Postpartum belly bands, wraps, and abdominal binders are commonly used after pregnancy and birth. Many women are introduced to them early, often with the promise of “support”, faster recovery, or helping the body return to its pre-pregnancy shape.
While some women find belly bands offer short-term comfort, particularly in the early days or after a caesarean birth, they are not supported by strong evidence as a solution for long-term postpartum recovery. At Bare Mum, we take an evidence-led approach to postpartum care and focus on products that support how the body heals and regains function, rather than relying on compression-based support.
This is why we’ve chosen not to sell postpartum belly bands.
Understanding Postpartum Recovery
Postpartum recovery is not just about the abdomen. It involves a complex, coordinated system of muscles that work together to support movement, posture, and internal pressure.
Two of the most important components of this system are the deep core muscles and the pelvic floor.
The Core and Pelvic Floor Are Connected
The deep core muscles and pelvic floor function as a single, integrated unit. Along with the diaphragm, they work together to manage internal pressure and stabilise the body during everyday activities such as standing, walking, lifting, and breathing.
Pregnancy places significant and sustained load on this system. After birth, both the core and pelvic floor are often weakened, stretched, or temporarily dysregulated, even when birth has been uncomplicated and without trauma.
Effective postpartum recovery depends on gradually restoring coordination, strength, and timing between these muscles. This process relies on breath, movement, and progressive rehabilitation. External compression alone cannot rebuild this system.
What the Evidence Shows About Postpartum Belly Bands
Research suggests that abdominal binders may provide temporary comfort or pain relief, particularly following caesarean birth. Some women report feeling more supported in the very early postpartum period, which can make movement feel easier in the short term.
However, when it comes to long-term recovery, the evidence is limited and inconsistent.
Studies do not clearly show that belly bands:
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Improve core strength
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Support diastasis recti healing
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Enhance pelvic floor function
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Improve long-term postpartum outcomes
Belly bands provide passive support. They do not actively retrain muscles or restore coordination between the core and pelvic floor. Sustainable recovery requires the body to gradually re-engage these systems through movement and rehabilitation.
Why Compression Isn’t Always Helpful
Because the core and pelvic floor work together to manage pressure, abdominal compression can influence how load is distributed through the body.
When belly bands are worn tightly or for extended periods, abdominal pressure may increase. For some women, particularly in the early stages of pelvic floor recovery, this can feel unhelpful and may be associated with symptoms such as pelvic pressure or heaviness.
These sensations are signals from the body that the pelvic floor may need assessment and support, rather than additional compression.
Importantly, feeling supported or held does not necessarily mean that healing or functional recovery is taking place.
Comfort Versus Recovery
Some women find belly bands feel reassuring in the early postpartum period. That sense of containment can be comforting, especially when the body feels unfamiliar or vulnerable after birth.
However, comfort is not the same as recovery.
Recovery involves restoring strength, coordination, and confidence in movement. Over-reliance on rigid external support can reduce opportunities for the deep core and pelvic floor to re-engage naturally and may encourage holding or bracing strategies rather than functional movement.
This is why belly bands are not considered a medically proven solution for pelvic floor recovery, diastasis recti, or long-term core health.
Why Bare Mum Takes a Different Approach
At Bare Mum, our focus is on supporting postpartum recovery in a way that aligns with how the body actually heals.
We choose not to sell postpartum belly bands because they:
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Provide compression without strengthening
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Offer passive support rather than active rehabilitation
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Do not support the integrated recovery of the core and pelvic floor
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Can be difficult to use appropriately without professional guidance
Instead, we design products that prioritise comfort, mobility, and functional recovery.
Why We Offer Postpartum Briefs Instead
Rather than rigid belly bands, Bare Mum offers Postpartum Briefs designed for light, flexible support.
Our briefs are designed to:
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Provide gentle support without constriction
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Allow natural movement and participation in rehabilitation
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Be worn comfortably day and night
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Support comfort without increasing abdominal pressure
They are not intended to “pull everything in” or reshape the body. Instead, they offer a sense of stability and reassurance while allowing the core and pelvic floor to reconnect and strengthen over time.
Integrated Hot and Cold Therapy
Bare Mum Postpartum Briefs are also designed to accommodate hot and cold therapy, which can be a helpful part of postpartum comfort and recovery.
Targeted warmth or cooling can support:
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Relief from soreness or swelling
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Comfort during abdominal and pelvic healing
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Recovery without relying on tight compression
This allows women to respond to their body’s needs without restricting movement or relying on sustained pressure.
Our Philosophy on Postpartum Support
Postpartum recovery is not about holding the body together. It is about supporting it while it heals, adapts, and regains function.
At Bare Mum, we believe effective postpartum support:
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Respects the connection between the core and pelvic floor
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Encourages movement and reconnection
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Works alongside rehabilitation, not instead of it
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Supports recovery without unnecessary restriction
This philosophy guides every product we design and every decision we make about what we choose to offer.