>Reviews–Finally– Postpartum Belly Binding

>(SEE BELOW FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS REVIEW)

My sweet baby girl is now 8 weeks old. I am now at a place where I can provide some feedback regarding my postpartum belly binding products.

I purchased two belly binding products and the Hipslimmer

The first product I tried was the Flex-Support Postpartum Binder 8 inch size. I used it for the first time right after my baby was born. I honestly don’t think I could have made it up the stairs of my house without it. My first complaint at that time was that I didn’t order the right size, 8 inches barely covered my belly. Also because of this when wearing it under clothing my stomach looked really bad, pooching out on top or on bottom. However, I really needed the support and it provided that. As my tummy got smaller the 8 inch size seemed fine, but I did notice it would roll and slide up.  I started wearing it primarily in bed because I started having back pain when I slept, it really helped with that. I was a bit self-conscious wearing it in public because you see it under your clothes, so I wore/wear it a lot when I go on walks with the baby in the Ergo or ring sling.  The website shows a picture of someone’s “actual results”… I honestly find that picture truly hard to believe, though it is what convinced me to get the product. My results were not that. I still look like I’m about 5 months pregnant, however I did birth a 10 lb baby and I understand it may take awhile to get my stomach back to a more reasonable size. Also one more positive for me was that I can easily breast feed while wearing it which was a one of my concerns prior to buying any of the products.

Over all I give this product a B-, I’d recommend to friends but only because I don’t think there is much better on the market. It is way more comfortable than the other product I bought, it accommodates a large array of sizes, and it is priced nicely at $35.

Okay so here is the review most people come looking for. The Belly Bandit. In a word, NO. At least not for me, especially compared to the soft and stretchy feeling of the “Flex Support” discussed above. The Original Belly Bandit was stiff. Maybe it is worth the upgrade to the bamboo one, I just don’t know. Plus I had sizing issues, could have been my error. I measured my waist and bought the bandit size that worked with my waist size.  Well it fit around my belly, but if I wanted to wear it lower around my lower abdomen where my pooch is the biggest right now it barely reaches and because the band is really inflexible I could not get it comfortable. For that reason I only wore it a few times  (even when my belly got smaller and the fit was better) and could only wear it standing up. I cannot comment on the other complaints people have about it (that it rolls and that you have to buy multiple sizes). I could see that there is a very small amount of velcro for adjustment and postpartum belly’s change so much that I could see it barely fitting one week and too big the next week.

My overall review is a C-, because I do take ownership for the fact that the fit issues could have been user error vs. the products fault, however I wasn’t impressed enough with the other downfalls that I didn’t send it back for a bigger size (and after about two weeks I would have needed the smaller size again).

Awww the Hipslimmer. I had so much promise for this one. I can’t tell how badly I wanted the product to be completely awesome. To be honest I can see how this can work. The claims the website makes seem totally legit. The problem it is so uncomfortable to wear. I could not sit down with it on, let alone sleep in it, especially when I am getting up frequently to nurse a baby. I loved cinching it up around my hips, it was so empowering to be able to tie it tighter and tighter each time I used it, but unless I wore it while cooking it couldn’t really wear it. Where it lays on the upper thighs make it hard to bend over and when you sit down with it on it digs into your legs.  And there was no way I would wear it in public, not even to walk the dog. It is much bulkier than the picture makes it look.

My overall review of this is a D. It has so much potential but not in least user friendly. Hipslimmer you break my heart.

UPDATE 3/06/2011

Baby Girl is now 17 months old. Since I originally posted I have learned a lot more about the benefits of belly binding AND I have a new product to recommend. I recently had surgery that among many other things corrected my separated stomach muscles. For some of us lucky women, when we are pregnant our muscles in our stomach separate so far that only surgery will fix it. I actually had the surgery for another reason, but my doctor corrected my ab muscles while she was in there. Belly binding IMO is essential in those early day/weeks/months after child birth. ESPECIALLY when wearing your baby (or older child),  lifting the car seat or doing more active exercises. The importance of strengthening your pelvic floor is crucial, but while you are working on that, supporting yourself is a must. Belly binding, doesn’t need to be an every day all day thing, and it doesn’t need to ONLY happen right after child birth. 

New product recommended by my physical therapist (who specializes in pelvic floor strengthening), that I have been using for the past two months. It is called the Better Binder. The beauty of this for postpartum is that can be used in pregnancy as well (technically it is a pregnancy support system). 

First of all I am still nursing my baby and something that can be used while nursing (and be comfortable was high on my list).  Also something easy and hide under clothing well is also a must. This product meets all those needs. It isn’t cheap, but they have excellent customer service and out of everything I have tried it is by far the best. 

Price: 49.95  or  $44.95 on Amazon 

I actually bought one from both Amazon and the Core Products site, both are good (I had a sizing issue again– it’s hard being in between sizes)

 

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