Postpartum Belly Binding: What it is and How to Do It

You just spent 9 months carrying another life inside your womb and experiencing a body transformation like no other. In the tender days after birth, your body craves care that is slow, intentional, and deeply supportive. One of the most ancient and beautiful ways to offer your body support is through postpartum belly binding, a gentle practice that offers both physical stability and emotional grounding.

You may have heard whispers about it in doula circles or seen photos of mothers wrapped in soft, woven fabric after birth on social media. But what exactly is belly binding? And how do you know if it’s right for you?

Hi! I’m Hailey Pechan, a postpartum doula located in Phoenix, Arizona. I provide holistic, heart-centered support for new mothers during the transformative postpartum period, honoring their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs while helping them feel deeply seen, nourished, and empowered.

I strive to redefine postpartum care by blending modern knowledge with traditional wisdom, offering compassionate guidance and personalized support that nurtures the whole mother, from conception through postpartum. You can learn more about me and my services here.

Let’s walk through the tradition of postpartum belly binding, the benefits, and the gentle steps to begin.

What is Postpartum Belly Binding?

Belly binding is the postpartum practice of wrapping the abdomen with cloth after giving birth. It is believed to provide support, warmth, and containment during the healing process.

It’s a tradition rooted in cultures across the world, from the Malaysian Bengkung wrap, to Mexican fajas, to Ayurvedic postpartum care in India.

Belly binding isn’t about forcing your body to “snap back.” It’s about holding your center, physically and energetically, as your womb softens, your organs settle, and your sense of self begins to shift into motherhood.

At its core, belly binding is a ritual of remembering, a way to gently support your body while honoring all that it has just done.

What Are The Benefits of Postpartum Belly Binding?

During pregnancy, your body shifts and changes to accommodate your growing baby. Organs move out of their typical position, your abdominal muscles stretch and separate to make space, and even your posture may change. 

Worn properly, wearing a belly bind can provide support to your spine and pelvic floor, as well as offering gentle compression to your abdomen and organs. 

The benefits of postpartum belly binding are both physical and emotional:

Physical Support:

• Encourages abdominal muscles to reengage gently

• Helps organs return to their natural position

• Supports lower back and improves posture (especially while breastfeeding)

• Reduces strain on pelvic floor

• May ease discomfort from uterine cramping or bloating

  
  

Emotional & Energetic Benefits:

• Offers a sense of being “held” during a time of great openness

• Calms the nervous system with soothing pressure

• Provides warmth and grounding in a Vata-sensitive state (according to Ayurveda)

  
  

Many mothers describe feeling more “put back together” after being wrapped, less scattered, more whole.

Is Belly Binding Right for Everyone?

Every postpartum journey is unique, and belly binding isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.

Belly binding may be especially supportive if:

• You had a vaginal birth

• You feel physically or emotionally “ungrounded” after birth

• You’re craving ritual, warmth, or containment

• You want gentle support for your posture and core

  
  

Considerations:

If you’ve had a C-section, it’s essential to wait until your incision has healed and you’ve received approval from your provider. A skilled doula can help guide you through a modified approach, if appropriate.

Always listen to your body, and if it feels too tight, uncomfortable, or emotionally overwhelming, it’s okay to pause.

How to Belly Bind: A Gentle Step-by-Step Guide

What you’ll need:

• A Bengkung belly wrap (long piece of soft cotton or muslin, 15–18 feet)

• A grounding oil (like sesame or calendula)

• A quiet, cozy space

Step 1: Prepare Your Space

Create a calming environment. Light a candle. Put on soft music. Let this be a ritual.

Step 2: Oil the Belly (Optional but Nourishing)

Warm a small amount of oil in your hands and massage your belly gently in circular motions. This helps relax muscles, soften tissues, and connect you to your center.

Step 3: Begin Wrapping

Start just below the hips and work your way up to just under the bust. Each wrap should slightly overlap the one before it, like petals folding in. The wrap should be snug but never tight—imagine a hug, not a squeeze.

Step 4: Tie Off

Once you’ve reached the top, tie the ends into a soft knot. Make sure you can breathe comfortably and move freely.

Step 5: Rest

Wear the wrap for 2–12 hours a day, ideally during periods of rest. Remove if you feel uncomfortable or need a break.

Belly Binding As Part of Holistic Postpartum Care

Belly binding works beautifully alongside other healing rituals during the fourth trimester.

Try combining it with:

• Warm herbal teas to support digestion and calm the nervous system

• Nourishing meals like soups, stews, and kitchari

  
  

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• Abhyanga (warm oil massage) to ground the body and soothe Vata

My favorite massage oils are from Banyan Botanicals.

• Plenty of rest in a cozy postpartum “nest”

The act of wrapping yourself each day can become a sacred ritual: a moment to pause, connect with your body, and affirm:

“I am healing. I am held. I am whole.”

For a detailed checklist of things you can do to prepare for postpartum, grab my Free Postpartum Essentials Checklist.

Final Thoughts: You Deserve to Feel Held

Postpartum isn’t about bouncing back. It’s about returning to your body, your breath, your baby, and your power.

Belly binding is one beautiful way to hold yourself through that return. A quiet reminder that you deserve support, not only for your baby, but for your own heart, muscles, and spirit too.

If you're curious about integrating belly binding into your postpartum journey, as a postpartum doula in Phoenix, Arizona,  I offer in-home and virtual ayurvedic support to guide you with loving care and gentle expertise.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. You deserve to be wrapped in softness, wisdom, and rest.

Let’s create a space where you can land softly. Subscribe to my email to receive monthly newsletters and educational tips, and join my Facebook community to be loved and supported by a village of mothers.

You deserve to be held.