I really researched the belly band product before buying this one. I bought two sizes of the bandit before having my first baby in order to have the proper size. I found that with both belly bandits, the material bunched, pinched and lost its shape. At this point it becomes useless as a belly band because instead of it being smooth and firm its bunched and wobbly. I am a fit and tall woman and the band creased two days into wearing it and never regained its shape, even with washing and an attempt to reshape.
The idea of the band is good for the post pregnancy time when your belly and its contents are jiggling around and somewhat painful however, this is not a great product. The marketing is smart but the product is cheap and not meant to last the 6 weeks it suggests.
Also, this product is VERY visible under clothes. Everyone who came over to see the baby asked me what I was wearing under my loose shirt. The sound of the velcro crunching when I sat did not help matters either.
I would try another product next time. Nude Original Belly Bandit - Small
I am 5'4'', and this wrap is a bit long for my torso - the top inch of the wrap is actually covering up the bottom of my rib cage, and the stiff fabric is poking into my breasts, which are pretty tender from engorgement and breastfeeding. But, I did notice a big difference even after wearing this for one day. I started wearing it about 5 days post-partum (I got a size small, based on my pre-pregnancy size. I didn't fit into the wrap until day 5, and during that time I was wondering if I should have gotten a second wrap in a medium, but once I felt how uncomfortable the wrap was, I knew that I wouldn't have wanted to wear it so soon after giving birth, as I was already very uncomfortable and in some pain.). Anyway, up until I wore the wrap, I was having a really hard time with my posture - my abdominal muscles were so weak and stretched out, I felt like I couldn't sit or stand up straight. Once I had the wrap on, my posture improved tremendously, and at the end of the day, my abdominal muscles were strong enough to hold myself up on my own. I'm now two weeks post-partum; I do think the wrap has helped me get my shape and strength back. I wear it for about 8 hours a day - anything more is too uncomfortable - but I think it's worth it.
I never got to wear the Bandit immediately postpartum -- but I have tried it almost 4 years later! :) It is supportive, which is especially helpful when you have no muscle tone right after birth. And if you're going to use a wrap, I'd rather have a pretty one, like the couture or bamboo bandits. A lot of people have trouble getting the right size (I'm the owner of One Hot Mama, an Amazon retailer) so here are my suggestions:
In the seventh or eighth month many many women will be the same they will be post delivery (sorry for the bad news!). Simply measure the circumference of your waist starting at your belly button. Buy the corresponding size.
If you're around 40 weeks, simply subtract 3 to 5 inches from your waist measurement and select the band for that measurement.
If you measure between band sizes, we recommend that you purchase the smaller one. The Belly Bandit is designed with five inches of adjustability to stay tight as you shrink.
Good luck, and happy birthing!
This product is foremost very uncomfortable. It is stiff and as someone mentioned, the sizing is 'iffy'. If you're short or short waisted, the one 'width' band does NOT fit all- it either rode up into my breasts or else it bent at the bottom and rode up every time I sat or bent down.
The fabric is so stiff, that it really doesn't hold things in tightly- it hold me in at hte top and bottom but since the fabric doesn't 'give' I bulge out in the middle which is where we all really want to be held in.
The return policy is bacially NOTHING. Once you purchase it it cannot be returned, only exchanged- which does you no good if you don't like it.
And finally, I hated that the product came in a box with thier BIG LOGO and desciption on it. I'm not into my mailman and everyone else knowing what I"m ordering.
I would NOT order this again. I finally went to an ace bandage wrapped around me, and it worked BETTER and was WAY more comfortable. Save some $ , go to the drug store and buy a wide ace bandage for $5. YOu'll thank me.
Its about time!!! I knew about belly wrapping from my mother (it's a tradition in her country) and tried a bunch of different products with my first two children. Nothing worked anything near as good as the Belly Bandit. I was amazed at how quickly it started working. I could see and feel it within two days of wearing. I"m actually thinner now than before I started having kids believe it or not. I highly recommend it to any woman. This is the only thing I buy now for baby showers. Take it from a real user - well worth the money for the results.
I got the Couture instead of original, because that's the only style my local maternity store carries and I want to look at the size before buying. At $50, it seemed really pricey for a piece of fabric with Velcro on it. Turns out that this is the best money I've ever spent on body sculpting! I was quite thin, so I was definitely worried that I will never fit into my skinny jeans again. This band does what it says - I started wearing my pre-pregnancy clothes and jeans again when my baby was 8 weeks. My friends were amazed at how fast I got back in shape.
Also, wearing it shortly postpartum gave my abdomen and back the support it needed. My stomach was quite saggy after birth (sorry ladies, but it takes time for the skin and muscles to tighten up). Belly binding helped keep my innings in their right places and prevented any bowel movement discomfort. I felt I have my body back faster when my abdomen is well supported.
My only complaint is that this is a little too long, heightwise. I am 5'4" and naturally have a short torso, and the band goes from the chest right under my breast to the hip. It keeps my back really straight when I sit, which makes me feel awkward, so I only wear it when I sleep or going out - basically when I spend a good deal of time stretching out. However, if I were taller I can imagine wearing it all day, as the construction is sturdy and the fabric is really comfortable.
At $50, it is a treat for me. But consider how much other useless pregnancy and baby related stuff cost, this is well worth it.'
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