Whether you’re in your first trimester, snuggling your little one postpartum, or somewhere in between, a little belly support goes a long way. As your belly grows during pregnancy and shrinks postpartum, you might find that a belly band or belly wrap is all you need to feel energized and ready to conquer the day.
We’ve pulled together some of our favorite belly bands and belly wraps, plus a list of how you can use them at every stage of pregnancy—especially in that critical “fourth trimester.” But first, let’s talk about the benefits of wearing a belly support band during pregnancy.
Why You Need a Pregnancy Belly Support Band
A belly band can help support you and your little one as they grow inside you. Here are a few benefits of postpartum belly binding:
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Belly bands can help decrease pain. By the time your little one is ready to come out, you’ve gained quite a bit of weight in your belly. That’s going to take a toll on your back and hips. In fact, 71 percent of women struggle with lower back pain during pregnancy. Belly bands give that little extra support you need, and just the right amount of pressure on your lower back to relieve any pain, to help you accomplish what you want to when you’re pregnant.
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Belly bands provide compression. When you’re running around (exercise, chasing older kids, or having a great time on vacation), having a little bit of compression to support your back and belly can make all the difference. Just make sure it’s not too tight and that you give your belly a break after an hour or two.
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Belly bands support posture. Something about a comfortably snug band around your middle reminds you to sit and stand up straighter, which is so great when you’re pregnant. You’ll be tempted to hunch over and cuddle that baby belly, but a pregnancy support band can help you stand up straight and give your little one all the space they need to grow.
How do belly bands work?
Belly bands are designed with ergonomics and comfort in mind, offering a combination of support and flexibility that adapts to your body. Here’s how they work:
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Redistribution of Weight: Belly bands evenly distribute the weight of your belly across your hips, pelvis, and lower back to alleviate pressure on specific muscle groups.
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Adjustable Support: Most bands feature adjustable closures or straps to provide a customized fit that accommodates your growing belly throughout pregnancy.
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Breathable Fabrics: High-quality belly bands are made with breathable, stretchy materials like viscose from bamboo, ensuring all-day comfort while keeping your skin cool and irritation-free.
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Targeted Compression: The light compression improves circulation and reduces swelling in your lower abdomen and legs.
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Mobility Assistance: By stabilizing your core and lower back, belly bands enhance mobility and reduce discomfort during movement or physical activity.
For ultimate support, Belly Bandit offers a range of pregnancy and postpartum belly wraps, including the Upsie Belly®, which provides hip and back support, and the 2-in-1 Hip Bandit™, which transitions seamlessly into postpartum recovery support. Explore our pregnancy belly bands collection.
How to Wear a Belly Band
Wearing a belly band correctly ensures you get the support and comfort you need during pregnancy or postpartum recovery. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you put on different styles of belly bands effectively:
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Put on a Belly Band
1. Standard Belly Wraps (Postpartum Use)
Step 1: Start with the band fully open and flat.
Step 2: Wrap the belly band around your waist, ensuring the fabric is centered over your lower abdomen.
Step 3: Secure the adjustable closure, starting from one side and pulling it snugly across your belly. Ensure it’s tight enough to provide support but not so tight that it feels uncomfortable.
Step 4: Adjust the fit as needed to ensure even compression and proper alignment.
Example: Belly Bandit’s Original Postpartum Belly Wrap uses a simple wrap-around design with Velcro closures for an easy fit.
2. Pregnancy Belly Bands
Step 1: Position the widest part of the band under your belly for maximum lift and support.
Step 2: Wrap the sides around your back and fasten the adjustable straps in the front or side, depending on the design.
Step 3: Adjust the band to sit snugly, providing gentle support without putting too much pressure on your belly or restricting movement.
Example: The Upsie Belly® offers 12 inches of adjustability to accommodate your growing belly.
3. Multi-Use Bands (Pregnancy and Postpartum)
Step 1: For pregnancy use, position the band under your belly and fasten the straps for gentle lift and support.
Step 2: For postpartum use, place the band around your lower abdomen and secure it to provide targeted compression to your core muscles.
Example: The 2-in-1 Hip Bandit™ transitions seamlessly between pregnancy and postpartum support.
Tips for Wearing a Belly Band
To get the most out of your belly band, follow these tips for proper fit, comfort, and effectiveness:
1. Ensure a Proper Fit
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Choose the correct size for your body. Use the size chart provided by the brand and measure your waist or hips (depending on the band’s focus area).
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A postpartum band should be snug but not overly tight. If you’re between sizes, opt for the smaller size for firmer compression during recovery.
Pro Tip: Belly Bandit products like the Luxe Belly Wrap include an extender for additional adjustability during the postpartum period.
2. Position the Band Correctly
For pregnancy support, the band should sit low on your belly, just above your pelvic area, to lift the weight off your hips and back.
For postpartum recovery, the band should wrap around your waistline and cover your lower abdomen to provide targeted compression.
3. Adjust for Comfort
Avoid wearing the band too tightly, which can restrict circulation or cause discomfort. You should be able to breathe and move freely while feeling supported.
Check that the band is smooth and evenly fastened to prevent bunching or uneven pressure.
4. Wear it for the Recommended Duration
During pregnancy, wear the band during activities that strain your back, such as walking or standing for long periods. Avoid wearing it continuously for more than 2–3 hours without a break.
Postpartum, wear the belly band as recommended by your doctor, typically for 6–8 weeks. Consistent daily use can maximize the benefits.
5. Consider Your Lifestyle
If you’re active, look for a band with breathable, sweat-wicking fabric like Belly Bandit’s Upsie Belly®, which allows for movement and comfort during light exercise.
For discreet wear under clothing, opt for seamless designs like the Mother Tucker® Belly Compression Corset, which smooths your silhouette without visible lines.
Best Belly Bands For Each Trimester
Wait, are belly bands safe during pregnancy? Yes! Here’s a breakdown of what you can use for each trimester and postpartum!
First Trimester Belly Bands
These three months probably feel like survival mode for many moms-to-be. Between morning sickness and exhaustion, your growing body is putting you through the ringer as you nurture that little one through its earliest days of life.
In these first few months, you might not need a belly band regularly, but once in a while, the support can make all the difference. Here’s what we suggest:
This is such a supportive belly band for pregnancy. It lifts and supports your growing belly, while also reducing the strain on your back muscles. During your first trimester, you might need this band towards the end as your belly really starts to grow. We suggest wearing it for an hour or two at a time, especially if you’re exercising.
Second Trimester Belly Bands
For so many women, the second trimester is their favorite. Baby is moving a lot, you get to see that cute little face in an ultrasound, and you might even get to start planning a nursery or choosing a layette. But even more exciting—the second trimester is usually when women feel their energy come back and want to get out and about. If you want to capitalize on that newfound energy, don’t forget to take a belly band with you.
This one is your best friend, again! Seriously, we can’t recommend this band enough as you and your baby are growing.
Bump Support Pregnancy Support Band
The Bump Support Pregnancy Band provides extra belly support helping take some of the strain off your hips and back. Designed with a soft, breathable knit fabric that’s thin enough to be worn underneath anything in your wardrobe, this pregnancy band is a must-have for the whole journey.
Third Trimester Belly Bands
This trimester, it’s all about growing. As you near the end of your pregnancy, your baby will start putting on a pound a week. And baby isn’t the only one changing. You might experience leg cramps, swelling in your ankles and hands, and backaches. Guess what? All of these things can be alleviated by wearing a belly support band just a few hours a day.
While you don’t want a lot of compression on your baby as they’re growing, having the support of a belly band can help relieve the pressure on your legs and feet (helping ease cramps and swelling!) and, of course, that support on your back will feel oh-so-wonderful.
You know how you said you wouldn’t be one of those pregnant women who waddles by the end of her pregnancy? Nine months later, you might be eating your words. But with the V-Sling, you can get relief and avoid the waddle! The V-Sling supports your belly and uterine wall, which helps with symphysis pubis, pelvic floor pressure, and other issues that cause that stereotypical waddle.
Upsie Belly provides relief and comfort for your belly and back during pregnancy; with 12 inches of grow-with-you adjustability, this pregnancy belly band does the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to!
Postpartum Belly Wraps
Many doctors are embracing the idea of a “fourth trimester.” You and your baby are still going through so much change and growth after birth. While your body is actively recovering from a major event—whether you had your baby vaginally or via C-section—you deserve all the support and love you got while you were pregnant, and then some.
With that in mind, we’ve developed several different types of Belly Wraps to help you not just recover from birth, but start to feel like yourself again . Here’s a breakdown on what each of our belly wraps do, so you can choose the one that fits your needs in the fourth trimester.
Original Postpartum Belly Wrap
We still love our O.G. belly wrap! It does all the things we designed it to do over a decade ago: slims and supports, strengthens core muscles, eases back pain, promotes mobility, and provides support after C-sections.
Utilizing Power Compress Core™ fabric, the B.F.F. Belly Wrap applies targeted compression; slims your belly, waist, and hips; and helps strengthen your core muscles that went through so much during pregnancy.
Our softest wrap ever, this wrap is covered in viscose from bamboo fabric, perfect for caring for your incision after a C-section or just giving your midsection a soft hug after birth.
This belly wrap was designed with five levels of targeted compression for the perfect cinch postpartum. Ten years in the making, it combines all the things we love about our other belly wraps into one. Ultra-thin, breathable, and invisible under your clothes, it’s a new-mama favorite.
This postpartum corset is designed for when you’re ready to transition out of wearing a postpartum belly wrap. It provides compression to help you look and feel your best postpartum, plus released tension at the bottom for more comfortable sitting. Flexible boning helps prevent rolling and digging, and gives your torso that long, lovely shape you want.
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Having a belly band during pregnancy and a belly wrap for the postpartum period can give your body the extra level of support and compassion (even compression!) you need to feel and look great—through every stage of motherhood.
