Cultures around the world utilize belly binding as an essential part of postpartum care. Techniques vary, but most involve starting with an application of a warming paste on the abdomen. Then, winding a strip of muslin cotton around the abdomen we form a frontal ‘spine’ with a series of knots. We always start from the pubic bone and work up to the sternum.
A Cultural Caregiving
In Malaysia, traditional belly binding is called bengkung (meaning undergarment or girdle).1 Bengkung belly binding is practiced 12 hours a day during the confinement period (42-44 days). The womb is considered the center of woman’s whole well-being, and she seldom leaves her bed during this time. Mother’s are fed, bathed, warmed, and wrapped by loved ones. It’s all about healing and bonding!
The supportive binding promotes healing and support to the postpartum body. Women often experience swelling, sluggish digestion, temperature swings, hormonal surges, and slow circulation as the body lets go of the last bits of pregnancy. Sometimes a sensation of emptiness in the womb or being off-balance occurs too. The body expels unnecessary water, fat, air, hormones, and blood – all so important to our pregnant body and baby’s development. Another aspect of the postpartum period is that of emotional transition into motherhood. The body has spent its pregnancy filling with life and preparing mom for this new phase. Belly binding offers an emotional sense of closure to her previous self as she embraces her own birth into motherhood.
Full benefits of belly binding
- Helps regain non-pregnancy form of ribcage, belly, and hips.
- For mild cases of diastasis recti, it encourages drawing in and support of abdominal muscles.
- It is holistic in nature, utilizing only herbal methods.
- Supports the body’s natural spine, core muscles and posture realignment.
- Prevents slouching while nursing which can cause additional muscle strain.
- Draws organs toward the core in a supportive, upward lift, taking pressure off the abdominal muscles and pelvic floor.
- Often reduces postpartum bleeding time by supporting the uterus in a contracted position and overall support to the womb. This support encourages involution (shrinking) of the uterus.
- Herbs/oils improve circulation and digestion through ‘warming’ properties.
- The wrap itself increases core warmth promoting better circulation.
- Provides emotional comfort for postpartum anxiety/depression, birth trauma, and bereavement.
- Encourages mom to rest as it limits movements such as bending down, twisting, lifting from the floor, etc.
Relaxin is a remarkable hormone that a woman’s body creates when preparing for birth. It allows the bones, organs and ligaments to shift and become flexible for baby’s passage through the birth canal. Relaxin remains in the body during early postpartum months making it an ideal time to belly bind as the hips, organs, ribs, and muscles are malleable for quite some time.
Spices aren’t just for cooking
Traditionally, a warming paste (bentonite clay, cloves, cinnamon, black pepper, ginger, kaffir lime, calendula, and turmeric mixed with a carrier oil) is applied to the abdomen prior to wrapping the belly. Those herbs contain ‘warm’ properties that when applied to the skin mildly increase core warmth. Warming the body increases circulation of blood. In turn, it promotes faster healing and speeds up digestion – both important to postpartum healing. For women that don’t want to use the paste, essential oils can be substituted with carrier oil instead.
What does a typical binding session look like?
For American mamas interested in belly binding, a version of the Malay bengkung can be adapted. It isn’t considered ‘traditional’ binding unless utilized to the extent of the Malay confinement period. That said, the benefits are similar if practiced in even a shortened amount of time.
I suggest binding for at least five consecutive days for 12 hours at a time (the more days, the better). I encourage moms to bind late in the evening right before going to go to bed. It is not necessary to bind at night however, it will be snug. For comfort (and to help it stay in place), lying down is optimal. Unless you have full-time care available during the day, it’s easier to get your wrapped hours in at night.
An evening of belly binding
This is just an example of what an evening with belly binding looks like. When I come to wrap you, my time is yours for the evening. Newborn life is unpredictable, and I fully anticipate going with the flow.
- I arrive at your house at 7:30 P.M.
- I check in with you to make sure you’ve eaten dinner and see where I’m most needed.
- I (or your care team) take baby while you bathe and get ready for bed. (If baby is being cared for, I will make you tea, clean up dinner, change bedding, etc).
- We will talk through your day, giving you time to nurse baby, have a snack, use the bathroom, etc.
- Once settled, I will apply the warming paste/oils (if you choose) with cover slip and then the wrap.
- I’ll check in with your care team before leaving or finish up odds and ends, if time permits.
Outside of other activities, it usually takes about 20 minutes to get the full wrap on. Baby can absolutely stay with us and I’m happy to baby wear while wrapping mom if baby needs soothing. This is also a great time for dad to bond with baby – diaper changing, readying for bed, bouncing to sleep, etc.
Mom determines the snugness of the wrap and can easily adjust as we apply it. It should feel like a supportive hug, but never painful. As the evenings go by, most women tend to increase the tightness of the binding. It’s also easy to remove, so when you’re ready to take it off, you can do so independently.
Belly binding limitations
As with many postpartum practices, results of belly binding will vary. Some mamas may not be good candidates for binding. While bengkung belly binding is considered safe, certain health concerns may prevent some from safely binding. Women experiencing extreme diastasis recti (requiring surgery), significant hemorrhoid discomfort, recovering from surgery, significant organ prolapse (uterine, bladder or rectal), or significant incontinence should consult their doctor prior to any binding. Women that have had c-sections are eligible for binding after the 6-week recovery period or once their incision heals.1
I was honored to obtain my Postpartum Belly Binding certification in 2022 based on these traditional Malay bengkung techniques. If you have questions, you can find more information here or reach out to me personally to chat!
1Learn Belly Binding https://www.learnbellybinding.com/
Belly binding images shared with permission from Positive Body Mind and Baby, LLC