Tummy size after delivery is a common cause of worry amongst new moms and a major cause of this is societal expectations but its important every new mom isn’t under any kind of pressure because our bodies are different and the rate of recovery after childbirth will be different for every woman.
Due to stretching of the muscles around the tummy during pregnancy, what the tummy needs is support which is where wrapping the tummy after delivery comes in.
Wrapping the tummy and drinking hot water after delivery with the motive of having a flat tummy just after having a baby can leave you disappointed because in most cases, having your tummy back will not be an instant process. In fact, if the tummy is tied or wrapped wrongly, it can prevent the tummy from even reducing.
The aim of wrapping your tummy is to help support the muscles around your tummy so they don’t become weaker.
In addition to this, how you eat, physical activities, genetic make up matter too. How we gain and lose weight depend on several factors including some underlying medical conditions.
After delivery, a postpartum belt is what you ought to use and this is different from a waist trainer. Avoid waist trainers, corsets or cinchers, these are not safe for you after delivery.
There are different types of postpartum belt, there are some products you can wear right away after delivery but for many other types, you will have to wait until your c-section site is completely healed.
If you had a vaginal delivery and you would prefer to use a cloth to wrap your tummy, you can do so but it shouldn’t be done too tightly and you don’t have to have it on all day as this can weaken your muscles which can further lead to an increase in the size of your tummy in the long run.
How to know a postpartum belt that’s right for you:
- It will support your tummy
- Allows you breathe freely
- Improve posture
- Reduce pain especially after a caesarean section
If you are confused about the exact postpartum belt that’s right for you, your healthcare provider can give you further guidance based on any peculiarity you may have especially after a caesarean section.
While using a postpartum belt, if you notice you are developing difficulty with breathing after adjusting it, having a heartburn or you suddenly feel like fainting or noticing swollen veins around your body, stop using such postpartum belt immediately.
