What is Belly Binding?
Is a tradition of postpartum care that is seen across various cultures in the world within the sacred 40 day postpartum period. The bengkung belly bind is a Malaysian tradition with very similar form of binding found in China and Japan where it’s called the ‘sarash’. In Latin America traditional postpartum care bind the belly with a rebozo or a faja to support the uterus and hold in warmth.
What does the belly bind provide?
During pregnancy a substantial amount of pressure is placed on the body, musculoskeletal changes are stimulated by hormone secretions and the continuous expansion of the uterus. In pregnancy the woman’s body retains water, fat and air which cause her body to swell and expand, when a baby is born the excess water, fat and air are no longer needed, the purpose of a post pregnancy wrap is to speed up this process with gentle pressure around the pelvic area and around the abdomen. The wraps are designed to work with each body shape and we work with body mechanics to ensure this serves each individual in the highest and best way possible.
The Bengkung Belly Bind differs to a belly band, as the longer design of the bind and fabric used, provide holistic support to all of the abdominal and pelvic organs, including muscles in the pelvic area. Support to this area is important immediately after births as it helps the cervix shrink and allows the pelvic muscles to heal without being further stretched. It is an effective tool for the postpartum mamas recovery. It aids the postpartum body to shrink and recover in a shorter time period, normally six to eight weeks. As each postpartum journey is different, in addition to nourishment via healing foods and rest, the bind serves as an effective tool for postpartum recovery. The bind has best results when you combine this with the herbal tummy paste mixture which is applied to the belly area prior to applying the bind. It can also support the body in the following ways:
- can provide 360 support to assist the abdominal wall muscle retraction, which can feel supportive if there is lower back discomfort post birth.
- may support improved posture,
- may help to stabilise SI ligaments and pubic joints and provide support to the torso whilst assisting the positioning of the organs within the pelvic bowl post childbirth,
- May continue to support lochia release
What is the bind made from?
The Belly bind is made from 100% cotton batik or muslin and sizes range from 8-16 metres in length. A warming piece (made from cotton flannel) may also used 
over the application of the herbal tummy firming paste which is included (60ml jar).
Which bind should I get?
This is a very personal choice and there are lots of choices available online. I provide the cotton muslin and cotton batik and I usually hem the edges or else these will fray especially if the bind is washed, however if you wish for these to be unhemmed then please let me know, as the turnaround time is much quicker for this. The cotton batik may be more preferable in the winter months then the cotton muslin, which is perfect for warmer summer months.
The sacred belly bind kit includes a belly bind made from either 100% unbleached cotton muslin (hemmed as standard), or cotton batik and is dependent on stock levels. The belly bind kits also have a warming panel as well as the tummy firming paste mixture is included (except the oil).
NB. Batik binds available are dependent on stock. It is recommended that the cotton batik binds are washed before use due to the natural dyes in the manufacturing process. This is very common for the dyes to run even after a few washes. The colour of the bind may also fade over time with regular washing.
For best results:
We commence the belly binding as soon as you can after giving birth but this is ideally around day 5. We recommend wearing this each day for at least 40 days or longer if you wish, remember you are postpartum for up to a year after giving birth and it takes 18 months from all your ligaments to restore themselves. It is recommended that you wear the wrap for 10-12 hours a day in the beginning if possible and you remove this in the evening before you go to bed.
Can I bind if I had a birth by Caesarean or other interventions?
It is best to wait until 6 weeks postpartum and once your scar has healed post caesarean birth, the belly bind will still serve to offer great benefits for you, you must not apply the tummy firming paste until after your scar has fully healed, please consult with your midwife. However, if you wish to use this before the 6 weeks you must consult your GP or your midwife. For all other interventions during birth such as tears, blood loss, infection, please be guided by your body and ensure that you consult with your midwife.
Services on offer:
There are two service options to select- either (a) belly binding kit including herbal paste or (b) the complete sacred belly binding service:
- Order the Belly binding kit including herbal paste as detailed below (£75), or
- Select the complete package- The sacred belly binding service (£195), this is provided within your own home. This includes: the batik/ unbleached cotton muslin belly bind, warming piece, tummy firming paste herbs, hot stone abdominal massage including herbs, placing you over warmed stones and as well as the binding service, moxabustion may be offered but is your choice on the day.
- Each additional binding session is provided at a fee of £75 per wrap session
- Optional extras available: combine your Belly Binding with other postpartum services, such as closing the hips or others.
If you have your own bind and wish to add any of the mother warming services to this please get in touch. You can also purchase the following from me as standalone services:
– Travel charges (calculated by mileage) and call out fee of £25 apply if outside of home area within the London area. Outside of London the call out fee is £50. Zoom tutorials are also available and equally as beneficial.
Please note- my home visiting service for all postpartum services is popular so I would encourage early booking.
Ordering a Belly Bind:
The wrap is handmade with love and intention, I use a range of energy based techniques to ensure that this will assist your postpartum journey for the highest good.
If you wish to purchase the belly binding kit it is £75* (postage and packaging fee applies if you are not having the binding session – postage is an additional £8 for standard post 48 hour tracked delivery). Please contact me with your material preference and pre pregancy size, please note the muslin belly binds are very popular and I sell out very quickly, to commission a bind please get in touch. I require a minimum of 2 weeks notice due to priority of other orders and other commitments. Short notice orders are provided based on the stock available.
**Refunds are not possible once the order is processed**.
NB. travel expenses/mileage will be charged if outside of a 5 mile radius from TW12.
