Following childbirth, the problems you go through as a new mother may be quite saddening or even depressing. Whether you've had normal delivery or a C-section, you may be feeling some pain around your back and waist and also experiencing anxieties about your appearance as a result of the belly fat gained during the pregnancy.
Fortunately, all of these problems can be reduced or even eliminated with the use of a postpartum belt or belly binder. In this article, we'll guide you through choosing the best post natal belt for your needs. We'll explore girdles, wraps and pull-ons and also include recommended products available to order from Amazon, eBay and Boots.
Quick List - Top Postpartum Belts
Belly Bandit
A Comfy Wrap That Accelerates Postpartum Healing
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Whether you want to reduce swelling, support or shape your abdominal muscles, or you just want to keep your body from looking puffy and sluggish after childbirth, this buying guide will let you know the factors you should bear in mind while making your purchase.
Although some of the terminology might be used interchangeably, there is actually a difference in style and construction when it comes to postpartum belly binding. We'll consider the most common styles below.
Postpartum girdles are usually made of a stiffened material. They provide compression around your midsection to shape your torso. As the girdle encircles and contains your tummy, it engages your abdominal muscles to help bring about a better post-pregnancy figure.
These girdles, sometimes also called corsets or waist trainers, give you very firm, heavy compression due to the sturdy material they're made of. Consequently, they're also the best variety for easing lower back pain as they provide great back support.
Belly wraps are made with much lighter fabric. Thus, they provide gentle compression as they fit snugly around the belly, waist, or pelvis, depending on the design. The wraps are a lot more adjustable than girdles and allow you move more freely in them.
Belly wraps most commonly come with Velcro as the closure, which is a strong material that is able to hold in a lot of weight. This fastening makes wraps really easy to put on and take off and means they will stay in place once both ends of the fabric come together, without the need for continued adjustment.
For a mother not wanting to deal with the inconveniences that come with belts with closures, you might find pull-ons easier to use. Most pull-on belts are made without Velcro, zippers or hook-and-eye closures, allowing them to provide smoother compression for the waist and abdominals.
This trouble-free smoothness is especially beneficial to a mother trying to heal from a C-section as there are no fastenings to interfere with the incisions from the surgery. Be mindful that pull-up belts tend to sit less firmly, though, as they can roll and move beneath clothing.
It is important that you're checking to see that the postpartum belt is not only stretchy, but also adaptable to your body size. A belt that doesn't fit right will cause lots of discomfort, so avoid bands that may be too tight or so loose that they become an annoyance for you.
Measure the circumference of your belly and opt for a belt that corresponds in size to your measurements. Also, for belts that extend below the abdomen and go down to the hips, they should be of a size that goes around your waistline or pelvis.
Most belts are available either in XS-XL or dress sizes as opposed to inches, so be sure to consult each brand's sizing guide for the right fit.
A good postpartum belt should be made of elastic, flexible material that feels soft and is comfortable to wear, such as cotton or polyester blended with elastane or spandex.
And since you'll be wearing it over the course of several hours, either all day or all night, the material should be breathable too – natural or natural-based fabrics like cotton, bamboo and rayon will better control perspiration and allow air circulation to your skin.
Also, like most underwear items, it's preferable to go for a colour that matches the tone of your skin or what you wear most if you're going to be stepping out with it, as this will prevent it showing through. Beige is a common choice as it can be worn under both pale and dark clothing.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Paukee Postpartum High Waist C-Panty | ![]() | A Great Girdle for C-section Recovery and More | |
2 | Belly Bandit Belly Bandit® Bamboo Belly Wrap|BA-Black-M | ![]() | A Comfy Wrap That Accelerates Postpartum Healing | |
3 | Bellefit Bellefit® Abdominal Binder Corset | ![]() | The Best for Extra-Firm Compression | |
4 | Sofit Postpartum Belly Wrap | ![]() | A Breathable Wrap With Mesh Design | |
5 | Lifeyz Postpartum Tummy Girdle | ![]() | A Girdle for a Charming Post-Pregnancy Figure | |
6 | Aigori 3-in-1 Postpartum Support Belt | ![]() | A Sleeky-Styled Belt In Accommodating Sizes | |
7 | Tirain Postpartum Recovery 3-in-1 Belt | ![]() | A Versatile Postpartum Belt In Three Parts | |
8 | Neo-G Pregnancy Support Belt | ![]() | A Dual-Purpose Support Belt That's Also Reversible | |
9 | Loday Postpartum Girdle | ![]() | A Thick Pull-On That Keeps You Warm | |
10 | Gotoly Waist Trainer | ![]() | The Best Budget Pick |
This special product seems to blur the lines between a girdle-style belt and the pull-on style. The unique design combines features from both styles – the presence of a zipper closure and the faff-free feature of pull-ons, so you're getting the best of both stress-free worlds.
Further, the high waist zipper eliminates the problem of unsteadiness and migration that is common with most pull-ons, while also maintaining optimal compression. This optimum level of compression is just what is needed for your healing after a C-section or birth. An all-round brilliant buy!
Don't you just love a really simple yet highly-functional piece of clothing? The Belly Bandit is exactly that and more! It is so simple to put on and take off – just wrap it round your belly while the Velcro holds it in place. As its made from bamboo viscose, it's very soft and breathable, too.
The wrap is designed to accelerate your recovery after childbirth as it works towards a smaller belly. And since it isn't too wide, there is enough space below the chest to allow you to breastfeed conveniently while wearing it. The material itself even acts as a gentle cushion for your baby.
So you're several weeks or even months postpartum and still looking pregnant? Buying this product is the best investment to make for your tummy at this time! This is a medical-grade compression fabric that is more like a heavy-duty medical brace.
It will provide that rigid compression that you need to flatten your tummy, and it will do so speedily. It features hook-and-eye fasteners in three rows, allowing for complete adjustment as desired. This closure has the strength to not pop under pressure, and with such a wide size range, you'll definitely find your fit.
This mesh-styled wrap garment features tiny hollow perforations around the fabric that allow for air to move freely. This strong air permeability means that it's really breathable and perfect for use in hot weather, especially if you're not used to wearing a wrap.
In addition, the ergonomic shape is fitting for the contours of your body so that it sits on seamlessly. This works to give you that hour-glass figure you desire to return to, and it does so without feeling too tight or exerting undue pressure on your internal organs. Also, unlike many wraps, it can be machine washed.
Here's a postpartum girdle that provides the abdominal support you need after childbirth. The cotton material is soft, yet has a firm reinforcement to give the trunk of your body a speedy return to that charming pre-pregnancy body you miss!
What's more, the beige colour can be worn discreetly under clothing, even under white tops or dresses. Also, the adjustable design fits most body sizes and it can be tightened to the level that you're comfortable with.
Here's another 3-in-1 belt with a sleek design. This one is mainly made of nylon fabric with a bit of elastane (spandex) included. Together, they make a very stretchy and lightweight belt that is easy to use and also easy to clean and maintain.
Nylon is quite resistant to moisture and not easily damaged by oils or chemicals, which enables the postpartum belt to last longer. Though using it is also a bit confusing at first, we rank this product above the previous listing because it accommodates larger body sizes.
This unique product contains a belly band, waist belt and pelvis binder all in one, so you may use either a single piece alone or the entire set at the same time. This versatility of the product allows you to focus on bringing healing to the specific areas of your body where pain is most felt.
Made of 80% polyamide, the material has high durability and strength. Polyamide is also prized for its softness, so you know you're getting a delicate fabric that will be gentle on your skin. On the downside, you may find this 3-in-1 belt is not as easy to use as some due to the multiple layers. Its sizing is also quite limited.
This thin belt has a short width that encircles the lower abdominals and lumbar. It serves a dual purpose as both a prenatal and postnatal support belt, with the reversible feature that is adaptable both during and after pregnancy.
Providing mild to moderate compression, it supports lax ligaments and muscles around the pelvis. The material which is made of synthetic fibres is durable and abrasion-resistant. However, do avoid it if you're allergic or sensitive to those synthetic fibres as they may cause an allergic reaction.
The fabric of this garment is not constrictive and provides continued protection for quick recovery after a caesarean delivery, so it's a great post-surgery body shaper that improves your physique after childbirth.
When worn underneath a darker dress or top, it conceals well under clothes with no unsightly edges showing through. The fabric is thick to keep you warm in cold weather, which is enhanced by the black colour that retains heat. However, you might not like the feel of it when it's hot outside!
Costing less than a tenner, this product is the best in our ranking for those working with a tight budget. You'll also like the simplicity of the design and its ease of use! The cotton material is light and very breathable too, so you don't need to worry about suffering any discomfort with it at all.
It is a pull-on type belt and there are no fastenings embedded in the construction. This allows you to pull it on like a skirt from the feet up to the waist without having to fiddle with any closures. Unfortunately, however, this light material may not provide the level of rigid compression that some women are after.
A postpartum belt, also known as an abdominal binder or a belly band, is a tightly-fitting garment which extends from below the chest to the hips. It is worn by new mums after the birth of a child, to support in restoring the pre-pregnancy figure.
In addition, it works to reduce the pressure on the back and waist, improve posture, and ensure that incisions heal properly after a C-section. Thus, investing in a postpartum belt will help your body to bounce back quickly after baby's arrival!
Finding the right postpartum or postnatal clothing and skincare can be tricky to say the least – which brands, styles, or materials are best? How do you know which ingredients are safest for both you and baby? Luckily, we have several more helpful guides to lend a hand.
The days after childbirth should be spent bonding with your new baby, not agonising about your weight, health and shape. Hopefully, with the aid of one of our recommended products, those worries can be put behind you so that all of your attention remains on your new bundle of joy!
Author: David Gbe
No. 1: Paukee|Postpartum High Waist C-Panty
No. 2: Belly Bandit|Belly Bandit® Bamboo Belly Wrap|BA-Black-M
No. 3: Bellefit|Bellefit® Abdominal Binder Corset
No. 4: Sofit|Postpartum Belly Wrap
No. 5: Lifeyz|Postpartum Tummy Girdle
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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