more belly binding...

[Juvysen]

Ok, I'm THRILLED with the belly binding. Granted, it's only been a few hours, but, I had forgotten that weird, breathless, my-diaphragm-is-too-floppy-to-let-me-breathe-properly, my-guts-are-hanging-out-in-my-loose-belly postpartum feeling. I bought the belly binder mostly for hope that it's help my abs knit back together better. I'm so thrilled having that weird postpartum feeling somewhat mitigated!! Also, a friend gave me a post-surgical binder she had from after her c-section and it's somewhat too big (I didn't gain much weight), but it fits perfectly around my hips and is HEAVENLY. My pelvis and hips felt so loose and floppy after pushing out a 9.5 lb baby, but having something just sort of hold them all together and stabilize things is just wonderful, so I have to recommend some kind of hip binder if that appeals to you, too Awesome.

[staceychev]

That's awesome, Jenna.

Can I ask a question? I bought this Medela thing the other day, but it doesn't really feel like it's giving me any support. Should I be looking for something different?

[Juvysen]

That's the one I have... I had to pull it pretty tight to feel supported (which, admittedly, is a trick)... maybe you need a different size or a different kind would support you better?

[josie423]

Yup, I'm dealing with that yucky feeling too right now. I'm going to bind soon, but my binder needs to be washed. I should have done it before birth!

How is your stomach looking? This is my third as well and I am amazed at how fast I am shrinking. I did gain less weight this time, maybe that is why?

[Juvysen]

Originally Posted by josie423

Yup, I'm dealing with that yucky feeling too right now. I'm going to bind soon, but my binder needs to be washed. I should have done it before birth!

How is your stomach looking? This is my third as well and I am amazed at how fast I am shrinking. I did gain less weight this time, maybe that is why?

I haven't looked at it since I bound it which was only like 4-5 hrs after I gave birth... I'll update when I do, though

[Juvysen]

Ok, so day 2 - not as pleased with the specific binder I have - I wanted it tighter, now, so i did that, but now it rolls in the back which is annoying to me, but not enough to cause me to stop using it. I think one made with no-roll elastic would be 100 times better, but am still so glad to have something binding my belly!

I slept without my hip binder part on last night - not good - woke up this morning in a lot of pain, but luckily already had a chiropractor appointment scheduled, which helped a lot. He said the binding was fine and would likely help, so I'll go back to it.

Josie, dh has even commented how much smaller my belly seems this time

[gardenmommy]

How did you know what size to buy? I want to order one, but think maybe I should wait until after my baby is born?

[Juvysen]

the one I have is an s/m... I am usually between those two sizes, so i went for it... I was puzzling over how to know a few weeks ago, too, though. All the stuff I read required you to know your pre-pregnancy waist size, which I didn't.

[gardenmommy]

Hmmm... I have no idea what my pre-pregnancy waist size is. I'm always between a L/M, but I gain most of my weight in my hips and thighs, so by the end of pregnancy, I am always an XL or XXL, depending on brand/style.

[Juvysen]

Yeah, but they're made for postpartum. TBH, the first day, I had to really pull to get it to the medium size, but it felt good to have it tight. The second day, medium was feeling too loose and I adjusted it over to the small size to get it feeling like it was actually holding me in... I did have to pull to get it over there, though, but by the end of the day, putting it back on was no big deal. My hip binder feels too loose, now, too, but I don't have a size down option for that so I'm just leaving it on a bit looser.

I guess what I'm saying is that it's crazy how fast you slim down.

I've heard really good things about just using a ring sling or a bed sheet or something like that, though, which would obviously be much more adjustable...

[Juvysen]

*I meant these things seem to slim you down faster...

[tri31]

Congratulations on the new baby! I really want to get a binder. Is there anywhere in Binghamton you can buy one?

[Juvysen]

Originally Posted by tri31

Congratulations on the new baby! I really want to get a binder. Is there anywhere in Binghamton you can buy one?

I got mine at Burlington Coat Factory, but they have some at motherhood, too... different ones.