Girdles after childbirth

[AnnaK]

As someone keen to regain their figure after childbirth (who isn't) and having read some other posts, could someone explain how wearing a constricting girdle helps to regain your figure. If it really does work I might have to get one.
Thanks.

AnnaK, I read somewhere about binding your tummy after the birth to help it go back. Meant to do it but totally forgot in all the excitement. Stomach only starting to look anything near normal now (18 months on - eek!) Wish I had - let us know if it works!

i think breastfeeding can help you regain your figure more quickly after childbirth, as it makes your uterus contract back down to it's normal size more quickly. and of course steering clear of too much chocolate etc during PG should also help!

seriously I think you have enough sore bits after childbirth that the last thing you'ld probably feel like is having your tummy squashed, especially if you've had a C-Section!

After DS1 (natural birth) the midwife told me to sleep on my stomach if possible to help the uterus contract. After day 2 this was impossible because my milk came in! I understand that other cultures see girsdles or binding as normal. I just wanted some feedback, so thanks so far.

I did and it does work, but totally depends on what kind of birth you had as to whether you want to do it.
It took about a week for my stomach to go back to normal. My sister had a c-section and understandably did not wish to bind her stomach....

as a Malay in Malaysia, i have to say we do it all the time, it's part of our culture. you wear a piece of cloth tied tight around your stomach for a few hours during the day for 44 days. the idea is that you're on maternity leave and you're supposed to rest for 44 days in the house and not go anywhere unnecessary ie work, shopping etc. you're waited on hand and foot by mum, or mil or a hired confinement lady, who also cooks you healthy meals with lots of meat and stuff to help you produce lots of breastmilk. no idea if the girdle really works. mum made me bind my stomach but i normally took it off when she wasn't looking!!! twas like hell on earth. it wasnt painful or anything, but the damn thing made me feel like a mummy and was so constricting that i couldnt move much at all!!

sorry if not helpful. but my mum swears by it. she had three kids but had a waist like a wasp's even in her late 40s!!

and of course all the confinement ladies swear by it too...

my mum had thid when she had my sister in the 60's.it was just done a s amtter of course