Tummy Binders Post Pregnancy To Lose Belly Fat – Do They Work?

Every mom faces a question; how to get a flat stomach post baby. The jelly belly tummy becomes a major concern for every new mom.

Belly binding or tummy binding is the first step to have a flat tummy whether you had a c -section delivery or vaginal birth. In this post we shall discuss everything about tummy binders post-delivery.

A to Z of tummy binders you ought to know:

Giving birth is an amazing achievement and every mom responds in her own way. Our body has spent months nurturing and growing baby, having baby changes the body.

• Why tummy in women bulges out even after baby birth?

You may be surprised by the way your tummy looks like, as if you are still pregnant. It takes time for your body and especially your tummy, to fully recover from pregnancy.

As your baby grew during pregnancy, your abdominal muscles are stretched to make room for your baby and to prepare for delivery.

• What is tummy binding?

This is exactly the question which I asked myself just 2 years back when I gave birth to a cute baby boy.

Being pregnant for the first time I wasn’t even aware that such a thing ever existed. But then I was made aware that you have to bind it if you don’t want your tummy to come out.

Belly band, maternity band or cloth wrap for pregnancy is one of the most essential requisites for a new mom.

• Why you need to bind your tummy post baby birth or delivery?

During pregnancy and birth the body opens up so much, making room for baby. During this phase, the tummy gets bigger. After delivery, binding helps so that the belly skin does not fall down.

Traditional belly binding serves to giving support to the vertical abdominal muscles and organs, which have undergone much physical change during pregnancy and birth.

• Can the tummy be reduced post baby?

New mums in particular tend to be concerned about how to lose the stomach fat post pregnancy. It will take time. A combination of exercises and diet will help to re-tone your stomach muscles.

If you’re eating a healthy diet, engaging in regular activity and use a tummy binder/ belly binder, you can get your pre pregnancy body back pretty much easily.

• What is traditional method of tummy binding?

During pregnancy the uterus is enlarged and the abdominal wall stretched or lengthened. This will normalize but it takes some time.

Traditional method of belly wrapping, belly binding or tummy binding helps to reduce flabby tummy after pregnancy. One of the most common traditional belly binding is the ‘cloth binding technique’ often used for post pregnancy.

• What is cloth binding?

Cloth binding promises to shrink the belly fat. Cloth wrapping to bind the belly is practiced which helps in blood flow and reducing the belly fat.

In cloth binding, a cotton sari or long cloth is used to wrap the belly and abdomen side in such a way that it helps to tighten the abdomen muscles. This cloth wrapping is continued everyday post bath for a few hours, to prevent the tummy bulge and help uterus get back in shape.

Cloth binding help moms feel more comfortable in certain positions, such as holding the baby while nursing. The binding helps to provide support when bending or walking.

• What are the advantages of cloth binding? 

# Gives support to the womb after birth

# Speeds up the healing process

# Helps to reduce common back pains and shoulder pains associated with nursing by improving posture

# Helps to tone abdominal muscles

# Excellent support after surgical birth

# Provides comfort

# Makes your tummy skin tight

# Helps to support your back as you balance your post-pregnancy weight

• How long you need to use the tummy binders on a daily basis?

It takes approximately 6 weeks for your uterus to shrink back to its normal size. An abdominal binder however can speed this process along.

Normally binders can be worn the entire day or it’s up to us the way in which we feel comfortable. Mostly the binders are used for 4-6 weeks after pregnancy.

You can wear an abdominal binder as soon as or within one week for vaginal birth. In case of C section delivery, it is advised to use the binder when the surgery stitch is healed.

Doctors advise to begin tummy binding 2-4 days after vaginal delivery and usually at 6 weeks after a surgical birth(C section).

• Reducing tummy after C section:

During C section, the stomach muscles/abdominal are cut through to deliver the baby. A few weeks of recovery are necessary to allow the stitches from the surgery to heal.

As for C section anything that requires abdominal muscles is terrifying such as sneezing, coughing, laughing, getting up and out of the bed it hurts so bad. Two big things that concern C-Section moms post pregnancy are pain relief and getting tummy back in shape.

Abdominal binders or tummy wraps offer abdominal support for C-Section by compressing the abdominal tissues to reduce pain, shrink swelling and help you get your shape back sooner.

Finding the right abdominal support after C-Section surgery will reduce your pain, increase your energy and help you feel better.

Apart from the tummy binders fitness program and healthy eating also help in toning stomach muscles. Consultation with the doctor before beginning an exercise program is a must.

Generally after 6 weeks of surgery, it is advisable to begin abdominal exercise to give your body time to heal from the surgery.

My experience of using tummy binders:

We had a maalishwaali or maushi for my post natal care which included tummy binding and body massage. This post pregnancy massage is believed to strengthen the new mother and help her recover.

I used to tie my tummy with cotton sari after bath and massage for 1 month for a couple of hours. It had helped me a lot to reduce pregnancy belly. And yes I can say for sure that my stomach has tightened a bit.

I myself have experienced the benefits of tummy binder though I had a c section delivery. I guess many moms reading this post will relate to me.

• Are there any other belly fat loss tips?

There are 3 sure shot ways to reduce the belly fat.

Breastfeed: Breastfeeding helps to lose weight after pregnancy, it helps to burn calories. Breastfeeding causes your uterus to go back to its normal size, which makes your tummy appear smaller.

Eat right foods: Eating the right foods will definitely help to lose weight, as well as stomach fat. Processed foods and junk foods will cause gain fat around stomach. Include fruits, veggies and grains in your diet. These foods provide you with lots of nutrients, which will make you healthier and lose baby weight.

Exercise your whole body: Exercise not only helps to reduce belly fat but overall development of the body.  Check with your doctor before engaging in any workout program after giving birth.

Walking is one of the simplest ways to ease into a fitness routine after giving birth; it can do wonders to your body.

If you are looking to reduce the tummy fat post baby, you can also read my weight loss journey and weight loss post C section.

Summary:

Belly binders or tummy binders helps in bringing the abdominal muscles together. It is something that can only help you and never hurt you. Choose the belly binder that suits you and use it to achieve full benefits.

Further reading:

• How lemon water can help you in weight loss?
• Aiswarya Rai’s inspiring weight loss journey post baby
• How Mandira Bedi lost 22 kgs post baby?
• Fitness secrets of Tara Sharma
• Shilpa Shetty’s weight loss journey in terms of diet, fitness and exercise

Hope you liked my post on belly binding and its benefits.

Are you witnessing the same issues with your bulgy jelly belly? Share with me the tummy binding methods you used and whether it was effective or not.

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