Every woman deserves a #positivepostpartum. That's right, including YOU! I'm giving the gift of a #positivepostpartum with THREE incredible postpartum prizes! ​

There's a huge rush in our culture to get our "pre-baby body" back. On one local support group facebook page I often see the question, "I'm 3 (or 4, or 5) weeks postpartum and feel great and have stopped bleeding. Can I start working out?" And as soon as we hit that 6 week mark and get "approved" for exercising, many of us are off through the gate. 

I'll start by saying this: slow down, mamas! Regular exercise is not appropriate before that 6 week mark - it could set back your healing and cause further issues (like worsening diastasis recit, an abdominal separation, or causing pelvic organ prolapse). So many postpartum cultures recommend staying indoors and relatively inactive for the first 40 days. Take this time to rest and bond with your baby. And if you're feeling REALLY restless, try these six postpartum-approved movements. 

Confinement. Xuo Yue Zi. The first Forty Days. Ansei. Sitting Month. Baby Moon. 
​
Whatever you call it, the first six weeks or so after a woman has a baby are a universally acknowledged time of much-needed recovery. 

In several Eastern countries like Malaysia, Mexico, Thailand, and Japan, daily abdominal massage and various forms of wrapping the abdomen (in Malaysia called Bengkung Belly Binding) is practiced, bringing warmth and support to a recovering mother. 

In Russia women are given an herbal steam bath in specially built saunas. 

In China, women are served dishes of pig's feet, sweet rice congee, red date and ginger tea, among others, specifically made to warm her body, keep blood flowing, and help her breast milk com in quickly, easily, and in abundance.

In Korea and India, similar principles apply: women eat and drink only hot or room temperature items, like Seaweed Soup and special curries, to avoid creating "wind" in her body that might prevent healing. ​

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. 

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?"