I found out about these things about 6 months after having my daughter so it was too late at that point. Now I'm about 6 weeks away from the birth of my son and I'd like to try one. Basically I'm looking something that will help slim my stomach down after birth. Any recommendations?
I would never ever ever cinch my waist at a point in time when my organs are trying to remember where they used to be before a small human made them move!
If you're determined to do it, Jessica Alba did an interview all about it. Sounds awful to me and I honestly felt sad for her for feeling the need to do it. However, if it's your cup of tea, I'd track down one of her interviews to see if she mentions specific products.
Breastfeeding was the only thing I needed to slim my waist down after birth! I was in the best shape of my (adult) life during and after breastfeeding each of the boys.
I really wish I had used one. My hips were always killing me while trying to find their way back and after #3 they never found their way back. I am up sizes due to my hips being wider and my ribs are expanded. I hate my ribcage now. It sticks out.
I used the bellefit after the birth of my third. It was pricey but well worth it. Between that and breast feeding I was back into my clothes by 2 weeks postpartum.
Zelda, there is tons of information on the internet about the benefits of using a tummy wrap immediately after birth, and continuously for the first 6 weeks or so.
Don't listen to the naysayers; but I would caution about the difference between a corset (which is what Alba did), and a traditional abdominal binder of some sort (which is what is recommended, and what I did).
I used one after babies 4 and 5, and it was the best thing I ever did. I put it on immediately after my vaginal birth (within the hour) and it felt SO incredible to have that support for my organs to help hold everything back in place while it all tried to "remember" where it was supposed to go. The support it gave my back was priceless, and the side effect of wearing it was that my hips and tummy were back to slimmer in so much less time than with babies 1,2, and 3.
I wore mine low on my body, so it kind of squeezed my hips and the lower part of my abdomen. I also didn't bother with the expensive Belly Bandit, or any other name brand binder. After much research, I ordered mine on Amazon, and it was called a McDavid Waist Trimmer, for about $12. Its super comfortable, really holds well, and fully adjustable to about any size of (normal weight) adults. I was about 160 when I delivered, and had a 9 lb baby, and it fit right after delivery.
It was seriously THE BEST money I ever spent. I read that as long as you can see your linea negra (the dark line down your belly)you are still producing the hormone Relaxin, which is what helps your hips spread. As long as you are producing the hormone, any help you give your hips to push back together will make them go back a lot faster.
Good luck-with the low price, you really can't go wrong with that one. I used a different one with baby #4, but had really great results with that too. I got it at Walmart in the exercise section. It was $10, and maybe a Bally waist trimmer? (Or something like that).
I used a standard Velcro elastic abdominal binder.
I can't say whether it helped or not...but it made the weeks following delivery far more comfortable.
When the binder was too stretched out, I actually just tied a scarf around my waist at the belly button.
