Wear a belly band to help your body heal after pregnancy. After giving birth, your abdominal muscles may stretch or even separate as a side effect of birthing strains. This separation tends to heal naturally, but many new mothers choose to wear a belly band in order to provide added pressure and comfort during recovery, and in some cases speed up the healing process.
While a belly band may provide added support, there’s no guarantee it will speed recovery or flatten your stomach postpartum. Talk to your doctor about recovery if you’re concerned about your healing process.
Some manufacturers claim that belly bands can eliminate or reverse stretch marks, but there’s no evidence of this. Stretch marks are a common and natural part of pregnancy.
Use a belly band to provide support while breastfeeding. Many belly band models offer support or coverage to the upper body when breastfeeding. This helps prevent stiffness caused by breastfeeding positions. Ensuring that your core and back are compressed with a belly band can make breastfeeding, and the accompanying uterine contractions, less painful for some mothers.
Wear a belly band to help protect C-section scars. Internal stitches from a C-section can be painful and uncomfortable, so it’s important to support the mid-section during recovery. Wearing a belly band can help provide pressure to the area, reducing pain or discomfort. It may also help encourage proper posture, which may protect the incision and promote proper healing.
Avoid wearing a belly band directly on top of an uncovered, healing C-section scar, as it may cause irritation. Protect your incision with a bandage or an added layer of clothing.
Use a maternity belt for support during pregnancy. A maternity belt is similar to a belly band, though it’s often thinner and leaves your belly exposed, providing support and pressure to the underside of your belly. Many women use maternity belts during pregnancy to relieve pressure on their back or pain in their pelvis while supporting their weight up front.
Opt for a maternity belt if you’re still pregnant, and switch to a belly band after pregnancy.