Belly binding is a postpartum tradition that is found in many cultures throughout the world, and Bengkung belly binding specifically is rooted in Malaysian culture. Belly binding is the art of wrapping a postpartum woman’s belly for physical support and to help facilitate recovery after birth and involves a technique in which a long strip of fabric is wrapped from just below the breasts to the hips. Traditionally, women are wrapped around day five after birth and for forty days after. In our culture, binding for the the full forty days is often impractical, and most women typically opt to bind for five or ten days. The belly binding should be worn for 10-12 hours, either during the day or at night. Women who have had a Cesarean birth should wait at least 6 weeks to allow the incision to heal before being wrapped.

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Benefits of your belly binding include:​

• It feels great as it pulls in the separated abdominal muscles (a.k.a. diastasis recti) 

• Support for your hips and organs as the body returns to pre-pregnancy state

• Encourages you to rest as  binds limit vigorous activity.

• Allows for body’s natural spine and posture realignment following birth.

• Stability for your loose ligaments naturally caused after birth by the relaxin hormone

• Speeds up the healing process & shortens postpartum bleeding time

• Encourages good posture while walking, feeding or holding your baby; thus reducing or preventing back strain

• May reduce your postpartum “pooch” quicker and help relieve the "empty" uterus feeling

• Promotes healthy bowl function to remove excess fluid and gas bubbles after labor

• Encourages daily self-care for you

• Assists with emotional release and healing whatever your birth story

• Helps during your monthly cycle to relieve discomfort and promote regular cycles

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Your belly binding package includes your choice of a hand dyed or plain muslin wrap and a one on one session in your home to bind you and to teach either someone else to bind you or to teach you to bind yourself so that you may experience the benefits of binding daily. (Additional in person binding sessions may be purchased for an additional fee.)

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To schedule your belly binding session or talk about how belly binding might benefit you, contact us!  Birth workers can also contact us to be trained in this skill.