Childbirth is an amazingly beautiful thing, and it’s a testament to how incredible women’s bodies are. Once baby is here, a lot of mom’s are on the hunt for products and techniques that can help them get back into shape. One of the most recent trends, recommended by celebrities like Cardi B and the Kardashians, are postpartum belly wraps. The term might be new to you. However, the practice of belly binding after birth dates back centuries: Malaysian culture refers to these belly bands as bengkung, Mexicans use a wrap known as the faja, and Japanese mothers turn to a sarashi after birth. Here is everything you need to get started with Postpartum Belly Wraps: Tips and Best Belly Wraps That Actually Work.

For more maternity and postpartum recommendations, click here!

What Is a Postpartum Belly Wrap?

The technical term for these now-trendy belly bands is abdominal binders. They offer compression and support for your abdomen and your lower back, and it can also improve circulation and breathing. Doctors have prescribed belly wraps or binders for years following abdominal surgeries, including c-sections. However, in the past ten years, belly wraps made just for postpartum women have become super popular.

What Does A Postpartum Belly Wrap Do?

A postpartum belly wrap supports abdominal muscles and can aid with diastasis recti, a condition where the abdominals remain separated following pregnancy. It aids with lower back pain and posture and alleviates pain and pressure, particularly around a c-section incision. It can also help reduce some of the swelling you might experience after giving birth.

What Does A Postpartum Belly Wrap Not Do?

One thing postpartum belly wraps won’t do? Magically shrink your waist back to its pre-pregnancy size. That comes primarily through diet, exercise, and time—though a belly wrap will help provide a smoother appearance under clothes, similar to shapewear.

How Do I Know A Belly Wrap Is Wright For Me?

Barring any complications from delivery—and after receiving the go-ahead from your doctor— postpartum belly bands can be worn immediately after giving birth. Most belly wrap manufacturers suggest wearing one for around 10 to 12 hours each day, for up to six to eight weeks postpartum, to receive the full benefits. With that type of constant wear, the postpartum belly wraps you select needs to be one you love—and any of these 12 should fit the bill.

Best Postpartum Belly Wraps

BELLY BANDIT^® Original Belly Wrap

This is the no-nonsense postpartum belly wrap that started it all.  Over a decade ago, Belly Brandit introduced their doctor-recommended Belly Wraps to help slim and support your belly, waist, and hips post-delivery. They were inspired by the centuries-old tradition of postpartum belly binding and modernized this age-old practice for today’s moms. Their world-famous Belly Wraps are designed to help you look and feel your absolute best after delivery.

What great about these belly wraps is that they strengthen core muscles weakened during pregnancy (especially helpful if you have an abdominal separation, also called diastasis recti).  They ease back pain and provide comfort after having a C-section. Some hidden benefits are that encourage better posture, especially important during breastfeeding, and offer support while exercising!

UpSpring Baby Shrinkx Belly Postpartum Belly Wrap with Built In Back Support

This belly wrap instantly slims so you can look and feel better after pregnancy, whether you had a c-section or vaginal delivery. Made of lightweight, latex-free, breathable mesh fabric, this wrap is not as hot as many other belly binders. The bonus side straps provide triple abdominal compression and help customize the fit. The postpartum belly wrap also provides lower back support and helps improve posture while breastfeeding.

Measure the circumference of your belly. Subtract 3-5 inches from this measurement to determine your size.

ChongErfei Postpartum Support Recovery Belly Wrap Waist/Pelvis Belt Body Shaper Postnatal Shapewear

This one set postpartum girdles meets the needs of all your throughout the postpartum healing process. The fabric is breathable & comfortable; it can also help you maintain, or you correct your posture. It also helps to avoid the belly band from rolling up when you sit or move. This postpartum belly band helps reduce swelling, support core abdominal muscles, and return uterus to its original size sooner. It also makes you look instantly slimmer, adding confidence and helping you feel better after having a baby.

UpSpring Baby Shrinkx Hips Ultra Postpartum Hip Compression Belt and Hip Trainer

Designed with multiple levels of compression, Shrinkx Hips allows you to control the amount of pressure on your hips & work towards slimmer hips. You should purchase the hip binder size that is closest to your pre-pregnancy pant size (pant size 0-8 is an XS/S and pant size 10-1X is an M/L). Do not wear this compression belt until all staples or stitches are removed, and you feel you have recovered from the delivery itself. If you feel any pain when wearing the belt, discontinue use until you can wear it again without any discomfort.

LODAY 2 in 1 Postpartum Recovery Belt,Body Wraps Works for Tighten Loose Skin

This postpartum support band is very comfortable and soft to wear it all day. You might be worried that it would be difficult to put on since there’s no buttons or zippers, but it slips on easy and stays where you put it. It is 29 cm in length, so it is long enough to cover your entire belly and Helps with the incision of a c-section and the back pain. There are flexible boning in 4 places, stops it from moving around, and the steel liners help it not to shrink. The corset stays in place during the day and does not ride up or roll down, and it’s seamless under your clothing.

Maternity Afterband Support Belt – Isabel Maternity by Ingrid & Isabel™

Recover at your own pace with Afterband®™ for Target. This postpartum band discreetly smooths and shapes the belly, so you feel comfortable and supported once your baby’s in your arms. Discreet belly coverage limits exposure while breastfeeding.

Engineered to provide just enough compression (only where you need it), Afterband’s seamless knit and bone-free design offers shaping while still letting you engage your core muscles. Stay-put silicone strips at the hems hold the band in place.

PAZ WEAN Post Belly Band Postpartum Recovery Belt Girdle Belly Binder,

This abdominal binder applies medical-grade compression to help accelerate healing, reduce swelling, and bloating after delivery. The material is soft and smooth so that it won’t irritate your incision. With build-in boning provides on the back that allows this post C section girdle to help with the lower back pain, provide core muscles support, and remind you to use proper posture.