Haven't you wondered why there is no easy cure to flabby tummies?? Why isn't there something to help women get back in shape easily after losing control of their bodies' shape during pregnancy?? Well, such an article has not been created yet, but I assure you that the belly wrap (aka belly band) is the one article that will aid with getting your stomach flat again. It Worked For Me And Many Women I Know.

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with any belly band company. I write this because I want to share my experience and provide a more thorough and complete source of information for women who are researching this option. As I did not find enough information when I was doing the same.

Most of the time, when women experience their first pregnancy, they become reading freaks. I am sure that most women out there, especially with their first pregnancy, read every book that came to their reach. The pregnancy book, what to expect when you are expecting, during pregnancy books, delivery books, after pregnancy books, first year of baby books, getting back in shape books...you name it. All this reading is amazing for learning and feeling a bit more comfortable and secure with that huge first time experience. But no book out there (that I know about) has ever mentioned the real deal. No book out there will really prepare you and warn you about what happens to the body after giving birth. If you think that gaining a few or a lot of pounds, swelling, momnesia, and hair loss are all you will have to deal with, let me tell you something, you are nowhere near the truth!!!

While some women (lucky them), experience almost no after-birth effects, most do experience them. Do not worry, it is common, and you are not the first to experience these. The big butt, huge boobs, loose skin, and even the blues are all reversible. The sooner you start working on these after giving birth, the better.

My first baby was born on February 2008. I had the healthiest of pregnancies and almost no discomforts what so ever. I gained the weight I was supposed to gain and never even got weird cravings. The last two weeks were a bit uncomfortable though, as the baby kept growing and my poor skin kept stretching to give him room. The burning sensation was not fun. Finally, I had to have a c-section, because my baby was way too big for my frame (as the doctor put it). I guess that is what happens when a little Colombian woman (I would say average actually) marries a humongous American. I don't even want to think about what is going to happen to my best friend who married a German.

And well, the c-section is a bit painful the first few days, but other wise you just have to be extra careful. That is what had me worried...No exercise for 3 months at least. Gosh!!! When and how was I ever going to get back in shape?? Right then, I definitely decided to try out my mom's old secret: the belly wrap.

I was worried. Not that I was huge after the baby, in fact I only had 7 lbs extra, of which most were water retention that the body gets rid off naturally. But I was definitely not toned and was very out of shape. And it was going to end up being worse if I was not even allowed to climb stairs. Oh I tell you, it is not an easy time for a mom. As happy as you can be about your new baby, every time you look in the mirror all you see is something that is not yourself.

I started wearing the belly wrap the day I got home from the hospital, which was the third day after giving birth. I wore it 24x7, only taking it off to shower. And not only did it get my skin reattached to the muscle, but it gave me a lot of support also, as the stomach muscles are very weak after pregnancy.

I stopped wearing the belly wrap after six weeks. I wish I had taken pictures of the before and after, because WOW did it work!!!

Belly wraps have been used for centuries for different medicinal purposes. Japanese medicine insists on the importance of posture, support and warmth on the abdominal area, and they achieve this with their Haramaki (belly wrap). Belly binding in Japan is something as common and natural as eating rice everyday.

Latin America calls it Faja and Latin women have also used this binding method for centuries, searching to provide heat and energy. India and parts of Europe believe wholeheartedly on its benefits.

By compression, these wraps are designed to help get the loose skin attached to the muscle, avoiding things like water to accumulate in that specific area(water retention). It is as simple as that!!! Now a days, banding is used after liposuction, as the grease that is in between the skin and the muscle is sucked out and the skin needs pressure to reattach to the muscle. SIMPLE and IT WORKS.!!

Just be aware that the belly wrap will take care of loose skin and support the stomach muscles on getting back to work, but if you want your firm six pack back, you have to work them out (as soon as you can).

The Belly Wraps can be worn within 24 hours of giving birth and for a period of 4 to 8 weeks.

There are several types of belly wraps. Some are simple and suitable for the purpose, some are more "sophisticated" and expensive and most probably achieve what they proclaim to do. Whichever you choose, make sure it fits very snugly but comfortably when you first wear it, as when you start getting slimmer you need the belly wrap to keep on compressing that tummy.

The following are a few types of belly wraps that I know about. All of them have been used by friends with success. They have worked and are surely going to be used after future pregnancies.

• Velcro - Belt Belly Wrap: this is the one I used. The doctor actually recommended I get a belly wrap since I had a c-section. It is difficult to use the stomach muscles after pregnancy and it is worse after a c-section, therefore the wrap is recommended primarily for support. This is the one I chose for myself because it is made of cotton and so it is soft enough for wearing over the wound. I also liked the fact that the Velcro could be fastened anywhere around the wrap, so it would never be too big or feel loose. I loved it, and when I finally stopped wearing it, my skin had attached well to the muscle. The only thing I did not like is that it bulged underneath the clothes and so it could be noticed.
• Complete Pull-Up Wrap (with underwear): this belly wrap is ideal for wearing underneath clothes, as it does not show at all. Since it comes attached to the underwear, you need to buy enough of these to change every day (no need to explain why). When buying it, you must be careful with the sizing because your butt must fit in it as well and when you slim down you don't want it to be loose. Since it is not adjustable the best bet is buying smaller sizes when needed.
• Half Pull-Up Wrap (no underwear): this belly wrap does not have the underwear part, therefore it is probably a better option. It is not fastened by any means, but it is all made out of expandex cotton. It does not show under the clothes and sizing is easy. It was perceived as very comfortable.
• Button-Up Waist Cincher: if you have had a c-section, I do not recommend you use this one. As it is very tight and uncomfortable. Sizing is a bit hard because they come very very tight. It is a button up piece made of cotton lining and rubber on the outside. I would probably not buy this one without trying it on. It was found very uncomfortable
• Post-Surgical Girdle: this one is the one recommended for post-lipo use, but it also works for after birth wonderfully. It actually helps the tissues get reattached much faster. It is considerably more expensive, but it is comfortable, does not show under clothes and it does not only target the stomach section but the entire torso, which is great.
• Full Body Post-Surgical Girdle: this one has the same benefits as the one immediately above, but it covers a larger portion of the body. It has an opening on the crotch area so you don't need to take the whole thing off to go to the bathroom. Make sure you understand the sizing charts, as you want it to be tight but not painful.

The belly wraps usually come in the sizes small, medium and large. The merchant usually shows the range of waist sizes that would fit into each wrap. When they are not adjustable they come in a wider selection of sizes. My rule is to buy the size you wore before pregnancy (unless you gained too much weight). For a better fit, measure your actual waist size with a measuring tape to compare it with the charts provided by the merchants.

Here are a few extra tips:

• Belt Wraps: the size is determined by waist size (go for smaller though)
• Button-up Wraps: they are tighter than most others so be careful when choosing this one.
• Pull-Ups: the size is determined by waist. This one is not adjustable, so make sure it is very snugly so it will do its job for as long as you need it.
• Full Body Girdles: merchants give specific size charts in which you choose according to 3 measures, usually weight, hips and bust. Follow these and you will get the one right for you.
• Any piece with rubber is always smaller and it will not expand to put on, so review the sizing charts closely.

1. It will be an everyday reminder of reaching your back-to-shape goal.
2. If you feel that your torso and abdomen areas are very week and that you are finding it a bit difficult to sit up and move in general, the belly wrap will give this area support allowing more mobility and therefore letting you be more active.
3. Support on the abdomen when you carry the baby. If you have noticed, your stomach tends to stick out more when you are carrying the baby. This only promotes the abs to hang more. The belly wrap will keep the abdomen firm and tight.
4. Some belly wraps aid with blood circulation and cellulite reduction. Read the specifications to find out.
5. You will be satisfied with less food as the stomach has no room to expand to allow you to eat and eat.
6. It aids with good posture and corrects it.

Remember that all skins are different and some may stretch easily and go back to their original state just as easily, but others take longer and need a little help.

The belly wrap helps with attaching the skin back to the muscle, it does not tone or give you a six pack. That, you have to work for separately. There are a few things that you should do to get your flat stomach back and your shape back, to kick the baby-blues off, and get back to your pre-pregnancy activities quicker. These are a few:

1. Oil: this is another Colombian secret that we fondly stick to. Mix some oil with your body moisturizer. I use almond oil, but any body oil is fine, some people even use olive oil. Make sure you use it after every shower ALL OVER your body (this should be done throughout the pregnancy as well). I mix 1/2 cup of oil with a big 725ml bottle of body moisturizer.
2. Liquids: drink plenty of water, decaf teas, real squeezed juices.
3. Activity: start up some kind of activity as soon as you can. It does not have to be a 2 hour extenuous workout. Begin with a walk around the block, make it two walks later on or a longer one. When you feel up to it wear ankle weights.
4. Nutrition: eat healthy and nutritious meals. Stay away from fatty foods, sugar, refined carbs, sodas...
5. Patience: patience is a virtue. Take it easy, it took 9 months for the body to get where it is, so don't rush. You will see changes and results little by little.

The following websites offer Brooke Burke's belly band (Tauts) and the Belly Bandit belly wrap. They don't differ much from the ones mentioned above and might be a bit more costly.

• Tauts by Brooke Burke
• Belly Bandit

IMPORTANT: Please know that our written work is licensed under the Creative Commoms Copyright License which states that you may NOT use it as your own.