The best postpartum belts to support your post-pregnancy body

The Belly Bandit was Shortlisted in the 2016 Mother and Baby Awards in the Best Pregnancy/Maternity Product category.

Belly Bandit products aim to make a new mum feel better in her body by helping the healing process after birth and supporting those hard-working muscles following pregnancy. Belly Bandit claims that the wrap can speed up healing with PowerCompress Core technology, and some reviewers agree that they did think the wrap helped support them and make things easier after birth.

Although postpartum wraps cannot reduce belly fat, the BFF Belly Wrap aims to shrink the tummy, waist, and hips while minimising stretch marks, although this is not scientifically proven. One of our mum testers, Jennifer, says that it gave her a feeling of security after birth when she was feeling very fragile. She was also impressed with how comfortable it was, explaining that it "gave me strength where my muscles seemed tired after birth," while another reviewer said she needed a smaller size after just three weeks.

It supports your back and core muscles, which helps to make daily activities and exercises more comfortable, especially while caring for a newborn, as well as support during breastfeeding, which can be demanding on your back, especially after just giving birth. We like that it is made from breathable elastic medical-grade material and that the six support panels are flexible and adjustable. Plus the material is eco-friendly too. The corset-inspired design is comfortable and supportive, and customers reported that they did feel more confident and felt it helped their waist get back some definition. However, some reviewers thought it didn't adjust to different sizes very well, and sometimes the top or bottom would roll up.

We like that this increases confidences for mums when they feel they are lacking it, as well as helping support abdominal separation and it is suitable for use after a C-section. Plus it is available in a range of sizes from XS to XL as well as two colour choices.

Read our full Belly Bandit BFF Belly Band review

It’s easy to wear this during your pregnancy and after birth when your tummy still needs support, and you’re not yet back in your pre-pregnancy jeans because it is comfortable and not too rigid in its support. Plus, users noted that it washes well and can be worn regularly during pregnancy and post-birth without losing shape.

We like it as a great budget option, but it won't offer the medical compression or muscle support of some postpartum belts. It is very lightweight, which does mean you won't get as much support. That said, mums commented that it is very soft and seamless, making it comfortable to wear. Plus, it is not too thick, so you don't get too hot.

One reviewer said it was a must-have after her C-section. She used the hospital-grade support belt for about six weeks and then this belt for a few months, and she liked the extra reinforcement it gave her over her C-section incision. While it does provide support during pregnancy and postpartum, some customers say that it comes up a little small, so you might need to size up to prevent it from bunching up.

There is a 'stay put silicone' stripthat helps the band stay in place, and reviewers agreed that the band doesn't slip or move around. Some testers preferred the moderate support it provided and were impressed with its durability.

This postpartum belt offers three-in-one support: a belly band, waist belt, and pelvis binder. While that may sound quite intense or even a little uncomfortable, customers liked that the fabric is breathable and stretchy. One reviewer commented that it is very easy to use and feels great quality. This does offer quite strong support, and while it might be too much for everyone, it will help you regain strength postpartum.

With two sizes available from 10-14 (L) and 16-20 (XL) there should be a fit for everyone, although it is adjustable too using velcro straps. Some reviewers found that they couldn't wear this directly next to their skin because it can be itchy or irritating, even rubbing their skin a little, so you need to wear a cami or thin t-shirt underneath, which means it can appear a bit bulky. Therefore it won't really help define your shape after giving birth like some belts, but it will provide healing support.

Some reviewers noted that it has three parts that can be used interchangeably to offer varying degrees of support and in the area you need it. Reviewers liked this aspect; some preferred using just one part of the belt, while others used all three for maximum support. Our testers generally found this belt very secure and said it stayed in place all day. While it is bulky, mums generally agreed it is not uncomfortable and does offer good support following a C-section.

You wear this flexible band around your hips following the birth of your baby, helping to ease them back to their pre-pregnancy size and shape. While this is a great idea, there is no scientific proof that postpartum belts can help with reshaping, or weight loss, they do however, offer support.

Our testers did think it helped with shaping, though, with one mum tester, Laura, saying, "I bought mine five days postpartum, and within two days, I could already see a difference." She added that she feels well supported and it's comfortable to wear for long periods. Another reviewer added, "This product has been great, it allows me to wear my pre-pregnancy skinny jeans, and it flattens my tummy." So, while it is not scientifically proven, mums do feel this product does help with getting back their pre-pregnancy shape.

This postpartum belt is also particularly good at supporting the back and helps with sciatic pain, as well as bladder discomfort (and we ALL know about that post-birth, don’t we?) We also like how the compression helps to aid circulation, in turn minimising stretch marks. One mum said that she wishes she had bought it sooner because it supported her bump while pregnant and then was a "tremendous help with my back pain postpartum."

Customers said that they would recommend the product to expectant mums because of its price, ease of use, and function. We love that it can be used in pregnancy and postpartum. For use in pregnancy, the belt adjusts to your growing bump and can comfortably lift and support you. Post-birth, you can wrap it around your hips for back support and to define your shape. Some testers found that the belt bends over time, and the level of support reduces, but in those early days when support is really needed, it is helpful.

We love that you can choose from two colours, either black or beige, and it is also available in two sizes, extra small or large, so it should suit everyone.

This popular postpartum band is great for both during pregnancy and after birth, which customers love. It offers secure support and, in particular, helps with core strength. Testers noted that it is discreet beneath clothes, making them feel confident. However, a few reviewers commented on the velcro, which can rub when against the skin and so recommend that you wear a cami under the belt rather than directly against the skin and also limit the time you wear it because it can become uncomfortable when worn for long periods of time.

Some testers also found that the velcro can weaken over time and reduce the support provided, especially if it loses its grip, which is disappointing if you want to use it throughout pregnancy and postpartum. However, we like the booklet that comes with the belt detailing exercises for each stage of pregnancy and postpartum because it helps mums take control of their recovery by doing some gentle but appropriate exercises for whatever stage they are at.

Customers commented that it supports but also relieves pain, especially round ligament painduring pregnancy, which is a big plus. Reviewers also found it provides relief during exercise, daily chores, and walking.

We like that it is fully adjustable and breathable, and users say it fits well. Even better, it is available in a wide range of sizes from size 8 to 20, which is unusual for postpartum belts, which typically have one or two size options available. You can also choose from three different colours: black, white, and nude.

Offering support in pregnancy and after birth, the BabyGO belt uses micro-thread technology and is made from two-way stretch fabric, which is lightweight and comfortable to wear. It offers safe support and helps with aches and pains during each trimester and after the baby is born. Plus, we love that it has been recommended by paediatricians.

This belt is advertised as being comfortable to wear all day and even following a C-section, and our testers agreed that it helped to reduce discomfort post birth, as well being comfortable to wear for longer periods. This is partly because the inside is made with soft material which goes against your skin, so it doesn't irritate or rub and doesn't require any extra layers or clothes to be worn underneath.

At just 2mm thick, we like that it is discreet and not bulky to wear when out and about or busy caring for a baby, unlike other postpartum bands, which can be quite bulky under clothes. Nevertheless, despite being thin, it supports your core and helps if you are suffering from Diastasis Recti by closing the gaps between abdominal muscles, which reviewers really liked.

Our testers loved how easy it is to wear and that it is machine washable, unlike others, which are hand-washed only. One reviewer said the belt is very easy to put on and makes her feel well-supported and protected. She really liked the soft material, which is unlike other belts full of synthetic fabrics/elastics.

Reviewers were impressed with how it eases pain, and one mum said, " I bought this as everything felt very loose and unsupported after giving birth (naturally). It’s helped me heal. It also helps with my pelvic and lower back pain post-baby." However, some reviewers said that although it is comfortable, it does tend to move while wearing it during the day and sometimes rolls up, which can be annoying. On the plus side, we noted that it is made from premium spandex material, which means it is easy to wear while sitting down and doesn't have to be removed for breastfeeding, leaving you free to go about your daily activities while wearing it.

This postpartum band can be worn straight after childbirth regardless of if you had a vaginal birth or C-section. However, it cannot be worn during pregnancy, so a separate pregnancy support belt will need to be purchased if needed, which not all reviewers found ideal. That said, our testers found that post-birth, this belt provides all the support needed to help your body recover.

We like that it uses dual compression technology to support core muscles, especially those weakened by hormones and the effects of pregnancy in the pelvis, as well as the softened ligaments. It is supportive for your back and hips as well as your core, which we think is great. By wearing this belt as you recover from pregnancy and birth, it will help alleviate back, stomach and pelvic pain, as well as improving posture.

One customer commented that the band is of great quality and fits really well around the waist, while another reviewer said that she tried a different band straight out of the hospital, but this one was much better, and she wore it while walking with the pram. Plus she added that it is lovely and soft on the inside and agreed that the fit is good. It is latex-free and hypoallergenic, which is why it is so skin-friendly and why our testers found it comfortable against their skin.

We noted that it is also a popular choice for mums getting back into exercise, and they commented that it really helped them feel supported while starting to work out again, adding that they didn't overheat or feel sweaty when wearing it. By combining this belt and some light, appropriate postpartum exercise, mums can start to regain strength and confidence, which we love.