Belly Bandit Giveaway

I have been majorly slacking in the giveaway department lately so I thought there is no better way to head into the Fall season, than with the start of some new giveaways!

This giveaway is for a Belly Bandit Original in Nude.  This is the perfect item for any new mom trying to flatten her postpartum belly.  Even if you have not just given birth in the last few months, you will still love the support that the Belly Bandit offers.  My youngest child is 2 years old and I still throw on my Belly Bandit from time to time.  I just love the way it makes my back and torso area feel so much more supported!  Do keep in mind that in order to see maximum benefits, the Belly Bandit is designed to be worn as soon as possible after delivery.  Here is some more information about the Belly Bandit:

Hey diddle diddle, you’re unhappy with your middle? Well, you’re about to be over the moon!  For this little band, will give you a hand, to get back in your skinny jeans soon!

Ok…Let’s get serious. Your questions and our answers:

WHAT is this miracle-working, belly banding goodness all about?
The Belly Bandit™ is an abdominal compression wrap designed to assist you in bringing your body back to its former beauty and proportion after child birth. Postpartum wraps have been known to help reduce the swelling of the uterus, decrease bloating caused by water retention, support your legs & back and provide additional comfort and support for you breast feeding moms. Ultimately the Belly Bandit™ will aid in getting you back to your pre-pregnancy bod faster than ever!

WHY haven’t I heard of the Belly Bandit™ before?
That’s what we said when we found out about postpartum wrapping of the belly! Who knew? Smart women around the world that’s who! The binding of a woman’s abdomen post delivery has been used therapeutically for centuries all over the globe. It is believed that increased and constant pressure against the abdominal area has benefits such as, flattening the belly and redefining the waistline while helping you keep your back straight minimizing associated pain and fatigue. We’ve just perfected a comfy garment that is tailored to your body after giving birth..

WHEN can I start sportin’ my Belly Bandit™?
You can start using it as soon as the day after you give birth (even after a c-section)! Wearing the Belly Bandit™ after a c-section may help to decrease post-op recovery time by minimizing associated incision pain, which allows greater mobility post-surgery! We recommend prior to use that you consult your physician.

WHO will know I’m wearing a Belly Bandit™?
Only those who you want to know! Relax ladies, first of all this is NOT a girdle. This is simply a breathable and comfy exclusively tailored belly wrap to assist your body in regaining its former beauty and proportion after child birth. The Belly Bandit™ provides strong support to relieve discomfort and give you the extra confidence you deserve post partum. Our smooth lightweight construction is designed for you to wear comfortably under all of your clothes and our tagless design won’t irritate your skin. We may be biased, but we actually think it’s kinda cute.

HOW do I wash My Belly Bandit™?
Your Belly Bandit should be hand washed. Please make sure to wash it in cold water and air or line-dry. Do not wring this in order to remove excess water as it may damage the strength of the piece. Washing in hot water or drying with an electric or gas dryer may also damage the product and cause shrinkage. The drying process can take up to 12 hours. Due to the continuous periods of time you are advised to wear the Belly Bandit it is recommended to purchase two. Having two will enable you to always have a freshly clean one available while the other is being washed.

FOR MAXIMUM RESULTS
We suggest you wear the Belly Bandit™ snuggly around your waist day and night, (if discomfort occurs remove and consult with your doctor). Just take it off to shower…then wrap yourself right back up again! The Belly Bandit™ should be worn at least 6-8 weeks post delivery to reach maximum benefits. The Belly Bandit™ should fit snug with constant pressure on the belly, but without any impact on breathing, circulation or discomfort in your ribs. As always diet and exercise play an integral part when trying to reach your pre-pregnancy size.

Here’s what makes our Belly Bandit™ Collection oh so special….

Goldilocks has nothing on us. We’ve scrutinized and tested every last detail to make you the most comfortable and fabulous looking postpartum mommy ever.

• Elastic. Don’t really think about it much, do you? Well, you don’t have to, because we did! Belly Bandit’s™ elastic has the perfect amount of tension to straighten out your back without tightly squeezing you or loosely rolling down your body.

• Material. Instead of sewing pieces of material together, which breaks down the strength of the elastic, we chose to use only one piece of material for our Belly Bandit™. Our design wears better over time because the durability of the elastic isn’t compromised.

• Customized. We have a Beverly Hills OB/GYN on board who helped create and finalize the Belly Bandit™ specifically with the postpartum woman in mind. But don’t worry, we also had the hippest team of hotties in town making sure the Belly Bandit™ is not only functional, but ridiculously cute. From our Basic to Couture to Bamboo, all of our styles are designed to make you smile!

• Comfort. Our rounded soft edges were created so that you don’t have excess material that digs, cuts or jabs your skin. After countless trials of textiles from around the world, we found the perfect materials that don’t bunch under your clothing. Also, our tag-less design won’t irritate your skin.

• Earth-friendly. Our bamboo line is not only environmentally friendly, it’s one of the most natural fibers out there. It’s also three times more durable than cotton. Fabric made from Bamboo is one of the softest, GREENEST, fabrics around. Remember, going green even in the smallest ways will help the planet!

• Economy-friendly. Our Belly Bandit™ Collection is exclusively made in the USA.

Q & A with Dr. Jay

What’ll the ‘ole doc have to say about all of this?
‘Ole doc’ll tell you that wrapping the abdomen after a c-section actually helps decrease post-op recovery time by minimizing associated incision pain, which allows for greater mobility post-surgery. While the Belly Bandit™ wrap is not medically necessary, our Mommy clients love the feel of everything being pulled-in and woven tightly together. The best part is that you can start using it as soon as the day after you give birth. Since everyone’s body is a little different if you have concerns or discomfort occurs please consult your physician (aka ‘Ole doc).

Here is what our top Beverly Hills OB/GYN, Dr. Jay Goldberg had to say to our questions…

Why should a new mother use the Belly Bandit™?
Abdominal compression wraps provide additional back support and expedite the rate at which the abdomen returns to its pre-pregnancy state.

How does the Belly Bandit™ work?
It compresses the portion of the body it’s wrapped around, forcing the lower back to straighten and taking tension off this area. By constricting the abdomen, the Belly Bandit™ provides better support and more confidence for the new mom recovering from her obstetrical experience.

How quickly after birth can you use the Belly Bandit™?
The Belly Bandit™ can be worn within 24 hours of delivery.

Can I use the Belly Bandit™ after a c-section?
Absolutely. Wearing an abdominal compression wrap after a c-section may actually decrease the post-op recovery time by minimizing associated incision pain, which allows greater mobility post-surgery. Of course, consult with your physician before you do so.

Who do you recommend the Belly Bandit™ for?
I recommend the Belly Bandit™ to any patient in the postpartum period, whether recovering from a vaginal delivery or a c-section.

How long would you suggest that a patient use the Belly Bandit™?
Everybody’s different. 4-6 weeks after delivery seems sensible.

When you can wear the Belly Bandit™?
The Belly Bandit™ can be worn all day long, and even while you sleep. It’s most important that you feel comfortable while wearing the Belly Bandit™, but there are no restrictions as to how long throughout the day it can be worn. It’s not meant to be worn in water and therefore should be removed for baths and showers.

Does the Belly Bandit™ take the place of diet & exercise?
Absolutely not. In fact, I would hope it would make new mothers more aware of their bodies and encourage them to eat a well-balanced, healthy diet, and exercise on a regular basis.

Why are you on board?
I’m on board because I believe the postpartum period is a transition into a new lifestyle that doesn’t necessarily focus on the new mom and her well-being. Mothers, more often than not, sacrifice their self-care for that of their newborn. The Belly Bandit™ encourages better posture, abdominal support, and self-confidence. It’s something easy new moms can do to take care of themselves as their focus shifts to caring for the new person in their lives.

Can or should I wear this during my workouts?
Absolutely. This is great for back support and encouraging a stronger core.

Is this still advantageous to wear even if I don’t put it on right after delivering?
Although we recommend wearing your Belly Bandit™ right after you deliver for 6-8 weeks, there is no reason why you shouldn’t wear it whenever you can or want to. Other benefits of the product (such as additional back support help with better posture etc.), may lead to more movement and in turn may help women get back to their pre-pregnancy weight quicker. Any additional confidence this may add can only be a benefit the customer. I hear all the time how clothes are not fitting or the weight is not falling off fast enough, so even if you didn’t wear it immediately after birth, every little bit helps.

Learn more about Belly Bandit sizing information.

The Belly Bandit Original retails for $45.95.  Please look for other Belly Bandit styles and colors in our boutique, Madre Gear.

Leave a comment here to be entered into the drawing.  The giveaway will close on October 13, 2009 at 11:59 p.m.  The winner will be chosen on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 via Random.org.  The winner will be notified by email and I will ask what size the winner would like.  Completely optional, you can gain more entries by signing up for the Madre Gear Newsletter, becoming our fan on our brand new Madre Gear Facebook page (still under construction but I promise to add more soon!), follow me on Twitter, or subscribe to the blog feed by email or RSS.  Please leave additional comments as your extra entries.

Thank you for participating and good luck!