The 411 on Postpartum Belly Binding
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Placenta Encapsulation, Mother Blessings, Postpartum Belly Binding?
There are so many birth-related traditions that have been performed throughout the years that are known to help with postpartum recovery. You may have seen my blog a few years ago on Postpartum Belly Binding, but because it is such a popular topic, I figured I’d revisit it this month.
If you are currently pregnant, or recently had a baby, you’ve probably heard the phrase “bouncing back”. While I am not an advocate for focusing on “getting your body back, I understand your desire to feel like yourself again. Social media and celebrities often set the bar for when you should be back at your pre-pregnancy weight and shape. But, they never remember to reiterate that your body took 40ish weeks to get to where it is, in addition to doing a pretty amazing thing (growing a human), so give yourself some grace on “getting your body back”.
Cultural Significance of Bengkung Belly Binding
Before we dive into another culture’s tradition, it is only right to address the cultural significance behind Bengkung Belly Binding. You may have heard of the Malaysian tradition of wrapping the abdominal area after childbirth. This traditional practice has mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical benefits that can assist with postpartum recovery and healing. This is a time-tested way to journey back towards your pre-baby body, while also making sure you are healing naturally and comfortably.
Because I don’t believe in cultural appropriation, we will refer to the American practice as Postpartum Belly Binding, since it isn’t performed like the Malaysian tradition all the time.
Many people ask if postpartum belly binding is the same as waist training.
It depends on who you ask, but my answer is no. Using an extremely tight compression corset in the days, weeks, or even months following childbirth doesn’t allow for your body to heal naturally and comfortably. Postpartum belly binding is a gentle wrapping process you can utilize for the first 40 days postpartum to guide your body back to how you want it to look, and more importantly and feel. Postpartum belly binds provide benefits that waist trainers do not: gentle compression, gentle fit, and comfortable material.
What Are the Benefits of Postpartum Belly Binding?
-Helps your uterus return to pre-pregnancy size, assisting with postpartum healing and minimizing bleeding
-Helps to heal abdominal separation from childbirth
-Alleviates back, hip, and pelvic pain
-Increase body image and positive self-esteem
-Provides a routine and ritual, which can be significant to postpartum mental health
-Stabilizes loose ligaments from the relaxin hormone in childbirth
-Provides physical support during breastfeeding sessions
-Minimizes water, air, and fat in tissue in the abdominal and pelvic regions
-Allows organs to slowly return to their pre-pregnancy position, promoting healing and recovery
How It’s Done
Birthing people are wrapped as soon after birth as possible (day 5 after a vaginal birth, or once a cesarean incision has healed if there was a surgical birth). Postpartum belly binding uses a long strip of cloth to wrap around the abdomen from the hips to the ribcage.
It is recommended to wear the wrap 8-12 hours per day for approximately 6 weeks postpartum. Beginning postpartum belly binding beyond 6 weeks postpartum is much less effective.
Postpartum Belly Binding in Raleigh
Briana Smith, Birth and Beyond’s owner, postpartum doula and professional belly binder formerly provided this service to birth clients and postpartum clients. Since this service has been discontinued in 2022, I wanted to leave you with the appropriate local resources for postpartum belly binding:
Happy Binding!