Benkung Belly Binding in Postpartum

FULL CIRCLE BIRTH COLLECTIVE

Happy Baby Moon. Wishing you a smooth recovery!

Thank you for your purchase of this handcrafted Benkung Belly Bind

Belly binding is the sacred practice of nurturing and caring for the birthi of honouring it, for the work it has done in bringing life earthside Birth is a ss, of being raw and vulnerable - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually Belly binding is a way to encourage closure and the act of sealing the experience of pregnancy and birth, easing everything back into place, bringing warmth, support for the back and encouraging healing.

As you learn the art of binding yourself, take the time to connect with your body, the ways it has changed and adapted , growing and nurturing your little one Give reverence for this is an important way to give back to yourself, create space in your day to nurture and support your body as it heals and recovers

We wish you a lovely baby moon together and a smooth recovery

Kindly,

Sonya Duffee Owner, Full Circle belly Binding Artist, Doula, CBE

Benefits that may be experienced by Belly Binding

Regular use of the Benkung Belly bind aids in supporting your postpartum recovery and healing, although everyone's experieince is different, some common benefits that you may find with it's use are:

Supporting the internal organs

Assist in abdominal wall retraction and diastasis recovery

Reduce the postpartum swelling that any experience following after birth

Encourage good posture especially noticed when feeding and holding baby

Encourages spinal realignment and support

Improves circulation

Reduced water retention

Encourages closing and reshaping of the hips and rib cage

Helps lessen postpartum bleeding

Supports the pelvic floor

Lessens after pains

Best time to begin binding

It's recommended to begin binding one week after a vaginal delivery and six weeks after a ceserean birth. The bind is most effective for use in the first 8 weeks to maximize the most benefits of its use. There are no hard rules for how long to wear the bind, this will be dependant on many factors. Generally if you can wear it for the majority of the day or for at least 1/2 the day, this may offer you the most support and comfort Please note it is not recommended to sleep with the bind on

Belly Binding kit

Your handcrafted Benkung Belly bind includes the wrap itself and a protective belly band to wear if uses any oils or creams that may stain your bind It is not necessary to wear the belly band, unless you find comfort in doing so Wash in cold water and hang to dry to avoid shrinkage

ATTIC

The Fine Art of Belly Binding

The art of belly binding can be confusing at first and can be a learning curve as you understand the knotting system and degree of tightness to provide support, but not constraint or discomfort. It should never constrict breathing or be too tight that it puts pressure from the top down onto the pelvic floor muscles, pushing downward ( Like a tube of tooth paste being pushed out) The bind should feel comfortable and supportive at all times wearing it

Step 1 or put optional belly band on first Step 2: Step 3 go around hips Step 4 pull tail around to knot and continue

Key tips for Belly Binding

Be sure that you have pulled one end ( the tail) to your mouth for measurements

Fan the fabric out around the bottom covering your hip bones

Make the first tie around your hip tightly and then knot so it stays in place

The tail is the only piece that moves up and over the long piece

The wrapping should be firm but not too tight that you cant breathe properly

Step 5 work way around hips and twist at centre

Continue Step 6, 7, 8 to complete

This optional belly band goes on underneath wrap Enjoy your new baby and wrap

Step by Step Guide to Belly Binding

Try not to let the length of the bind overwhelm you Once you get organized and begin the steps, the more you practice, the better you will get Soon it will become second nature and you will find you don't even need to think through the steps, you will find your hands just know Be patient, it will get to this point, the more you practice

Take a deep breathe, you can do this! You just birthed a baby. You can do anything you set your mind to. Start by grounding your body and mind, be aware of your posture and relax your pelvic floor Always start your wrap low at the pubic bone and not above the hips

Wear comfortable clothing or a skirt to make bathroom breaks easier than pants, that you may not be able to remove if wrapped over the waist.

Some people have found that by placing the bind in a bag and pulling the bind from the bag as needed can help contain the length of the bind and make it easier to manage when wrapping

Step 1 If using the optional belly band, tie around your naked belly Usually the band is used over lotions or oils to protect the bind from being stained.

Step 2. Create the short end of the tail. One side of the tail will always remain short. This can be measured by using the end holding it on the pubic bone and measuring to the forehead Let it drop

Step 3. Wrap the long end of the tie to the short end, know tightly Be sure to go low over the hips without causing discomfort and tie a half knot

Step 4. Pull the shorter end up straight - if doing this by yourself some people find putting the end of fabric and holding with your teeth can keep it straight.

Step 5. Pull a section from the bag. Taking that longer section, flare the fabric out as close to the knot head as possible Your goal is to get the knots to line up in a straight line as your wrap

Step 6. Pulling tightly upwards on the section being held by your mouth, use equal pressure to wrap the longer section directly on top your initial wrap Do this by passing the bag behind you

Step 7 Keep the tension on both pieces, remove the shorter one from your mouth and pull it downward, overlapping the other section.

Step 8. Swoop the fabric down towards your feet, under the other piece, and then back up to your mouth and pull tightly

Continue these steps until you run out of fabric or to the height you are comfortable with Any long ends can be tucked into the side of the wraps on either side