Ready to learn one of the best self-care practices to heal your womb after birth? Postpartum belly wrapping is an essential practice for mamas who want a speedy and healthy postpartum recovery. Widely practiced by traditional cultures around the world, belly wrapping has been helping new mamas recover from childbirth for thousands of years.

Every new mama deserves a giant hug after birth. One that is both supportive and nurturing. No matter what your circumstances are, you can get this kind of hug everyday. With the self-care practice of postpartum belly wrapping, you can be assured you are getting the perfect healing hug your body needs. It may quite literally be, your main squeeze. 

Postpartum belly wrapping is the practice of compressing your abdomen for the first 40 days after birth.

Traditionally it is done with a long piece of cotton cloth, which is wrapped many times around your entire torso and hips (ultimately producing a fabulous hug!).

This secure container supports your organs in returning to their pre-pregnancy size and position, helping you heal faster and more completely.

During the later stages of my pregnancy, I was big – and pretty darn uncomfortable. I needed to pee every two seconds, my stomach felt like it was in my lung, and oh – the heartburn! I ate a pint of ice cream every day to cool it down (Yes I really did that, and no I don’t recommend it!).

Sound familiar?

These sensations are all reminders that many of our organs have had to move and stretch to accommodate our precious child growing inside of us.

Wearing a wrap that compresses your waist, will encourage those rogue organs return to their original size and position, ultimately helping you to regain your shape and hasten your postpartum recovery. 

Nowadays, there are plenty of belly binding products out there to choose from. It can be difficult to know which one is the right one for you.

The more modern style postpartum girdles can come in different sizes, have different closure systems and are sometimes not machine washable.

If you plan to go this route, it is wise to do your due diligence before your baby arrives. Make sure you buy the right size, are comfortable with the material, as well as the closure system. I recommend products that support your hips, belly and waist like the Motif Postpartum Compression Garment, Tirain 3 in 1 Girdle, Hip Mall 3 in 1 Girdle and Chongerfei 3 in 1 Wrap.

The more traditional-style of belly wrap is using a very long piece of cotton cloth, that is wrapped around the entire torso and hips, until your midsection is comfortable and secure.

Added benefits of using this traditional-style maternity sash is that it’s generally “one size fits all”, as well as being comfortable, breathable, and machine washable! The Bengkung Belly Bind is a beautiful wrap that is made in the traditional style of Malaysia and a popular product amongst natural mamas.

There is the also the option of making it yourself, which is SUPER easy.

1. Go to the fabric store and buy 15 feet of either breathable cotton muslin or quality cotton stretch knit fabric.
2. Cut it into strips 10 ” wide (possible to have this done at the craft store).
3. Voila! You now have 5 belly wraps to use for your postpartum recovery!

In my experience as a postpartum doula, most women are interested in wearing a belly wrap, but for one reason or another, it just doesn’t manifest.

For some modern mamas

• the belly binder they chose ended up being the wrong size or just wasn’t comfortable.

For some new mamas

• they didn’t realize how much they would want their belly wrapped until the baby was born.

Still other mamas

• plan to make their own, but just don’t get to the fabric store before their baby is born.

Generally, once the baby is born, all bets are off.

Because of this fact, whenever I go to a blessing way or baby shower, I ALWAYS bring the soon-to-be mama a maternity sash. It’s a simple gift but significant – and one that is often forgotten.

Please remember to include belly wrapping in your postpartum care plan and make sure that you are happy with your belly wrap before your baby arrives! This is a simple postpartum care practice that will contribute significantly to your healthy recovery after birth.