Carrying a baby is one of the most beautiful experiences women have. But it can also be one of the most challenging—not just during the pregnancy, but in the postpartum period as well.

Whether you’re just a few weeks postpartum or it has been quite a few months since you had your baby, some of your challenges might include exhaustion, weakness in your core, breastfeeding around the clock, and struggles with your post-baby weight. And while having a little one around is certainly a delight, it can feel a little bit like your body has been hijacked!

Some of our happiest waist training customers have been new moms—because there are so many benefits to doing it in the postpartum period. It’s not just about losing weight and getting your body back; it’s about feeling strong, confident and healthy. In other words, you want to be the best mom you can be.

Do you know all the benefits of postpartum waist training? You just might be surprised…

Belly Binding Can Aid in Postpartum Recovery

It’s not as common a practice in the U.S. these days, but “belly binding” has been practiced for centuries around the world in the immediate days and weeks following childbirth. It’s the practice of providing gentle compression around the abdomen while the uterus and the rest of the belly contract back to their normal size.

One of the benefits of compression is the added support you get for your back and core while your body is healing naturally. This can also aid in your recovery by increasing blood flow and reducing scar tissue. A wrap can be helpful whether you’ve undergone a C-section or vaginal birth. Get the go-ahead from your doctor, and go ahead and start wrapping within hours after birth.

We carry several products designed exclusively for the immediate postpartum period including the Post Delivery Girdle by Underworks and the Bamboo Belly Bandit. These are soft and gentle, designed to keep dry, and will not irritate your skin following a C-section. They are also customizable so that as your abdomen shrinks, you can adjust them accordingly to provide ongoing compression.

After a few weeks of belly binding, if there are no complications in your recovery, you can start the transition into waist training garments with firmer compression like our shapewear girdles.

Waist Training Provides Extra Back Support

A common complaint among new moms is back pain. And it’s no wonder; after childbirth your core is stretched to the max. Instead of relying on your core muscles, your torso might compensate and put uncomfortable pressure on different parts of your back or hips. While some women can snap back pretty quickly, everyone is different. You might especially have difficulty regaining your core strength after multiple pregnancies.

Some women also experience back pain if they’re breastfeeding due to the extra weight they’re carrying in their breasts. If this is the case with you, you might prefer the extra bust support and back coverage that a vest-style waist trainer will provide.

By wearing a waist trainer, you’ll be improving your posture every time you put it on. This will take the pressure off the wrong places in your spine when you’re tempted to hunch over because of your weak core. A waist trainer is especially helpful if you have to go back to work at an office job, where you’ll likely want to slouch in front of your desk. You’ll feel much more energized and experience less pain with a straight posture—not to mention feel confident with your postpartum figure, which just might make you stand a little taller anyway.

Of course, you don’t want to rely entirely on your waist trainer to improve your posture. The most effective way to prevent back pain is to rebuild your muscle strength, especially in your core, and also in your shoulders and upper back. We recommend using a workout band during strength training to help you make the most out of your workouts. Use resistance exercises or weights several times a week to work on all of those weak muscle groups, and you’ll almost certainly see improvement. Check out some of our workout suggestions here. Be sure to get the go-ahead from your doctor before you do any exercise, especially in that early postpartum period. You’ll want to make sure you are completely healed before you start strengthening your core.

Waist Training Helps You Be More Confident and Motivated

When you’re juggling a newborn or even an older child, making your health and fitness a priority can be a real challenge. Wearing a waist trainer daily can help because it gives you a vision for what you can accomplish.

First of all, you’re going to see immediate results when you put on a waist trainer that fits well. Your belly will be flatter (perhaps for the first time in a long time!) and you’ll see what it looks like when you have an hourglass shape to your midsection, without any muffin top or love handles. We highly recommend taking photos and waist measurements so you can see just how dramatic the effect can be.

Ultimately we believe you should have body confidence no matter what stage you’re at in your fitness journey. The choice you get to make is whether or not you’re going to invest in yourself. By wearing a waist trainer and dressing in clothes that make you feel and look good, you can check off a box on your self-care checklist. This is soooo important as a mom, because a happy mama can contribute to a happy family.

Waist Training is a Stepping Stone To a Healthier Lifestyle

Many women who waist train find that when they see the possibilities while wearing their waist trainer, they have vision to meet their goals. Once they start seeing the long-term results over the course of several weeks or months, they continue to stay motivated. Some people who try waist training don’t incorporate healthy diet and exercise into their routines at first, but eventually it feels so good to see results that they make those changes later. We think that’s pretty inspiring! Check out this story from a new mom to see how it worked for her.

You might also find that when you are wearing a waist trainer for at least 8 hours a day, you’ll be more likely to maintain portion control while you eat. Since the waist trainer constrains your midsection, you’ll find that your stomach won’t comfortably be able to expand when you eat a large meal. In this way you’ll be encouraged to eat several small meals throughout the day, rather than 2–3 large ones. Many doctors and nutritionists recommend this approach to eating as it can help you maintain a steady energy level and avoid overeating.

Lastly, simply having some great workout gear like a brightly colored waist trainer can inspire you to get up and move. Since workout bands intensify your workouts by making you sweat harder, you’ll get more results from your efforts. Whether you’re just getting out and walking with the stroller or you’re doing some serious training, you may find exercise more enjoyable and effective.

Waist Training Can Help Firm Up Your Skin

Here’s a little known secret: when you waist train regularly, particularly while using our specially formulated waist training gel, you can smooth your skin through a combination of increased thermal activity and microcirculation. This can be a huge benefit if you suffer from saggy, stretched out skin, which is all too common among new moms (or even older ones, years later!). While waist training can’t replace the dramatic effects of surgery, if you practice it regularly you might be pleasantly surprised!

It Is Possible To “Get Your Body Back”

While your life will never be the same after you have a baby, it is possible to feel sexy and confident in your postpartum body. Depending on genetics, how much your weight has fluctuated, skin elasticity and other factors, you might not look exactly like you did prior to pregnancy. But just give it time. With determination, a healthy lifestyle, realistic goals, and a waist trainer, you can achieve postpartum body confidence that you can be proud of in just a few months—and beyond as well. And chances are, others will notice and wonder how you got your body back. Most importantly, when you’re taking care of yourself and feeling great about your health, you’re going to be much more equipped to be the best mom you can be.

What are some of your postpartum struggles? Chances are, you’re not the only one who has them. If you need help picking out the perfect waist trainer to help you meet your goals, be sure to check out this waist training guide as well the most current information on our blog, which has many practical tips to make it work. And of course, we have expert stylists waiting to respond to your questions via phone, chat or email. Happy waist training, mamas!