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. laughing

What Exactly Is Postpartum Belly Wrapping?

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.

Why It’s Important After Birth

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. 

Benefits of Postpartum Belly Wrapping

In addition to gently compressing the torso and guiding the organs back to their pre-pregnancy condition, belly wrapping also aids postpartum recovery by:

 

  • helping repair Diastasis Recti 
  • helping support and close the pelvis and hips
  • adding additional warmth to belly and kidneys
  • supporting the abdomen and lower back
  • helping maintain good posture when breastfeeding
  • helping you establish a daily self-care routine 
  • can signify a closure to your pregnancy process and birth

Types of Belly Wraps

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.

Modern Wraps & Girdles

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 GarmentTirain 3 in 1 Girdle, Hip Mall 3 in 1 Girdle and Chongerfei 3 in 1 Wrap.

Traditional Wraps

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.

How To Make Your Postpartum Belly Wrap

  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!

How To Wear Your Postpartum Belly Wrap

This postpartum belly wrap is meant to be worn 10-12 hours a day during your 6 week postpartum window. For mothers who birthed by C-section, contact your doctor before wearing a belly wrap.

 

Postpartum Belly Wrapping Instructions

  1. Start with one end of the cloth and pin it to your right hip with your hand. Wrap around your hip 1 X.
  2. Bring the wrap up to the bottom of your left rib cage and wrap around your back.
  3. Bring the wrap down to your right hip and wrap it around your hips.
  4. Wrap one time around your tummy.
  5. Start the process again until you run out of fabric.
  6. Tuck in the end of the fabric into the wrap itself. Alternately, you can pin it, if that feels more secure.

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.

postpartum cookbook

Mama's Menu: Ayurvedic Recipes For Postpartum Healing

Based on the principles of Ayurveda, Mama's Menu will guide you step-by-step through each phase of your postpartum recovery with carefully curated recipes for optimal rejuvenation and digestible breast milk. Ensure your healthy recovery and get your copy TODAY!

23 Comments

  1. Tonnae

    Hi Ameya, I’m looking into the belly wrapping for my daughter-in-law. I’m just wondering what the best way to do this is if you’re nursing. Can you wrap the cloth under your clothes? All the pictures I see have the wrap over the clothes, which would be inconvenient when you need to nurse. Thanks! 🙂

    Reply
    • Ameya

      Yes, you can totally wrap your belly under your clothes. Not a problem at all.

      Reply
  2. Kierstin

    Can you be more specific about the dimensions of the fabric? How long and wide should each band be? I don’t know if it’s my baby brain or my current medical state (bronchitis) but I’m ready to go to the store to make this right now and I want it to be right, it’s just not making sense to me.

    Reply
    • Ameya

      The dimensions are 15 feet by 10 inches. You need just one strip, but the cloth you buy at the craft store will be wide enough for 5 strips. I would recommend the cotton knit fabric over the cotton muslin because because of the stretch. More comfort and flexibility.

      Reply
      • KayLynn

        So what are the dimensions of each individual strip when you say you have enough for 5 strips?

        Reply
        • Ameya

          10” X 15’

          Reply
  3. Siobhan

    How long should you wear the wrap at a time before giving your belly a break?

    Reply
    • Ameya

      You can wear it as much as is comfortable. A lot of mamas wear it during the day and take it off when sleeping.

      Reply
  4. Hamsa

    Hi, I had C sec, it’s been 3months, can I wear wrap now or it’s late

    Reply
    • Ameya

      It’s not too late. I’m sure you will gain some benefit from it. Better late than never:)

      Reply
  5. Fatima

    Hi I’m 4 months post partum, do you think I can still wear the wrap? Thanks

    Reply
    • Ameya

      Absolutely.

      Reply
  6. miriam

    How tight should the wrap be? I want to support my organs, but i don’t want the wrap to cause atrophying of my core muscles which heard can happen with the store bought ones
    thanks

    Reply
    • Ameya

      If you use a knit cotton fabric, than there is give and take. Just tie it until you feel secure and supported. Like a nice hug.

      Reply
  7. Sarah

    Greetings Ameya! ♡
    I am around 4 weeks postpartum and having difficulty with my uterus prolapsing, im wondering is this would be okay for me to use/beneficial to use?

    Reply
    • Ameya

      If you already are experiencing uterine prolapse, I would consult with a doctor first. Belly binding can help prevent uterine prolapse, but if you are already experiencing it, I would use caution.

      Reply
  8. Alyssa Welch

    Hi! I am wondering if a baby wrap (solly baby brand) would work for postpartum belly binding?

    Reply
    • Ameya

      I can’t say for sure, but it should be around 15 feet in length. If you are planning to carry your baby with it, than you should for sure get a separate belly wrap, so you can use it regularly.

      Reply
  9. Meagan Maxwell

    Hello! I am 3 weeks postpartum today. Would it still be helpful to belly band if I started tomorrow??

    Reply
    • Ameya

      Yes! It’s not too late at all.

      Reply
  10. Meagan

    Do you have an instructional video 9n how to wrap?

    Reply
    • Ameya

      Hi Meagan,
      I do as a part of my online recovery program Fully Healed Mama. Register Here to learn more on how to fully heal from birth.

      Reply
      • Sabbi

        Hi how long should I wait to belly binding after c section

        Reply

I invite your questions and comments

Postpartum Care: Mom’s Ultimate Guide

Postpartum care is of paramount importance in upholding your health and vitality as a new mother. How many postpartum moms do you know that have struggled with exhaustion, insomnia or postpartum depression and consequently been miserable during such a special time?

Mother’s Massage

Let me be clear right from the start. Mother’s massage is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Please take a moment to let that sink in. The birth and postpartum is not only about the baby, it is just as much about you.

Your Postpartum Care Plan: It’s Time to Create!

Creating your postpartum care plan is one of the most important steps you can do to prepare for your baby’s arrival. One thing I see time and time again, is parents who do everything “right” to prepare for the birth, only to realize too late that it isn’t over once the baby is born.

Postpartum Diet: The Ultimate Ayurvedic Guide

The single most important step you can take to have a successful postpartum recovery, is to follow a Ayurvedic postpartum diet. During this very delicate period of postpartum transition, it is more important than ever to eat healthy.

Simple Lactation Tea For Quality Breastmilk

This herbal tea should be a staple in every mother’s postpartum diet. Don’t let its simplicity fool you. Fennel and fenugreek, spices commonly found in kitchens throughout the world, have wonderfully healing postpartum properties.

Hot Milk Tonic Chai For Healthy Mamas

Milk is a complete food gifted by Mother Nature to nurture life. It is deeply nourishing when used appropriately, and can be a strong medicine for postpartum nursing mothers. Milk is the most rejuvenative food according to Ayurveda, and has the ability to nourish your deepest tissue layers quicker than any other food.

Ghee: A Postpartum Mother’s Best Friend

Ghee is the most important food you can eat on a daily basis to ensure strong postpartum rejuvenation. Also known as clarified butter, ghee is a pure oil made from unsalted butter. Sweet cooling and digestive, it is as delicious as it is medicinal.

Kitchari ~ The Vegetarian Chicken Soup

Yes, there is a food out there that rivals chicken soup’s ability to heal the body and soothe the soul. This fabulously nourishing vegetarian stew is called kitchari.

Not only does it give strength and vitality, it improves digestion and assimilation, as well as being superbly grounding and comforting. It is also an easily digestible complete protein

Rice Porridge: #1 Must-Have Recipe After Birth

Rice porridge, also known as rice congee throughout Asia, is the #1 dish to eat the first few days after birth. Traditionally used in both Chinese medicine as well as Ayurveda, this simple dish contains all the qualities necessary to jump start your postpartum recovery.

Postpartum Recovery: An Interview On Ayurvedic Postpartum Care

Alexandra Latten, a Newborn Care Specialist, saw firsthand the astonishing rejuvenative effects Ayurvedic postpartum care had on new mamas. During her recent Online Summit for first-time parents, she interviewed me on the ins and outs