Pregnancy is a wonderful and life-changing experience, but you'll have to carry a child for approximately 40 weeks. This means certain body parts will get stretched and strained as it accommodates another human being.

A belly band eases discomfort and pressure so you can continue to walk around and do things you want. Here are a few reasons why you should use a maternity belly band.

What are Pregnancy Belly Bands For?

A pregnancy belly band or maternity belt is shaped like a belt and wraps around your lower abdomen. It compresses the area and offers extra lower back support, thereby alleviating the most common discomforts.

The support garment is flexible and provides many benefits especially as you enter your second and third trimester.

What Benefits Can You Get From Using a Maternity Belt?

A belly belt or belly band can lend the following benefits:

Reduced Aches and Pains 

Belly belts effectively spread your baby's weight, which makes it more manageable for moms. Lower body muscles, including the back and connected joints and ligaments won't be strained as much.

Lower Risks of Falling 

They provide excellent balance by stabilizing your pelvis.

Easier Exercise 

Much like a sports bra, a maternity wrap allows for a safer workout. It supports most day to day activities, including walking around the house or office and lets you take your mind off things and focus on the tasks ahead.

Better Posture 

A belly band adds to your center of gravity and stabilizes the lower back and abdomen. A study discovered how it gave more women slightly improved posture on all trimesters.

It can double as a teaching tool and naturally stops back overextensions. Furthermore, it can prevent the classic 'swayback' appearance due to the weakening of core muscles and the extra weight that comes with the baby.

Reduced Leg Swelling

When the weight is evenly distributed leg and lower back strain becomes less pronounced and therefore, you experience reduced leg swelling.

Post-Pregnancy Support

A belly band becomes useful even after pregnancy. It provides faster ligament and muscle healing in the abdominal area and reduces discomfort that comes from weakness and strains.

It's not unusual to experience wore weakness after giving birth. Your ligaments will need time to get back to their original shape and heal, and this is where a belly band can come in handy. By itself, it can bring your abdominal muscles back in and close the gap, leading to faster recovery.

Tips on How to Choose and Use the Right Maternity Belt

Before buying a maternity belt it's best to check with your doctor and see if it's a good option.

Once you get the green light, then you should pick the right belt according to your pre-pregnancy size.

The best kind of belly belts are the ones that are made of soft and stretchable material, such as spandex or cotton. They should be flexible while being firm and lend excellent support in the abdominal area.

Also, the band should be easy to clean since you'll be using it most of the day. They should be machine-washable.

If you don't have time to sort through available maternity band options, then we'd recommend KeaBabies Maternity Support Belt. It comes in Midnight Black or Classic Ivory and made from breathable and high quality mesh for utmost comfort. Plus, you get a gentle yet firm kind of support so you can stay active and experience reduced pregnancy pains all throughout. Your lower back, pelvis and abdomen will thank you for it!

Wear the Maternity Band Snugly

Snug means that the belly wrap isn't too tight that it causes pain or discomfort, and not too loose that it comes off or doesn't support your abdomen and lower back.

Follow the instructions that come in with the product so you can achieve a snug fit every time.

Don't Wear It All Day

Most manufacturers recommend wearing their bands for up to four hours a day. Going more than that can reduce airflow, make it hot and uncomfortable and may become too restrictive in general.

The best time to wear it is when you're most uncomfortable. However, remember to take it off after the recommended time to encourage blood flow to the vital areas.