Belly Binding

Mommy2Austin · May 6, 2011

I've google searched this to death, but can't find any info on TRADITIONAL belly binding (aka not using the modern market ones!) I really trust and believe this will help me postpartum (if only to help everything get back to normal) but don't want one of those fancy ones. I wanna know how they do it in other countries, but can't find any info (that is in english LOL)
 
Any help? Any other mamas looking to try?

jshannyn519 · May 6, 2011

I did belly binding after my last birth, which was a c/s. I got an abdominal binder while I was still in the hospital. It's basically a giant piece of elastic that wraps all the way around my abdomen and velcros in the front. It covers me from my hips to just above the bottom of my rib cage. It was really cool because it helped me move around WAY better after the surgery and the coughing and stuff didn't hurt nearly as much when I had it on. Plus it squished everything down faster. I'll be using it again after this birth regardless of how baby comes out of me. You can buy the abdominal binders at any drug store for about $15 or get one for "free" if you're doing a hospital birth.
 
I know nothing about traditional belly binding methods. I would guess that you would just wrap some fabric around you and tie it off.

Max'sMama · May 6, 2011

I am curious too! I have one of the velcro binders and it doesn't work, I have too short a waist, as it literally goes from the bottom of my pubic bone and cuts into the bottom of my (small) breasts. 
 
Hopefully someone will have some awesome suggestions!

girlspn · May 6, 2011

Well I'm Chinese and while I don't know much about the traditional way of belly binding, it's something the ladies in my family have always done. I remember seeing my mother using one for months after the birth of my baby sister 20 years ago. Back then she already used a belly binder that that looks like the ones being sold everywhere, except hers had hooks and now they use velcro. I'm expecting my first so I have no experience yet, but I was told to bind immediately after baby is born (or wait 3 days after c-section), and wear it full-time the first month, and then switch over to something that looks like a body suit (don;t know the right term for it!) that covers from the abdomen to half the thighs. It's supposed to hold everything in place. This is to be worn during the daytime, and then the belly binder at night, for 6 months. I was also told that if you wait longer after the delivery to bind, the effects are different, not as good. There's still a lot of old wives' tales related to childbirth that still goes around here, so I don't know how much to believe it, but seeing how my mom and her sisters are in great shape after lots of kids... going to do it myself!

Mommy2Austin · May 6, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by azhie <a href="/community/forum/thread/1311637/belly-binding#post_16429382"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> Well I'm Chinese and while I don't know much about the traditional way of belly binding, it's something the ladies in my family have always done. I remember seeing my mother using one for months after the birth of my baby sister 20 years ago. Back then she already used a belly binder that that looks like the ones being sold everywhere, except hers had hooks and now they use velcro. I'm expecting my first so I have no experience yet, but I was told to bind immediately after baby is born (or wait 3 days after c-section), and wear it full-time the first month, and then switch over to something that looks like a body suit (don;t know the right term for it!) that covers from the abdomen to half the thighs. It's supposed to hold everything in place. This is to be worn during the daytime, and then the belly binder at night, for 6 months. I was also told that if you wait longer after the delivery to bind, the effects are different, not as good. There's still a lot of old wives' tales related to childbirth that still goes around here, so I don't know how much to believe it, but seeing how my mom and her sisters are in great shape after lots of kids... going to do it myself!
 
 
</div>
</div>
 I really appreciate the input! It's interesting to hear the time lines to. I suppose they meant something like <a href="www.herroom.com/miraclesuit-2709-wonder-edge-hi-waist-long-leg-slimmer.shtml">this</a> for the daytime after the first month.
 
I guess I just don't want to pay the price for the on the market binders/shapers, but can't seem to find a pattern to make one myself.

redeyedvireo · May 6, 2011

This is a whole list of ways to keep the mom warm after birth, including instructions and photos for traditional belly binding. I'm planning on trying it this time, using a wrap carrier and some diaper pins. It looks really comfortable! 
 
<a href="http://rhythmofthehome.com/archives/autumn-2010/mother-roasting/" target="_blank">http://rhythmofthehome.com/archives/autumn-2010/mother-roasting/</a>

GoBecGo · May 6, 2011

DDCC.
 
I was in last year's June group

I bought cheapo "long line control pants" which went from under bust and a cheapo "control vest" which went down to mid-hips. I used the pants most days (over regular underwear!) for the first few weeks and though they were hard to get on (couldn't have done it after a cs!) and off they really helped. I still wear the vest now sometimes when i don't want a bra on but need support (i've got 34J's!). I know it's not "traditional" - i did try winding fabric but i'm curvy, tall and shortwaisted, so it just bunched up around my middle in a most annoying fashion!

Mommy2Austin · May 6, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by GoBecGo <a href="/community/forum/thread/1311637/belly-binding#post_16429709"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> DDCC.
 
I was in last year's June group

I bought cheapo "long line control pants" which went from under bust and a cheapo "control vest" which went down to mid-hips. I used the pants most days (over regular underwear!) for the first few weeks and though they were hard to get on (couldn't have done it after a cs!) and off they really helped. I still wear the vest now sometimes when i don't want a bra on but need support (i've got 34J's!). I know it's not "traditional" - i did try winding fabric but i'm curvy, tall and shortwaisted, so it just bunched up around my middle in a most annoying fashion!
</div>
</div>
 
 
If I had the money I'd probably buy one of those control vest! They look comfy! 

 
 <div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by redeyedvireo <a href="/community/forum/thread/1311637/belly-binding#post_16429695"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> This is a whole list of ways to keep the mom warm after birth, including instructions and photos for traditional belly binding. I'm planning on trying it this time, using a wrap carrier and some diaper pins. It looks really comfortable! 
 
<a href="http://rhythmofthehome.com/archives/autumn-2010/mother-roasting/" target="_blank">http://rhythmofthehome.com/archives/autumn-2010/mother-roasting/</a>
</div>
</div>
 That's what I'm looking for

GoBecGo · May 6, 2011

Seriously, my control vest was from Primark (do you have Primark?) and it was 6GBP. The pants, same place, were 5GBP.

Mommy2Austin · May 6, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by GoBecGo <a href="/community/forum/thread/1311637/belly-binding#post_16429747"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> Seriously, my control vest was from Primark (do you have Primark?) and it was 6GBP. The pants, same place, were 5GBP.
</div>
</div>
 
It doesn't appear so. I will definitely keep my eye out though

Bald_Bull's_Mama · May 6, 2011

I'm planning on getting this one from Amazon. $12 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=motheringhud-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FThree-Panel-Elastic-Abdominal-Binder-Trimmer%2Fdp%2FB003330966%2Fref%3Dsr_1_4%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1304698737%26sr%3D8-4" rel="norewrite" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Three-Panel-Elastic-Abdominal-Binder-Trimmer/dp/B003330966/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1304698737&sr=8-4</a>

MaryElizabeth · May 6, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Bald_Bull's_Mama <a href="/community/forum/thread/1311637/belly-binding#post_16430168"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> I'm planning on getting this one from Amazon. $12 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=motheringhud-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FThree-Panel-Elastic-Abdominal-Binder-Trimmer%2Fdp%2FB003330966%2Fref%3Dsr_1_4%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1304698737%26sr%3D8-4" rel="norewrite" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Three-Panel-Elastic-Abdominal-Binder-Trimmer/dp/B003330966/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1304698737&sr=8-4</a> 
</div>
</div>
 That thing looks legit! I may have to order that one for right after birth!

cuddlemama0507 · May 6, 2011

I'm so glad you started this thread. I've been interested in trying the binding thing this time around. Thanks for the info, ladies.

littleteapot · May 6, 2011

I just bought one on Amazon for about $17. I can't afford the super nice ones that cost upwards of $60 and then some... but I felt a LOT of relief from my 'girdle underwear' that I wore following my last two births so I really want to try this.

jshannyn519 · May 7, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Bald_Bull's_Mama <a href="/community/forum/thread/1311637/belly-binding#post_16430168"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> I'm planning on getting this one from Amazon. $12 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=motheringhud-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FThree-Panel-Elastic-Abdominal-Binder-Trimmer%2Fdp%2FB003330966%2Fref%3Dsr_1_4%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1304698737%26sr%3D8-4" rel="norewrite" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Three-Panel-Elastic-Abdominal-Binder-Trimmer/dp/B003330966/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1304698737&sr=8-4</a> 
</div>
</div>
 
That's pretty much exactly the one that I got in the hospital after my c/s. It was great!

Beauchamp · May 8, 2011

I bought this one from Amazon. <a class="bbcode_url" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=motheringhud-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FGabrialla-Breathable-Elastic-Abdominal-Binder%2Fdp%2FB000WFT3II%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dhpc%26qid%3D1304824792%26sr%3D1-1" target="_blank">Gabrialla Breathable Elastic Abdominal Binder for women</a> I didn't want to spend a ton on something that might be uncomfortable or not work, and this one feels kind of middle of the road to me, in terms of price. Hopefully it works great, we'll see, I guess. <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/smile.gif">

springbride · May 8, 2011

I didn't do anything after DD is born, and want to this time. These are some great suggestions for what to buy. How soon after the birth would you start using it? 
<div id="user_myEventWatcherDiv" style="display:none;"> </div>

Mommy2Austin · May 8, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by springbride <a href="/community/forum/thread/1311637/belly-binding#post_16433171"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> I didn't do anything after DD is born, and want to this time. These are some great suggestions for what to buy. How soon after the birth would you start using it? 
<div id="user_myEventWatcherDiv" style="display:none;"> </div>
</div>
</div>
 
From what I read, immediately after a vaginal birth and a few days after a c-section, although from what I hear the hospital tends to give people one after the c-section anyway? It just depends on your hospital I guess.

BHappy · May 8, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by redeyedvireo <a href="/community/forum/thread/1311637/belly-binding#post_16429695"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> This is a whole list of ways to keep the mom warm after birth, including instructions and photos for traditional belly binding. I'm planning on trying it this time, using a wrap carrier and some diaper pins. It looks really comfortable! 
 
<a href="http://rhythmofthehome.com/archives/autumn-2010/mother-roasting/" target="_blank">http://rhythmofthehome.com/archives/autumn-2010/mother-roasting/</a>
</div>
</div>
 <img alt="stillheart.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/stillheart.gif"> this!

Mamatoabunch · May 8, 2011

I had intended to belly bind w/ a sheet after Finnian's birth, but didn't want to after he was born. At 2 days I did though wear tight tummy control, w/ heavy tummy control all over. They are boy shorts type and worked wonderful. I wore them for 6-8 weeks. I plan on doing the same this time. I was mostly tuned up by belly binding w/ sheets, fabric and those velcro things b/c I thought they would not be as comfortable, ride up or down and not practical under some clothing.

Belly Binding

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered

Registered