Belly band and belts: Mom’s helpful accessories

You may be wondering what the difference is between a belly band and a belly belt. And, more importantly how they can help you. A belly band is primarily designed to keep your pants from falling down during your pregnancy, whereas, a belly belt offers support for your growing belly and other discomfort brought on by the changes in your body’s size.

As your belly gets bigger, your clothes will get smaller. Having a belly band allows you to keep your pants or skirts unbuttoned or unzipped so that you can wear your pregnancy clothes longer. Its mission: cover the section of skin exposed from where your top ends and where your pants begins.

Belly bands are wide, circular strip of fabric (think tube top) specially designed to fit around your mid-section. They have to be stretchy in order to stay up, stay on and “grow” as your little one grows. Most are made from a combination of fibers such as cotton + Spandex or Lycra.

Some can be secured with Velcro which can be adjusted depending on your shape and size, while others can’t. Belly bands with wider, rather than narrower, hems on the top and the bottom tend to sit flatter and reduce the likelihood of the band “rolling” in on itself.

Manufacturers of belly bands claim that they are great as “wardrobe extenders.” That’s because you can wear your pre-pregnancy clothes longer and your larger maternity clothes sooner (which is great way to save money on maternity clothing).

If you are planning to have a few babies or you feel you are going to wear your belly band a lot, it may be worthwhile for you to get a better quality one in the most practical color, e.g. black or navy (although they come in plenty of colors and patterns), so you can wear it often.

Because belly bands stretch, walking, bending, breathing and getting up and down from a sitting position shouldn’t be hard. If it feels like it is, it’s probably time to loosen the band or buy the next size up.

In the first and second trimester of pregnancy, some women choose to fold their belly band in half because it doesn’t need to cover as much tummy area. But as their pregnancy advances, the band can be worn fully expanded. in the first couple of months after your baby is born, you’re unlikely to fit back into your pre-pregnancy clothes.

Some women also find wearing an additional layer provides a feeling of support for their tummy. If you are in the later stages of your pregnancy, carrying twins or multiples or retaining excess fluid, then you may find a belly band is a comfortable option.

A belly belt, also called a maternity or pregnancy belt, is a great product to invest in if the weight of your belly is starting to cause you discomfort. It can also help you feel more comfortable and secure.

It’s a specially designed band that wraps around, and under, your belly, giving you better support and relieving some of the strain on your back, pelvis and muscles.

The band will generally have a sturdy but narrow, stretchy panel of fabric that wraps around the front lower part of your belly, which is secured by the more structured back and side straps. The fabric at the back and sides of the band is less stretchy than the portion at the front. Others are stretchy all the way around.

When you shop for a belly belt, it’s important to find one that solves your pregnancy issues, and most importantly, feels comfortable.

Your belly belt should:

Support what needs support. Different belts will provide more support for different areas depending on where your discomfort is located.
Fit you correctly. It’s unlikely that a belly belt that is too loose will provide you with the support you need or relieve any of your discomfort. On the other hand, one that fits too tightly may cause you extra discomfort and could potentially pose health risks to you or your growing baby.
Be sturdy. Look for one that is made from good materials and is a good design. You may need to wear it often so the belt needs to last.

Does a belly band or belt seem like a must-have to get you through your pregnancy? Let the experts help you decide on your shopping options.