belly binding anyone?

[eewieew]

i responded to a post about this in the main "birth and beyond" folder but got no replies.

i'm very interested in this - i've seen tons of postpartum support garments out there, and am wondering if anyone has plans to bind or has in the past, and what the results were?

as it stands right now, i own a corset that i don't think will be functional in this capacity - i doubt i'd be able to lace it at all to be honest
i also have a few bella bands that i wear regularly, but i wonder if they would provide too little support, and i hate the idea of dropping $30 for a manufactured garment. i read that something like an old sheet would work, but how would you wear that beneath your clothes? Seems like it would be bulky. Perhaps a sari or something would be better?

any info is appreciated! i already had a lot of looseness in my belly before getting pregnant due to significant weight loss, and would like to do whatever i can to encourage all of my pieces to go back into their proper places!!

[faeriemom]

I plan to belly bind this time. I did buy one of the pre-made binders because it could also be used during pregnancy (just not so tight) for lifting the belly and supporting the back. Can't remember the brand name, but I bought it at BRU for a little under $30.

I have read that you can use regular material wrapped tightly around, covering the entire abdomen, for binding. Maybe just pin it or, if you're handy, you could attach velcro to it yourself. I'd think the material would have to have a tiny bit of stretch to it to get a good fit. But I'm not sure exactly what material would be best.

Have you tried googling belly binding? If I recall correctly, that's how I found a lot of good information about it. I just can't think straight right now because it's so early in the morning!

Hope someone else can be more helpful!

[eewieew]

thanks for the input...i have googled it in the past, but i like getting info from the ladies here because many of them are crunchy thrifty geniuses - something i aspire to be someday.

i saw some that were really cool, maybe on etsy or something, but waaaay too expensive. they were made of beautiful fabrics and tied on the sides with a d-ring type loop.

i like your velcro idea...i feel like it wouldn't be hard at all, just a few yards of something like a stretchy twill with a big old piece of velcro sewn on, and i could make that for less than $10, even cheaper if i found jersey knit sheets at the thrift store.

or what about somehting like spanx? my mom works in a store where i can get them at 50% off.

[DomerJen]

I was thinking about just an extra wide ace bandage...

[eewieew]

i read a piece written by a woman who bound her belly with ace bandages and said it worked great, and you get a lot more flexibility with the sizing, tautness, etc. oh, and it's cheap!

[DomerJen]

Is this the one you saw?

http://downtothelastcigarette.blogsp...y-binding.html

I just bought a lot of 10 ace bandages on ebay for $15. I figure that'll give me enough to wash and such.

[candynut]

I've been reading about this a lot in the past few days as well.

I think I've decided to get Ace bandages. I have heard mostly good things about the Ace bandages, but a few people really dislike them. I think it's just the extra hassle. DH promised he would help me and told me that he tends to wrap them too tightly, which I think is good.

I might switch over to some spanx or something after the lochia stops. I was looking at all the fancy manufactured binders, but it seems like you would need 2 of them since your size can change so much.

[K&JsMaMa]

what are the benefits of belly binding? This is my third and I've never heard of this before.

Off to google...

[Malva]

Originally Posted by faeriemom

Maybe just pin it or, if you're handy, you could attach velcro to it yourself.

A Snappy would probably work to close it as well.

[eewieew]

Originally Posted by DomerJen

Is this the one you saw?

http://downtothelastcigarette.blogsp...y-binding.html

I just bought a lot of 10 ace bandages on ebay for $15. I figure that'll give me enough to wash and such.

why it certainly is!

[eewieew]

Originally Posted by K&JsMaMa

what are the benefits of belly binding? This is my third and I've never heard of this before.

Off to google...

belly binding is believed to help support the internal organs as they find their way back into place. also helps aid the uterus in shrinking back down to size.
don't know if it does anything to help with "jelly belly" but it definitely wouldn't hurt to try!

[K&JsMaMa]

Originally Posted by jdubbelewe

belly binding is believed to help support the internal organs as they find their way back into place. also helps aid the uterus in shrinking back down to size.
don't know if it does anything to help with "jelly belly" but it definitely wouldn't hurt to try!

Definately sounds beneficial. I'm planning on doing more research after I get my boys off to school.

[YayJennie]

I had never heard of this, but after reading about it fully intend to belly bind! The benefits sound awesome, and using a few ace bandages is cheap and not too much of a hassle I would think. Plus I know I'll be self conscious after the birth, so a little binding might help me feel better about going to class, seeing all my classmates, when I still have a tummy. What a great idea. Thanks for posting!

[lanielayne]

I have Spanx already. Do you think that would work? I a pretty sure it still fits me as I am still wearing my normal jeans just low on my belly. I have one of those bella bands too which I usually wear but I don't' think it would give enough support.

[eewieew]

Originally Posted by lanielayne

I have Spanx already. Do you think that would work? I a pretty sure it still fits me as I am still wearing my normal jeans just low on my belly. I have one of those bella bands too which I usually wear but I don't' think it would give enough support.

i don't see why spanx wouldn't work...i'd want to try the high-waisted variety tho. i have a pair from pre-preg but the cut so badly at the waist, which i think would be awful immediately after giving birth.

i don't think a bella band is the answer after all...but, i bet it would keep things nice and smooth if you put one on over top of ace bandages or something like that.

[fuzzypeach]

There are a couple of threads on this in the Birth and Beyond forum, you could find them if you searched for belly binding, I'm sure. I read about it a few months ago and am planning on doing it - after DD's birth, it felt SO WEIRD to have my innards squooshing around in a big empty space, I would rather not feel that again, hehe. If it helps me regain my girlish figure sooner too, then that's nice as well

I've been eyeing some for a while - the two I've been looking at are the Sugarbelly and the Sweetness Sash... they're $60 and $70 bucks though. I can easily justify it by saying this is my last pregnancy & birth and I should make the most of it and pamper myself but the ace bandages are so much cheaper that my thrifty self is now undecided.... hmmm....

I *know* a bella band or similar will not offer the necessary support; they have way too much give.

[cairomama]

They gave me a binder in the hospital after my first birth ( a cesarean). I wore it constantly for a week or two, but wish I would have worn it longer. I am going to wear one this time again as well.

I think to get the full benefit, you need something stronger than a Belly Band or Spanx.

I think a corset would would later on, but it is probably worth it to get something specifically designed for it because it will be more comfortable in the early days and if you have a c-section, you will not want to wear your corset right away because it will get dirty.

[GoddessJ]

My DP got me one a few weeks ago. It is the Yogi style from a website I found and now can't remember. I have worn it a few days here and there and it definitly helps with my posture and keeping my pants up. So far I also haven't gotten any stretch marks on my belly, which I have read that binding during pregnancy also helps with.

I plan on wearing it post partum for sure. It doesn't give me as much tightness as I would like, so I have also thought of having some ace bandages as well.

[birthangeldoula]

I have a belly binder that they gave me after my c-section. I kept it and will probably use it again after my VBAC.

[Devaskyla]

I tried using a wrap my friend made for support a couple days ago. First time I tied it on, it was sooo comfortable. Second time, it made my pelvic pain worse. Not sure what I did differently. I think it would work great for postpartum, but it's kind of bulky with the knot at the back. I might have to see if the dollar store has any cheap elastic bandages. I have a couple, but nothing to hold them closed & one of them is very stretched out from years of being used.