When is it too late to wear a postpartum belly
Pregnancy, labour, postpartum and hormones have many effects on the body. Some women choose to use a belly wrap to support posture and help to ease some pains in the lower back. In this article, we’re answering the question, when is it too late to wear a postpartum belly wrap?
This article includes:
- What is a postpartum belly wrap?
- What does a postpartum belly wrap do?
- When is it too late to wear a postpartum belly wrap?
- When to wear postpartum belt after c-section
- How many hours should I wear postpartum belt?
- Can I wear a postpartum belt while sleeping?
- Can I wear a postpartum belly wrap while sitting?
- How to wear a belly wrap safely postpartum
What is a postpartum belly wrap?
A postpartum belly wrap is a piece of clothing that is usually worn around the torso of the body. These wraps are typically made using stretchy, elastic materials. There are different types of belly wear to be aware of.
Postpartum belly wraps usually cover the hips and up to the rib cage. In contrast, belts cover less area, from the belly to the hips. Some may also be referred to as a postpartum girdle or postpartum corset.
It’s recommended that you wear a top underneath the postpartum wrap rather than allowing it to be in direct contact with your skin. You should check for signs of skin irritation regularly and remove the belt immediately if you notice any signs.
Your body goes through so much during pregnancy, and some women can feel a little down about their weight gain. There’s no need to feel negatively towards it, you just brought a new life into the world! This is such an amazing time for you to get to know your new baby and appreciate how incredible your body is!
You should not use a postpartum body wrap for weight loss purposes. A wrap can be used to provide extra support to your upper body and core muscles after a c-section or vaginal delivery. There are many things you can do to lose any weight you wish when the time is right. Remember that the healing process takes time, as does reaching your pre-pregnancy body shape.
You’ll likely be feeling exhausted after giving birth, and your hormones will take time to settle. Some women notice signs of a hormone imbalance. For some women, the hormonal changes can cause things like postpartum carpal tunnel and postpartum knee pain. Speak to a doctor if you become concerned about any physical or mental changes after giving birth.
What does a postpartum belly wrap do?
A postpartum wrap sits close to your body. The elasticated belt can be used to draw in your body and ease some pains, such as lower back pain. During pregnancy, some women suffer from pelvic girdle pain. The symptoms may continue into postpartum as the hormone relaxin settles again.
Relaxin softens your joints and ligaments, allowing the body to stretch during pregnancy and in preparation for labour. Additionally, the type of delivery you have may impact your abdominal muscles. These wraps could help you to relax the muscles and ease pains.
There’s research to suggest that new mothers who have c-section deliveries find it easier to complete tasks while wearing a postpartum girdle wrap. This is due to the abdominal wraps covering the scar and allowing very gentle compression.
It’s a good idea to check with a healthcare provider before starting to use any postpartum belly wraps. They may offer advice that means you’d be better off without. Some women do notice benefits, but you should always ensure that postpartum girdles are not too tight.
Be aware that belly wraps are not meant to be used to help you lose weight or ease pain. If you have pain, you should seek medical advice for the best treatment.
Postpartum belly wraps could help you with:
- Pain relief
- Increasing blood circulation
- Helping you to move easier
- Supporting good posture
- Allowing core muscles to heal
- Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles
When is it too late to wear a postpartum belly wrap?
Postpartum belly wraps can provide benefits, but there is a certain time frame when they may be best to use. Some women start using the belts just a few days after giving birth. Many continue to use them for a few months after giving birth. This is likely the best time as the body is preparing to get back to normal at the fastest rate.
You should avoid wearing the belt immediately after giving birth, regardless of your birth type. It is not recommended to put pressure on your internal organs at this time, and you need to recover safely.
If you’re after four months postpartum, it may be too late to wear a postpartum belly wrap. It’s likely that you won’t experience the same level of benefit that you would have earlier in the postpartum recovery process.
If you are struggling with back pain or pain elsewhere, you should speak with your doctor. They may refer you to a physical therapist who will provide stretches and core exercises to help relieve pain.
When to wear postpartum belt after c-section
A cesarean section surgery requires lots of rest, and you should maintain a healthy diet to aid the healing process. After a c-section, you’ll likely be given a list of things that you’ll need to avoid immediately after. Usually, postpartum mothers are told to avoid things like driving and exercising for at least six weeks. This is because your abdominal muscles need time to heal.
At six weeks postpartum, you’ll be invited for a check-up. During this appointment, your doctor will assess your scar and postpartum recovery. They will decide whether you can start building up or wait a little longer.
You should always check with your doctor before using a postpartum belly band. This is even more important after you have had a c-section. The belly belt can cause irritation, such as a rash or pain, so it’s very important to seek advice.
You should avoid wearing a belly belt for at least two weeks postpartum with a cesarean delivery. You must have also spoken to your doctor first. A doctor may advise that you wait until your scar has fully healed before considering postpartum belly bands.
How many hours should I wear postpartum belt?
Postpartum belts can cause pain and discomfort when worn for long periods of time. Therefore, you should avoid wearing one for too long.
In the beginning, you could wear one for 30 minutes per day. This can be built up so that you can wear the belt for a few hours. This is much further down the line after giving birth. Speak to a healthcare provider who can offer the best advice. Do not wear the wrap for more than half a day.
If you notice signs of irritation, you should stop belly wrapping immediately. These could include pain, a feeling of pressure, rashes and itchiness. This is not good for you and should be avoided.
Can I wear a postpartum belt while sleeping?
You should avoid wearing a postpartum belly wrap while sleeping. The belt can cause too much pressure and is not recommended for long periods of time during the postpartum journey.
Can I wear a postpartum belly wrap while sitting?
You can wear a postpartum body belt while sitting. However, you may notice that the belt feels tighter when sitting down. This means you may need to adjust the belt so that you have more room to move around when sitting.
Some women decide not to use the belly wrap while sitting due to discomfort. The ideal way to wear the belt would be while standing.
How to wear a belly wrap safely postpartum
- Never wear the belly wrap while pregnant
- Do not wear the belly wrap while sleeping or exercising
- Check your body regularly for signs of irritation
- Avoid wearing the belt too tight, this is not good for you and can cause breathing difficulties. It should be used as a gentle compression garment.
- Do not use the belly wrap as a waist trainer, it is best used for posture, supporting your pelvic floor or easing postpartum pain
- Always speak to a doctor before using any belly bands
- Do not start wearing the belly wrap for at least two days after a vaginal delivery and until your doctor agrees after a c-section delivery.
- Do not wear the belly wrap for long periods of time, this is not good for you
We hope this article has been useful to you. We recommend speaking to a doctor before you start using a postpartum belly wrap, as it may not be safe for you.
There are many ways you can improve your health after giving birth, such as gently exercising and eating a balanced diet. A professional will offer advice if you ask.
Hey there, I’m Abigail!
In 2022, I graduated with a First Class Degree in Marketing and since then, I have been working as a blogger and Marketing Assistant. Before heading to university, I also achieved a BTEC in Children’s Play, Learning and Development.
I have been blogging for over four years and have covered many topics during this time. My focus has been on pregnancy, babies, sleep and baby name ideas.
I am passionate about learning new things and helping others. I hope that you find my blogs useful and informative. See you in the next article!