Belly Binding is a term used for wrapping the abdomen between the hips and the sternum with a long piece of cloth, usually as a healing practice in postpartum people.
It is a practice that has its roots in many indigenous cultures.
They all bring their own individual spin to the practice, maybe by the way they wrap the cloth, the herbs they use beneath the wrap or the time frame within which they wrap…but all in all, the practice is supportive of physical, emotional and spiritual healing no matter how it is done.
No wonder so many western people are jumping at the chance to try it out.
I was lucky enough to be taught the art of Bengkung Belly Binding by a Malay friend while studying to be a Birth Worker. The practice is almost an art form, and the wraps themselves are stunningly beautiful.
But Bengkung is just one part of the traditional Malaysian postpartum care and recovery method. It revolves around 44 days of confinement as its basis, believing this time in confinement is fundamental to repairing the postpartum body, maintaining youthful beauty and fertility, and guarding against ill health in old age.
It is widely believed that many health repercussions will follow if this tradition is not adhered to, including joint pain, weight gain, migraines, and low mood.
During this time of confinement, as well as belly binding, there are other traditional practices that are used, including restricting the diet to only “warming” foods, entering and exiting confinement with three days of soft tissue massage, pelvic steaming and womb or hot stone massage.
So why do so many cultures have Belly Binding traditions?
Because the benefits of Belly Binding speak for themselves:
Core Support: The way the bindings wrap around your abdomen provides great support to your core, especially if you have diastasis recti until you are able to implement a core strengthening routine. You should consult a professional before beginning any core strengthening exercises if you have diastasis recti, so you don’t worsen the problem.
Pelvic Support: Belly Binding takes advantage of the relaxin left in the body from pregnancy to gently encourage your hips and pelvis to return to their pre-pregnancy state.
Posture Support: One of the first things you will hear when you learn how to position yourself to nurse baby is “bring the baby to the nipple, not the nipple to the baby”. This means don’t lean forward and strain your neck to feed. Sit back, relax, and bring baby to you. Belly Binding assists with this by simply encouraging your body to have good posture while you feed.
Shortened Involution Time: Belly Binding applies gentle pressure and support to your uterus and helps it contract and shrink to pre-pregnancy size a little quicker, which also reduces your bleeding time.
Emotional/Spiritual Wellbeing: Wrapping yourself with the comfort and care you deserve is a valuable addition to your daily routine and helps you recognise that you are just as important as your new little love. Enjoy the excuse to take some time and listen to what your healing body is telling you it needs while you warmly wrap your belly with love and acknowledge that it has worked so hard for you and your baby.
If you want to learn more about Bengkung Belly Binding, jump on the link and get a ticket to my Learn Belly Binding Class.
