There are many binders and wraps to chose from on the market and they all promise a lot regarding their ability to flatten your postpartum belly. Some of them even claim to be able to heal abdominal muscle separation ( diastasis recti).
But you can also find certain criticism of the post-pregnancy binders. Some people accuse the binders of making the user passive regarding the healing process. Instead of having to think about your posture and about activating your weak and stretched abdominals you get the support you need from the binder.
As for myself I used a binder after both my pregnancies. I put it on after getting back from the hospital and continued to wear it a couple of weeks. I felt that I really needed the support, and that it was such a relief to be able to tuck in my postpartum tummy in that binder - my belly was still huge even though the baby was out. I felt more comfortable and it actually provided the extra support I needed. Especially after baby number 2, who was delivered by a c-section, it was nice to get some extra stability from the binder.
So I would recommend it as long as you are aware of all the work you need to do despite the fact that you have a binder on and your belly feels rather flat and stable with it on. The work? You have to reactivate and strengthen your abdominals through countless repetitions of mobility exercises.
//Nicole Hellgren
