Pregnancy can be challenging for some women, and more often than not, mothers go through various unexpected body changes post-birth. It’s only natural for mothers to want to quickly get back into their pre-pregnancy body, especially to get rid of that persistent mummy pooch (a.k.a postpartum belly). Since mothers are not encouraged to do heavy exercises right after birth, a good postpartum wrap is what you need to help control that jiggly belly!
Postpartum wraps (a.k.a maternity bands/belly bands/belly wraps, or famously known as bengkung, according to Malaysian cultural practices) are intended to support the abdomen and help postpartum mothers to recover from physical discomfort.
They help put muscles in place, improve posture, promote blood circulation, correct pelvic position and can slowly prevent back pain as well as fluid accumulation.
A study conducted in 2019 found that mothers who wore a postpartum wrap after a c-section felt less pain during postpartum, compared to those who did not.
A number of women who give birth normally also say that the postpartum wrap helps make their bodies more toned and feel less like jelly.
|
Contents:
- The History of Postpartum Wrap: Why Do Women Wear It?
- Sarashi
- Postpartum Wrap
- Faja
- How Does A Postpartum Wrap Help Women Get Their Dream Body Shape?
- Choosing A Good Postpartum Wrap
- 6 Best Modern Postpartum Wrap in Malaysia
- Mama's Choice Postpartum Adjustable Corset
- Mamaway Nano Bamboo Postnatal Recovery & Support Belly Band
- Autumnz Post-Partum Abdominal Binder
- PRADO Body Shaper Waist Trimmer Postpartum Support Belt
- Lunavie Premium Postpartum Abdominal Binder
- Upspring Shrinkx Belly Postpartum Belly Wrap with Bamboo Charcoal Fiber
- Price comparison
- Slimming Tips After Childbirth
|
The History of Postpartum Wrap: Why Do Women Wear It After Childbirth?
People from many cultures around the world believe in the benefits of wearing supportive clothing such as postpartum wraps, especially after childbirth. Let’s find out some of the advantages of wearing compression garments for the abdomen after childbirth.
The traditional practice of wrapping the abdomen after childbirth is an ancient art that has long been practised in Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Technically, it is done by wrapping a very long piece of cloth around a woman’s midsection after childbirth.
[caption id="attachment_435551" align="aligncenter" width="670"]
The Sarashi[/caption]
According to history, Japanese women would spend 100 days indoors with their new born babies. During these 100 days, the women would be wrapped in blankets with their babies and are expected to do more than just eat, and breastfeed their newborns.
A Sarashi is about 13 feet long and between 8-9 inches wide, which is shorter than the typical Malaysian bengkung. Traditionally, the wrapping begins very low at the hips and ends between the belly button and the bust line. The cloth will be shortened and tightened only after the new mother’s abdomen contracts.
[caption id="attachment_435550" align="aligncenter" width="480"]
The Traditional Bengkung[/caption]
In the Malaysian tradition, new mothers would bind their tummies for 44 days after childbirth. Malaysian mothers particularly believe that the uterus is the centre of a woman’s health and it is important to take care of it at all stages of life, but especially after childbirth.
This tradition dates back centuries at the palace, where princesses used it to help them ‘rise again’ and the story quickly spread throughout the state. It is still widely practised in rural areas and is now also common among urban communities.
[caption id="attachment_435549" align="aligncenter" width="670"]
The Faja[/caption]
Faja is believed to be able to prevent air from entering the woman’s body, prevent the uterus from falling down and is also thought to help the uterus to close and shrink.
Faja is made from many types and styles of materials, but the most common ones are fabric and mixed materials namely; cotton and elastic.
Faja is usually worn for at least 2 weeks, except at night.
In Latin American cultures, the position of the uterus is at the centre of traditional birth medicine. They believe that abdominal massage after birth and belly wraps are not only beneficial to heal the muscle walls, but also really help put the “uterus" back in the right position.
How Does Postpartum Wrap Help Women Get Their Dream Body?
- Compression increases blood supply to the affected area to accelerate the healing process.
- Belly binding reduces uterine swelling with stable pressure and removes fluid.
- Belly binding provides lower back support and abdominal stability to relieve back pain.
- Belly binding is also a helpful way for mothers to wear pre-pregnancy clothing comfortably during postpartum recovery.
- Belly binding can protect the c-section area, or scars from other surgeries too.
- Supports the mother to heal faster so she can begin exercising earlier to strengthen her core and treat rectus diastasis.
- Postpartum wraps help improve the wearer’s posture and allow for deeper breathing.
Choosing A Good Postpartum Wrap
There are various options of modern postpartum wraps available in the Malaysian market, but it is recommended for mothers to get one that is effective for both normal and caesarean birth.
Today, we have postpartum wraps that come in different lengths, designs, comfort levels and price points.
If you are looking for a modern belly wrap in particular, there are certain criteria to keep in mind, such as comfort, ease of use and care, material quality, smoothness, breathability and most importantly, the effectiveness of the wrap.
How to Choose A Postpartum Wrap
Most women’s postpartum body size is approximately the same as their size at 8 months pregnant. So at about 8 months pregnant, measure the largest part of your tummy all-around your abdomen (usually at the belly button) and choose the size that fits your measurements.
Just before delivery, subtract 3 to 5 inches from the size of your abdomen. Select the appropriate wrap for that size.
6 Best Modern Postpartum Wraps in Malaysia
Browsing around for a good and comfortable postpartum wrap is indeed a challenge. Mothers would usually do extensive research on the Internet, ask friends for reviews or refer to respective sellers.
So to ease your burden and put an end to your never-ending search, we have prepared a list of the 6 best modern maternity/postpartum wraps that are available in the market.
#1 Mama's Choice Postpartum Adjustable Corset
Why is this great?
Mama's Choice Postpartum Adjustable Corset is a multi-purpose corset that is suitable to be worn during pregnancy, confinement and is even great for those with back pain.
This corset not only helps restore the body back to its original form but also works to correct the wearer’s posture. If you are looking for comfort during confinement, this is definitely IT because of its soft and comfortable material!
What we like about it:
Function:
- Trims the body at the waist and abdomen
- Can be used to treat back pain
- Helps shrink the uterus to its original size
- Can be worn as a belly band during pregnancy
Safety and comfort:
- Use of velcro material for comfort when tightening the corset
- The material is made of 65% polyester, 35% elastic fibre
- Available in customised sizes to suit each wearer
#2 Mamaway Nano Bamboo Postnatal Recovery & Support Belly Band
Why is this great?
This Mamaway belly band is not only suitable for mothers who have just given birth normally, but also for mothers who have given birth via c-section.
In fact, this belly band can be worn as early as 2 days after childbirth and is intended to provide the best comfort and healing during the postpartum recovery period. This modern band can also be worn for long periods including at night to achieve faster healing.
What we like about it:
Function:
- Reduces pain at the c-section area and does not tag on the surgery wound during movements
- Distributes weight from the spine and improves posture to reduce back pain
- Helps tighten the abdomen, including the abdominal muscles and skin
Safety and comfort:
- Made from bamboo charcoal fibre that has good ventilation
- Can be worn for long periods including at night, during sleep
- Contains infrared fibre that supports blood circulation
- Bacterial and odour-resistant
- Has an elastic handle that makes it easy to wear
#3 Autumnz Post-Partum Abdominal Binder
Why is this great?
Autumnz Post-Partum Abdominal Binder is carefully designed to help reshape the mother’s abdomen back to pre-pregnancy shape.
Recognised as a postpartum band that functions differently from traditional methods, this band intends to facilitate the recovery process after pregnancy naturally. This belly band is available in several sizes to suit each wearer.
What we like about it:
Function:
- Supports and reshapes the body after childbirth back to its original shape
- Help reduce signs of unwanted stress on the body
- Increases the skin's natural elasticity
Safety and comfort:
- Made of comfortable material, light and breathable, 80% polyester, 20% spandex
- Soft inner and outer layers that are soft on the skin
- Not visible under clothing
#4 PRADO Body Shaper Waist Trimmer Postpartum Support Belt
Why is this great?
This PRADO 3-in-1 body shaper is technically a girdle for the abdomen, waist and pelvis, that is intended to treat those parts to return to their original form after childbirth.
You can also overcome postpartum issues such as stretch marks, back pain and bloating with continuous use of this body shaper throughout your confinement period. It is easy to wear and available in a wide variety of sizes, from M to XXL!
What we like about it:
Function:
- Fulfils all your needs throughout the postpartum recovery process
- Helps postpartum women regain their body shape quickly, relieves postpartum discomfort and regain confidence
- Helps shrink the abdomen, waist and hips, prevent sagging skin, relieve back and pelvic pain
- Helps smoothen the uterine transition, reduces the effects of stretching and speeds up healing after childbirth
- Adds support while breastfeeding
Safety and comfort:
- Made of high-quality lightweight fabric, very comfortable, easy to stretch and easy to clean
- Easy to wear, just by pulling the two sides together
- Comfortable to wear for both normal and cesarean births
#5 Lunavie Premium Postpartum Abdominal Binder
Why is this great?
Lunavie Premium Postpartum Abdominal Binder is an abdominal compression band designed to help mothers get back into their pre-pregnancy bodies.
This belly binder can also be worn under clothing comfortably and seamlessly. Want to wear it all the time? No problem! This will help you slim down at the waist.
What we like about it:
Function:
- Shapes the body to go back to pre-pregnancy shape
- Supports the abdomen after both normal and cesarean childbirth
- Recommended for patients suffering from abdominal hernia
Safety and comfort:
- Not visible under clothing
- Made from high-quality breathable material
- Stretched to fit your body's natural curves
- Helps reduce back stress & prevent fat accumulation
- Durable adhesion design with strong velcro
#6 Upspring Shrinkx Belly Postpartum Belly Wrap with Bamboo Charcoal Fiber
Why is this great?
For mothers who prefer a brand that is recommended by OB/GYNs, this is one of the best options in the market.
Getting rid of the infamous mummy pooch takes time, so what could be better than a band designed based on bamboo charcoal fibre technology, that not only helps slim the waist but also supports the abdominal muscles?
The three-point compression from bamboo charcoal works on your body heat, thus increasing blood flow, reducing swelling, providing lower back support and ensuring effective recovery.
What we like about it:
Function:
- Built with triple compression bamboo fibre technology for excellent recovery
- Built-in boning for excellent lower back support
- Rapid recovery with core muscle support, reduction of swelling and better blood circulation
Safety and comfort:
- Recommended by obstetricians and gynaecologists
- Made with antibacterial material, easily adjustable and absorbs moisture
- Offers a therapeutic and safe healing process
Price Comparison
|
PRODUCT
|
SIZE
|
PRICE
|
|
Mama's Choice Postpartum Adjustable Corset
|
XXL
|
RM76.23
|
|
Mamaway Nano Bamboo Postnatal Recovery & Support Belly Band
|
S-M
|
RM350.00
|
|
Autumnz Post-Partum Abdominal Binder
|
M
|
RM47.00
|
|
PRADO Body Shaper Waist Trimmer Postpartum Support Belt
|
XXL
|
RM15.50
|
|
Lunavie Premium Postpartum Abdominal Binder
|
L
|
RM72.00
|
|
Upspring Shrinkx Belly Postpartum Belly Wrap with Bamboo Charcoal Fiber
|
L-XL
|
RM256.76
|
Disclaimer: The prices shown are based on the official websites and the official stores of the products on Shopee
Slimming Tips After Childbirth
In addition to belly binding, the confinement period is the best time for mothers to start losing weight. This is due to the strict diet and practices that mothers go through during this period that are effective to maintain an ideal weight such as:
#1 Breastfeeding
Did you know that breastfeeding can burn as much as 500 calories a day and increase a breastfeeding mother's metabolic rate?
Wow, this means that breastfeeding is not only good for babies but beneficial for mummies too! Breastfeeding helps the mother's uterus shrink faster, hence flattening the mother's abdomen much more quickly.
#2 Bertungku
Bertungku is one of the main practices during the confinement period. It usually uses heat made from nutritious herbs wrapped in cloth, to remove excess sweat and toxins in the body.
Bertungku also helps the body feel fresher and lighter, besides assisting it to get back into shape.
#3 Move A lot
Some may argue that mothers need to lie down a lot during the postpartum recovery period. However, the fact is, mothers are advised to move a lot to improve blood flow. It is a form of exercise, indeed!
Hope this helps!
Disclaimer: You are not allowed to share this article on any other website or on Facebook without providing proper credit and the original article link on theAsianparent Malaysia website
Read more: How to Minimize Stretch Marks Appearance - 6 Easy Tips You Can Try Today!
Read more: Hey Mama, Dental Care Is Important During Pregnancy - Try One Of These Pregnancy-Safe Toothpastes!
Read more: Still Have Bad Breath Even After Brushing Your Teeth? Here Are the 7 Best Mouthwashes in the Market
