DayDream Doula Bree Moore
  • Services
    • Birth Doula
    • Postpartum Belly Binding
    • Postpartum Care
    • *NEW* Doula on Demand
    • Birth Consulting and Fear-Clearing
    • Childbirth Education
  • Blog
  • Store
  • Local Resources
    • Birth Book Library
    • Ogden
    • North Salt Lake
  • What is B.E.S.T.?
  • About Me

Belly Binding: Can I Bind Myself?

3/17/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
This is one of the questions women commonly ask once they are introduced to postpartum belly binding. (Still aren't certain what belly binding is or why you would want to do it? Click here to learn more about belly binding.)

The basic answer is YES! You can learn to belly bind yourself postpartum. 

Whether your budget doesn't have room to hire a professional belly binder or there aren't any in your area, you can definitely learn this incredible skill and receive the benefits of belly binding postpartum. 


However, word of caution: belly binding is tricky to learn, though the technique is simple once you have it down. And since you'll be binding yourself in the first days and weeks postpartum, you'll be tired, bleeding, leaking milk, sleep-deprived, and prone to hormonal mood swings. This makes belly binding yourself difficult, but not impossible, and there are a few things that will make it all the easier. 


Read More
0 Comments

Belly Binding: How Much Fabric Do I Need?

3/17/2017

0 Comments

 
Whether you're binding yourself or having a professional belly binder come to your home after you have your baby, it's important to have enough material to be properly bound.

The most common mistake I see being made, especially when women DIY traditional belly binding, is not using enough material when they bind. Whether they made it themselves or bought it online, so often they end up with something that looks like this: 

Picture
Picture
Uncomfortable and ineffective, even potentially harmful. And there's one main thing you can do to improve your experience belly binding - have enough fabric. A professional belly binder should provide the material for you. But what if you're planning to bind yourself? How can you know what kind and how much fabric you need? Keep reading!

Read More
0 Comments

What's in a doula bag?

3/10/2017

0 Comments

 
Almost every doula brings a bag with her to every birth. But what's in that magical Mary-Poppins-like pouch? I can't speak for everyone, but I'll give you a glimpse of the most common items you'll find in mine - the items vary from time to time, but these essential things can always be found inside. 
Picture

Why do you have that ​in your bag?

Some of these items might seem a bit strange, or maybe you don't know why a doula would want them at a birth, so here's a quick run-down: 
  • Rebozo - the Mexican rebozo is a scarf that is VERY handy for helping a pregnant woman relax, focus, and progress through labor. I'm trained in the use of this unique cultural tool, and I always bring one with me. If nothing else, it makes a great blanket or pillow if I need to nap during an extra long labor (only when the pregnant woman is resting, of course!)
  • Reference books - these help jog my memory if I need to remember it during a birth. Right now I have my Rebozo Positions Flip Chart and a Spinning Babies book. 

Read More
0 Comments

Am I Too Late to Belly Bind?

3/6/2017

7 Comments

 
Picture
This is the most common question I'm asked by women when they first learn about belly binding. They range from 3 weeks, 3 months, or even years postpartum. The benefits of postpartum belly binding are many (read about the benefits here!), so it's understandable that these women want to take advantage.

The first question I ask is: what is your motivation?

Is it weight loss? Belly binding doesn't exactly do that, and if that's your main motivation, then belly binding isn't for you. 

Or is it support? Belly binding DOES do that!

If your goal is supporting your body to facilitate healing, then belly binding might be for you, but there are a few more things to consider. 
  • Belly binding is MOST effective and recommended during the first 6 weeks postpartum. After this time, the benefits take longer to notice and aren't as prevalent. 
  • Belly binding after 6 weeks postpartum could have the OPPOSITE effect you desire - that is, weakening muscles instead of supporting them as they strengthen. 
  • Belly binding up to 2 years postpartum has been reported to be beneficial by women who have tried it, but there are no studies being done or guarantees that can be made. 

Here's what I tell those women who ask me, "Is it too late to belly bind?"

Read More
7 Comments
    Yes to Birth! By Rachel Yellin Audio Relaxation Program

    Author

    BreeAnn Moore
    Professional Birth and Postpartum Doula, experienced belly binder. Wife. Mother of four. Lover of cats, books, and chocolate. Filled with hope for humanity and joy with every new baby!

    Picture

    Archives

    March 2018
    February 2018
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    April 2016

    Categories

    All
    Belly Binding
    Birth Center
    Doula
    First Trimester
    Fourth Trimester
    Healthy Weight Loss
    Heartburn Relief
    Home Birth
    Hospital Birth
    Induction
    Natural Birth
    Natural Remedies
    Overdue
    Post-Dates
    Postpartum Care
    Pregnancy
    Preparation
    Sciatic Nerve Pain Relief
    Second Trimester
    Third Trimester
    Visualization
    Water Birth

    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Services
    • Birth Doula
    • Postpartum Belly Binding
    • Postpartum Care
    • *NEW* Doula on Demand
    • Birth Consulting and Fear-Clearing
    • Childbirth Education
  • Blog
  • Store
  • Local Resources
    • Birth Book Library
    • Ogden
    • North Salt Lake
  • What is B.E.S.T.?
  • About Me