Postpartum Belly Wraps. Are They Helpful?

Postpartum belly wraps are all the rage these days and some companies are making big claims about their benefits. Let’s clarify some things about what they can and cannot do. 

A postpartum belly wrap CAN be helpful to wear in the first few weeks postpartum, especially if you have had a c-section. The purpose of this wrap is to support your core and protect your low back in those early weeks. Immediately after having a baby, you are required to lift and carry that baby (and often all of their gear)while your abdominals are still weak from months of being stretched out and potentially being cut. They need time to heal and a belly wrap can help provide support during that time. 

They should NOT be worn like a waist trainer or corset. You should be able to breathe into your belly comfortably while wearing it. Worn too tight, they can create too much downward pressure and be harmful to your pelvic floor 

Here are a few things postpartum belly wraps CANNOT do:
-They cannot heal a Diastasis Recti or “close the gap.”
-They cannot make your uterus shrink faster. This occurs based on time and hormones. 
-They cannot make your abdominals stronger, and if worn too long they may hinder that progress.

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