on the mother’s method of birth. If you have a normal birth, you can start wearing the belt after 1-2 days when your body feels ready and there are no serious complications. However, in the first few days, you should not tighten it too much to avoid affecting blood circulation and uterine contractions.
As for mothers who have had a cesarean section, you need to wait at least about 2 weeks or until the incision has completely healed to avoid negative effects. Wearing the belt too soon can put pressure on the incision, hindering the healing process. When using it, you should choose a belt with soft material that can be adjusted to provide gentle support without causing discomfort.
When Should Postpartum Belts Be Worn?
To get the most out of your postpartum belly band, you should incorporate it into your daily routine. You can wear it while breastfeeding or using a breast pump to maintain a straight back and avoid back pain from bending over for too long. Especially for mothers who have had a cesarean section, sitting in the wrong position can put pressure on the incision and make the healing process longer.
You can also use a belly band when holding your baby to help support your lower back, reduce pressure on your spine and limit pain. The belly band can also provide support when you start gentle exercises such as walking, yoga or abdominal tightening exercises.
And of course, you can wear the belly band when you rest and relax to help your abdominal muscles stay better fixed. However, you should note that you should not wear the belly band for more than 6-8 hours/day and not wear it when you sleep to avoid affecting blood circulation.
Final Words
Using a postpartum belt correctly will help mothers recover faster, reduce pain and improve posture effectively. For best results, you should use it at the right time, combine it with a healthy diet and gentle exercise. Listen to your body and consult your doctor to choose the right belt. Wishing you a smooth and comfortable postpartum recovery process!
Follow