Do postnatal belly wraps really work? The answer  is YES, a postnatal belly wrap helps a woman not only to reshape her stomach, but also her body after pregnancy.

They are especially more effective when worn within a day or two after giving birth, followed by a healthy postpartum diet.

Regaining their pre-pregnancy body shape and getting a flat tummy is a major concern for most mothers. And although belly binding is an old culture, it is still widely practised because it works. Many Nigerian women also use old wrappers to tie their tummies. This may be a cheaper and more cost effective option to the post part wrap.

The postpartum tummy wrap supports the abdomen area, hold in the flabby skin and fat around the tummy so it doesn’t hang down, thereby relieving the skin tissue downward stress.

Also, it works like a compression garment, supporting the “injured” area thus allowing blood to circulate freely and also encourage the release of retained water and air faster (your post-baby body is full of water and air which aren’t needed after you give birth).

A doctor, Dr. Nor, cautions women in his article “A good belly wrap”, in the article, he warns that “Mother’s need to be aware that the shapeware market has been flooded with companies selling belly wraps, abdominal binders, body shapers, and girdles that are conveniently labeled as“postpartum products”.

We are all fans of shapewear and it’s an excellent way to smooth and slim your body for a specific outfit, especially for a special event; however, shapeware is not an appropriate support for a post-baby body.”

And this could only mean that you should not make the mistake of confusing body shapers with postpartum wrap for they are not the same,

Furthermore, during pregnancy, musculoskeletal changes are encouraged by hormone secretions and the continuous expansion of the uterus. Some of the changes that occur include:

• Pelvic floor relaxation

• Spine and posture realignment

• Abdominal wall expansion and abdominal wall separation (Diastasis recti)

During this postnatal period, you might be feeling back pain, a post-natal wrap helps in supporting your back, relieving some of the pain. Also, the strain you might be feeling in lifting and carrying your baby is reduced when you wear postpartum wraps.

To see the results on time, start wearing it within the 24 hours after you give birth. Wear it continuously for 40 days or more if you feel you haven’t gotten your pre-baby shape back.

Some producers are marketing their shapewares as postpartum wraps yet they are not the same, so how do you get the appropriate postpartum belly binders for yourself?

1. Go for the design that covers the area from under your breast to just the buttocks (so you can use the toilet easily) they provides the best support.

Note that: Do not buy a postpartum wrap that only supports the tummy area, which means only one area of the of the body will be healed. Buy a longer design which takes into account the other organs of the body that need temporary support as they shrink and become restored.

2. Preferably, buy one with unbleached cotton material so that rashes doesn’t develop. The material is important.

3. Finally, wear your postpartum wrap under loose clothes and tie it as tightly as possible NOT too tightly though.  As it will be worn for a minimum of 12 hours per day you don’t want to cut off blood circulation or cause yourself discomfort. If you want a fast result, wear it for 24 hours, only taking it off for bathing.