After I had my first c-section, the hospital provided me with a handy postpartum belly wrap to help compress my uterus and speed up my recovery. At first, I found it a bit uncomfortable, but after a few days, I got used to it. Plus, it gave me added coverage over the site of my incision.
I wore it for about a month or 2 afterward. I believe I surrendered it after my postpartum checkup. I noticed it made quite the difference. I used it again after my second c-section.
This is interesting:
Celebrities always enthused about the best postpartum belly binders, but it’s been going on for centuries. In other cultures, they’re quite common because of the benefits provided. Particularly in Asian countries as I found out first-hand.
Don’t get one because you want to keep up with Kardashians or whoever, though. There are some great benefits to getting the best waist trainer for postpartum!
Why You Should Choose the Best Postpartum Support Belt?
While we have many nicknames for these belly bands, the real name is an abdominal binder. That’s their main benefit, to offer compression as well as support for your abdominal area. It also helps ease the pain in your lower back.
Abdominal binders are especially helpful after a c-section, which is why I woke up with one around me the first time. They’ve been fine-tuned to assist with getting your post-pregnancy belly back on track and helping speed up your recovery time.
You’ll find them in different styles. Both of mine were fastened with Velcro, which was really easy to deal with and wonderfully adjustable. Others use zippers or hook and eye attachments. They come in different looks too, from belts to girdles and beyond.
So, Leslie, why do I want a top postpartum belly binder? 🤔
- You get support for your sore abdominal muscles, especially after a c-section
- It is beneficial for correcting diastasis recti (that’s when your ab muscles stay separated after you go through pregnancy
- You can reduce your back pain by wearing one
- You can also improve your posture
While it initially feels weird, it will help relieve pressure and pain near the site of your c-section incision - Swelling is reduced, and circulation is improved
However, I want you all to know that post-pregnancy belly bands don’t make your waistline shrink down. They will help you look smoother and firmer under your clothes, much like Spanx, but if you want to get back to your pre-pregnancy body, that comes in time and with exercise and eating right. I’ve talked about that in other posts, so check them out to help get back on track.
What Should I Look For When Buying Top Rated Postpartum Belly Wrap?
When you look below at my belly binder reviews, you’ll see a variety of choices. That’s because what makes me comfortable might be uncomfortable for you and vice versa. You may prefer zippers while I prefer Velcro. You may like a specific material better than I do.
As I present these, though, I’d like you to keep in mind what pertains to you when shopping for your medical-grade postpartum girdle.
How comfortable it is
The key to the best post-pregnancy girdle is that it needs to provide enough compression to be beneficial. Yet it should NOT feel like you’re being strangled to death by a boa constrictor. After all, it’s supposed to relieve your pain and discomfort, not add to it. I recommend something that is either easy to adjust or stretchy to fit perfectly into your body.
How easy it is to use
You don’t want to get something that is impossible to put on every day. Your belly wrap should be simple to put on and take off. It shouldn’t interfere with your life either.
How discreet it is
A postpartum belly wrap should look discreet. It shouldn’t leave obvious signs from the outside that you’re wearing one. Trust me, you’ll be self-conscious enough after giving birth that you don’t want to go everywhere, wondering, “Can everyone see my post-baby girdle?!?” Different options make for a more seamless appearance, which might be right up your alley if you like wearing clothes that are fitted.
Reviewing Best Postpartum Belly Binders for 2023
Before buying a postpartum corset of sorts, it helps to make sure your doctor is on board. We all have unique situations, and your doctor may advise you to look for a particular type or style over another.
Also, you should make sure to limit wearing them to 10 to 12 hours per day. After 6 to 8 weeks pass, you should be ready to surrender your postpartum wrap. That’s when I did at my doctor’s advice. Once she cleared me for exercise, she encouraged me to remove the wrap and get on my exercise regimen.
I’m providing you with 11 of the best post-pregnancy belly binders out there plus an honorable mention. They’re in no particular order, and I encourage you to choose the one that meets your specific needs.
ChongErfei 3-in-1 Postpartum Support Girdle
Best for back pain and weight loss in plus size!
ChongErfei’s best postpartum girdle comes in the option for plus size and can help you get down to size comfortably. While it looks painful, the design allows for easy adjustment through the Velcro straps, so you get a perfectly snug fit without being overly oppressive, giving you the support you need.
As you’ll notice from the design, it provides 3-in-1 support for your belly and back. There’s a belly belt that helps correct your abdominal muscles so they get into a normal position; a waist belt designed to help improve weight loss efforts while smoothing things down in the meantime, which also helps relieve back pain; and a pelvis belt that helps move you through those contractions your body makes afterward as the uterus goes back down to size.
While this postpartum girdle looks complex and restricting, it earns high marks from the mamas who have worn it. I really like that the design tackles all the problem areas to provide unified support. It’s also made with a lightweight fabric that allows air in for a comfortable fit. I had a more basic band and I love that this one tackles the dilemma of the top rolling down every time you sit. I wish I’d have had that!
Note that:
The pelvic support band also goes a step further and helps you get your hips back in place. Giving birth is so strenuous on the body, and no, it’s not your imagination that your hips look wider.
The design allows you to pull it from both sides to get just the right fit and adjust it to your level of comfort and your dimensions. There’s boning support on the back that makes it ideal for breastfeeding in those early weeks when everything hurts. Trust me, you are SO prone to slouching during this time, and that prevents you from doing so. I should also mention you can wear all 3 pieces together, or wear them separately to fit your ever-changing needs.
KeaBabies 3-in-1 Postpartum Waist Wrap
Ideal for hip pain and pelvic support!
This one may seem similar to the first item on my postpartum belly wrap review in that it is also a 3-in-1. And it’s also available for plus sizes. It’s also fashioned from a breathable material. But that’s where the similarities end.
You’ll find excellent contouring thanks to the elastic mesh, ideal for helping you tuck your tummy back in, realigning organs, and providing an instantly-slimmed appearance. While it gives back support as does the other 3-in-1 I just mentioned, it doesn’t have that boning on the back. You may find this a better option if boning tends to make you feel confined, and you’ll still get the excellent support you need.
With just a little encouragement from this soft and comfortable belly wrap, you get outstanding support that you might find less restrictive in a good way.
Gepoetry Postpartum Wrap Girdle
Amazing girdle set that lets you customize to your needs after giving birth!
Gepoetry also allows you to do the mix and match things with the pieces. You should start with the belly band, then use the waist belt, then the pelvic belt. Once you’re more recovered, you can wear them all at once.
This makes c-section recovery even more comfortable because you get that waist belt wrap that every mom really needs on the most basic level right after birth. After that, you can add on the other pieces and overlap to adjust and tighten your shape. It’s excellent for belly and back support while speeding up recovery.
The breathable material allows for a comfortable feeling while wearing it, and the boning gives strong support to the back to keep pains from keeping you down. There’s durable Velcro to hold it all in place, and the design is super easy to adjust for your specific needs.
Called one of the best postpartum waist trainers out there, I really like that you can layer the pieces to meet your needs or do without them and stick with one piece at a time. Many mamas applauded it for being like a medical-grade postpartum girdle but with better benefits and comfort.
Moolida Postpartum Belly Wrap
Best post-pregnancy belly wrap for c-section recovery!
Moolida’s belly wrap for postpartum is more ideal for c-section recovery. I’d say this one, made of medical-grade cotton to keep from irritating skin, is perfect if you didn’t gain tons of weight while pregnant and want to ease things back after your surgery.
You can, of course, wear it after natural births though the design is really thoughtful for those who have tender surgical incisions to keep them from being irritated. It pulls in and adjusts to your changing size by simply Velcroing together front and back. Wrapping around, it naturally cinches your waist to support the back, compress the abdominals, and minimize stretchmarks.
There are also two soft ribs in the back that are designed to tackle lower back pain through more rigid support while allowing you flexibility. In other words, you won’t feel like the Tinman in this thing.
TiRain 3-in-1 Postpartum Shapewear
Best for posture correction and back pain relief!
I know I’ve got a few of these 3-in-1 belly bands on here, but I think they’re a great way to tackle the plethora of pains you’ll experience after giving birth, especially after a c-section. TiRain also offers a trio of different bands you can wear together or separately, and like the others, encourages adding them on step-by-step after the birth. Start with the belly band, then the one for the waist, and then the pelvis.
The breathable material stretches enough to provide a snug fit while the Velcro holds it in place. You can adjust it to fit your changing sizes and make it in plus size too. You’ll be able to shrink back down to size while encouraging your organs and skin to go back in place. The great thing about this set is that it speeds up your healing and gives you excellent support in the front and back.
Mamas love it for the added fish-bone support in the back that makes breastfeeding after a c-section so much easier to do.
UpSpring Baby Shrinkx Belly Band
A natural choice for slimming down after baby!
If you’re more focused on your core and healing after your c-section, you may want to go with UpSpring Baby’s option. It features a unique bamboo charcoal fiber technology, which is designed to boost circulation naturally. This helps slim you down in your belly and provides waist training assistance.
You get top tummy support from this postpartum girdle in the abdominals, and it aids the shrinkage of the uterus. Swelling and bloating are reduced more quickly after your c-section too. Women designed it for women with an easy-adjust fit. Wear it under your clothing, so your skin contacts with the charcoal fiber filter to get the best results.
Plenty of mamas loves this version, which is similar to one I had in China, though if you need more back support, you may want to choose one of the other versions. This is outstanding for belly reduction and helping your c-section incision heal, though.
LODAY Seamless Postpartum Waist Trainer
Flawlessly seamless coverage across your whole belly to slim you down and tuck you in!
If you’d prefer something that has no closure and simply slides right on, choose LODAY. This seamless design slides right on to help smooth untidy areas you’re working on getting back into shape. It’s great for when you want to wear tight-fitting clothing to look your greatest with a sleek and trim figure.
While I’d recommend using other brands, in the beginning, to help draw your organs back in, if you didn’t gain much weight and have a slight pouch after baby, this is a superb choice. It’s also fantastic to use after you’ve used the more restrictive waist trainers to help you pull off perfection in your clothes.
Interestingly,
There are no buttons, zippers, snaps, or enclosures. It has 4 flexible boning strips to keep in place, so you don’t have to continually readjust it every time you sit or bend. I had something similar in China, but it was not as well-designed, and it kept needing to be adjusted.
If you have a longer torso, this postpartum wrap is ideal for you. It’s lengthy in size and covers plenty of ground to help pull your belly in and make you look slimmer while helping you to look slimmer over time.
Bellefit Corset Medical-Grade Adjustable Girdle
Best medical-grade postpartum girdle out there to correct diastasis recti!
For those of you with diastasis recti, do yourself a favor and start correcting it immediately with the Bellefit medical-grade postpartum corset. It’s ideal for mamas post-c-section because it covers you with full support at 360-degrees across your body.
The unique eye hook design in the front and down in the crotch area might make getting dressed a pain, but it helps tighten things up to reduce your pain and heal effectively. You get full lower abdominal support and back support too. The triple layering is really sturdy, and while it sounds heavy, it’s made with a special breathable fabric that is hypoallergenic and microporous.
At the groin area, you can adjust the hooks to accommodate even the heaviest-flow pads to catch all the lochia your body will be expelled during this time. Because of the design, it helps you get your posture back and correct your belly all in one. Doctors recommend this design, and while I’ll say all those hooks can be tedious, it helps you recover your core.
Steel boning shapes to your body and keeps it from rolling down while this postpartum corset comes up high enough to keep muffin tops and back bulge from ruining your look. This one is hardcore, but if you want results, you’ll settle for nothing less.
Everyday Medical Abdominal Binder
Made just for plus-size mamas who want postpartum shaping and support!
Everyday Medical designed this abdominal binder with plus-size women, particularly those who had a c-section. Constructed of high-quality material, it features an adjustable 4-panel design that is flexible and easy to adjust to your desired level of compression.
By compressing your belly, it creates a slimming ability that boosts oxygen and blood flow while providing the support your back and abdomen need to heal after giving birth. It conforms to your body and keeps from bunching or rolling while allowing air to circulate for a comfortable experience.
I like this because it has extra-strong Velcro to secure it, which is more durable than the retail-grade Velcro you usually see. This won’t matter a bit to you until your belly wrap starts to wear out, much as mine did around the time I was ready to give it up. Mine was a freebie from the hospital, so it’s not like I spent money to wind up disappointed.
This design is also really discreet so you can secure it in place under your clothing and get the support you need while working to heal your body.
Diane & Geordi Postpartum Body Shaper Girdle
Get a total-body makeover with this zippered post-pregnancy girdle!
Let’s face it. Pregnancy is NOT kind to our bodies. We need the patience to get back to pre-pregnancy size. But sometimes, you just can’t wait. Perhaps you have a special event to attend, or you just prefer to wear tight-fitting clothing to look sexy. I feel you!
That’s where this one comes in. It covers your upper thighs, butt, belly, and back, leaving room for your bra underneath, perfect for those sultry dresses you want to show off. It can work with your nursing bra too. And it zips up! So, climb on in, sip up, and let it reshape your body in a flash.
Made in Colombia where the women seem effortlessly sexy, this might be their secret. And it will be your secret too. Made with Powernet, a durable, resistant, and reinforced material, it glides on and compresses your body to look flawless fast. Keep in mind that this bodysuit style won’t win over all of you, but for many of you, this might be the winner. 😀
BRABIC Seamless Postpartum Belly Band Wrap
Invisible and seamless to correct postpartum belly bulge!
BRABIC is another option for those of you that prefer a more elastic and soft belly band. It’s seamless and doesn’t have any closures, so you slide it on and smooth over those bulgy areas.
I’d recommend this one for a slight postpartum pouch that provides light compression in a comfortable fit. It features steel bones and tight knitting to help draw in your belly and any additional extras you’re working on correcting as you slim back down to size. In the meantime, it gives you a much slimmer look in anything you wear.
While it does provide lumbar support, some of you may fare better with something that offers a little more guidance in the back. But if you didn’t gain very much during pregnancy, it provides just the right amount of abdominal compression to give you a sleek and trim appearance.
Bonus: Honorable Mention
Belly Bandit Post-pregnancy Compression Wrap
If you’re looking for support during and after pregnancy, Belly Bandit is a 2-band system designed to lift that belly bump and relieve pregnancy pains. It comes with a second compression belt that can help you get back down to size and ease pains after delivery. It’s an exquisite choice for lift and support both now and later!
Leslie’s Winning Pick
So, now you’re all looking at me and wondering which of these I’d choose if I decided to have more children. As someone who has been there and done that, I’d likely go for the Bellefit medical-grade postpartum girdle 🏆. Not because I like the idea of wearing something that looks like it might very well push my comfort limits, but because I feel it could really have benefited me after both my c-sections.
FAQs – You Asked, We Answered!
The answers to all your questions about the fittest postpartum belly wraps are right here. I’ve selected the most common questions in my inbox and given you the scoop on what to know!
🙋 Do postpartum belly wraps really work, and should you wear it?
Yes, they really do work, but you need to have realistic expectations.
Postpartum belly wraps and bands can support those abdominal muscles right after you give birth. Your muscles will be weaker there, whether you had a c-section or not, though, especially after a c-section due to the incisions. They give light compression to encourage your uterus to get back down to size. That does happen naturally, but a little help is nice.
They are also completely safe as long as you use them correctly. By that, I mean, don’t pull it too tight, make sure you’re not wearing it 24/7, and don’t keep wearing it day in/day out for months on end.
🙋 How soon and how long after birth can you wear a belly band?
In most cases, you can start wearing one right away, though that depends on what your doctor says. You’ll benefit the most the sooner you wear it, and you can keep on wearing it for 6 to 8 weeks though you may want to wear it longer. You shouldn’t keep it on after 6 months, though. That’s a bit extreme!
🙋 Is it too late to wear postpartum wrap?
It’s really never too late, but if you’ve just given birth, you’ll speed up your recovery by starting to wear one now. You can look through my best postpartum belly binder reviews to find the right one for you!
🙋 Does wearing a girdle make your stomach flat after baby?
In a way, a post-pregnancy girdle helps with getting that flatter stomach. But it’s not a cure-all. You can’t slap one on and expect to be skinny in a matter of weeks. It does help give your belly and your back support though it keeps you more comfortable and allows you to move more.
FYI,
If you want to see your best results, don’t forget to check out my posts about healthy eating and exercise. Along with breastfeeding, which naturally slims you down, you will start the gradual process of getting back down to size. So, in short, the postpartum bands do help but only to a certain degree. You’ll need to do the work required to lose weight.
🙋 Can I use binder after normal delivery?
Of course, you can, doll! You might benefit best from the 3-in-1 style postpartum bands listed in my reviews section so you can adjust them and pair them up with your needs.
🙋 Do hospitals give you a postpartum girdle?
That depends. According to some of my friends, yes, and others, no. In China, they gave me one both times. It wasn’t anything as fabulous as the ones in this review, but it did the trick. It just didn’t last that long as far as the Velcro and elastic were concerned.
What about in the USA?
With my friends here in the states, those that had c-sections were given one. My friends that delivered vaginally did not get one. It could have something to do with that, though I can’t find anything conclusive to indicate otherwise. You should contact your doctor or the hospital where you plan to give birth and find out what their policy is about providing postpartum girdles.
🙋 Are girdles and waist trainers the same?
Waist trainers and girdles are different though arguably, the terms are interchangeable. The key difference is in providing support to your belly, back, and internal organs. Corsets are designed to cinch those in and not support, for a fashion statement. Think of Kim K. several years back. Doctors don’t recommend doing this as it can cause more harm than good.
When choosing a belly wrap for postpartum healing, make sure you choose one like those I’ve listed above, which are approved for helping your body get the support it needs after birth.
Again, I have to say it…
Do not expect to get your pre-baby body back in a flash. That’s like Gretchen trying to make “fetch” happen in Mean Girls. Instead, gradually get moving again as your doctor approves it, eat healthy foods, and use a proper wrap for postpartum to keep your midsection and lumbar supported as you heal!