benkung belly binding
"I did the bengkung belly binding with Madison and cannot say enough amazing things! I feel so much better since having the binding done, my husband even says my mood changes once I am wrapped. Madison has been wonderful and can't think of anyone more wonderful to have had this experience with!" - Sheena
The benefits
- Accelerated postpartum slimming
- Healing support of pelvic and abdominal stretching and separation of muscles and ligaments, including diastasis recti
- Reduces postpartum afterpains and bleeding time
- Helps uterus and surrounding organs return to their pre-pregnant state
- Promotes good breastfeeding posture
- Reduces back pain
- Provides a sense of comfort and support to mother both physically and emotionally
- Meaningful in the emotional healing for mothers who’ve recently suffered a traumatic birth experience
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Professional Binding Service
Traditionally Malay women begin their bind on day 4 postpartum. However, as long as you are cleared by your healthcare provider to begin your bind, you may start as early as 24 hours postpartum. Starting your bind within the first week postpartum seems to be most effective, though the bind is likely to be beneficial even 3 months postpartum.
Once you are ready for your bind, I will travel to your location (hospital, home etc.) for each binding session. Each bind takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. You may choose however many days you would like the bind, and each day I will come back to your location to re-wrap you. This is necessary because as your uterus and other organs return to their pre-pregnant state, the bind will need to be tightened and modified so that the bind is always a custom fit to your shape and comfort. In combination with the wrap I provide the included option of a healing belly butter to moisturize the skin beneath the bind. During our last binding session, I will teach a family member or friend how to continue the binding if you desire to bind for an extended period of time.
Once you are ready for your bind, I will travel to your location (hospital, home etc.) for each binding session. Each bind takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. You may choose however many days you would like the bind, and each day I will come back to your location to re-wrap you. This is necessary because as your uterus and other organs return to their pre-pregnant state, the bind will need to be tightened and modified so that the bind is always a custom fit to your shape and comfort. In combination with the wrap I provide the included option of a healing belly butter to moisturize the skin beneath the bind. During our last binding session, I will teach a family member or friend how to continue the binding if you desire to bind for an extended period of time.
The history
Although there are many countries around the world who practice belly binding for postpartum health and healing, the Bengkung style of bind comes from Malaysia. There are a few different types of Bengkung, but the most popular style used in the US is the Java style Bengkung which you will see on this website.
The Bengkung tradition would start after giving birth as part of a 44 day confinement period called Pantang. Malay women would follow a detailed postpartum regimen and mostly stay in bed or their room the entire time. This period of rest was (and is) a time for the mother to heal and to bond with her new baby, which we commonly refer to as the “fourth trimester” or sometimes “babymooning”. During the 44 days, women practice a series of rituals including heated uterine massage, partaking of a special turmeric drink (Jamu), eating a special diet, enjoying herbal baths and participating in daily Bengkung binding.
Among all the practices and rituals pertaining to Pantang, the Bengkung is the cornerstone of the entire confinement period. It was believed that the uterus was a woman’s life source and if the uterus was healthy, it would translate throughout her entire body.
After giving birth, often a midwife would massage the woman’s uterus for the first 3 consecutive days with a hot stone wrapped in leaves and cloth. On day 4, the belly binding would start and was performed by a mother, grandmother or a midwife.
Today, modern Malaysian women still practice Pantang and Bengkung belly binding, though some choose to condense their confinement period and binding to 2 weeks or so. Still, the time is specifically reserved for mother and baby to heal, bond, learn to nurse and to honor and respect the postpartum time.
The Bengkung tradition would start after giving birth as part of a 44 day confinement period called Pantang. Malay women would follow a detailed postpartum regimen and mostly stay in bed or their room the entire time. This period of rest was (and is) a time for the mother to heal and to bond with her new baby, which we commonly refer to as the “fourth trimester” or sometimes “babymooning”. During the 44 days, women practice a series of rituals including heated uterine massage, partaking of a special turmeric drink (Jamu), eating a special diet, enjoying herbal baths and participating in daily Bengkung binding.
Among all the practices and rituals pertaining to Pantang, the Bengkung is the cornerstone of the entire confinement period. It was believed that the uterus was a woman’s life source and if the uterus was healthy, it would translate throughout her entire body.
After giving birth, often a midwife would massage the woman’s uterus for the first 3 consecutive days with a hot stone wrapped in leaves and cloth. On day 4, the belly binding would start and was performed by a mother, grandmother or a midwife.
Today, modern Malaysian women still practice Pantang and Bengkung belly binding, though some choose to condense their confinement period and binding to 2 weeks or so. Still, the time is specifically reserved for mother and baby to heal, bond, learn to nurse and to honor and respect the postpartum time.
FAQ
What time of day should I wear the belly bind?
Because the bind is generally worn during a postpartum confinement period when the mother is not very active, I recommend starting the bind in the evening before bed to reduce the chances of the bind shifting from activity during the day. However, the bind can be worn any time of the day you prefer.
How many hours should I wear the bind for?
You should wear the bind as long as it is comfortable, but 10-12 hours of wearing the bind is an excellent amount of time. Some clients will choose less time, and yet other clients who feel especially dedicated to gaining results from the bind will choose to wear the bind close to a full 24 hours, until I come back the next evening for the next binding session.
How many days should I wear the bind for?
The length of time to wear the bind should be self-evaluated. Traditionally, woman would wrap the bind each day for the 40 days of their confinement period. Today, both US and Malay women choose a condensed amount of time closer to 2 weeks or even shorter. I generally recommend binding for at least 5 days as long as the bind feels comfortable.
How long and wide is the bind?
The length and width of my binds will often vary as they are customized for each client, but an average length is around 16 yards long and about 8 inches wide.
How low should I start the bind and how high should I finish?
Starting and finishing the bind at the appropriate points is very important to ensure effectiveness, comfortability, and safety. The bind should start low on the mothers hips, just above the pubic bone, and covering the iliac crests so that the bind is covering the uterus completely. The bind should then go up to just under the bra line.
Can I shower with it on?
Because the bind is a cotton fabric I do not recommend showering with the bind on, but instead showering between your binding sessions.
If I've had a cesarean birth can I still utilize the belly bind?
Yes, using a Bengkung belly bind can be very useful for a mother who has had a cesarean birth. HOWEVER, you must wait until doing so is cleared by your doctor this is generally around 4-6 weeks postpartum.
Are there custom binds for plus size mothers?
Yes! Binds can be made for every shape and size. However not all bind fabric options may be available for plus size binds, and binds 18 yards or over may require an additional fabric charge.
Does the bind hurt?
The bind should not hurt! If your bind is causing pain, unwrap and give your body a few days more to rest before trying the bind again. If you are still experiencing pain with the bind discontinue until consulting with your healthcare provider. Occasionally pain with the bind may be associated with bloating or gas coupled with the hug of the bind, or if a woman has a decent sized vaginal tear.
Can the bind help with my Diastasis Recti?
Although the effect of Bengkung on diastasis has not been studied, many new mothers have chosen the Bengkung to aid the healing of their diastasis and have sworn by the results they experience. See what this mother of 3 had to say about her experience:
"Madison is an incredibly sweet and helpful person. I used her belly binding services. I had an umbilical hernia and got diastasis recti with my third pregnancy. She came to me after the birth and wrapped me. The support was amazing. She was also flexible about which days to come. She taught me how to wrap myself but it is worth it to have her come and do it for you. My stomach went way down and I healed my diastasis recti within a few weeks with the binding and doing gentle ab exercises. I had used a different wrap previously and the bengkung belly binding is definitely worth it. I will use her again with the next birth"
- Laura
Where does the Bengkung come from?
The Bengkung style of binding is a Malaysian tradition as part of a postpartum confinement period called Pantang. For a detailed overview about the Bengkung during Pantang, click here.
Why would I use a Bengkung instead of a commercial bind such as the belly bandit?
It is important to understand what benefits the Bengkung has over commercial binds such as the Belly Bandit, FitSplint, Squeem etc. The most important include:
1) Commercial binds usually do not cover the pelvis. This is probably the most important difference in the Bengkung. Generally, commercial binds start on the abdomen, right above the hip bones. While much of the postpartum repairing is focused on the abdomen, if all the biding is occurring above the hips, it can cause increased pressure on the pelvic floor as it pushes the uterus and surrounding organs downward. The Bengkung starts just above the pubic bone and extends with an upward tension covering the entire uterus.
2) The Bengkung is the most customizable bind. Most commercial binds come in generic sizes (small, medium, large etc.) and often times, as a mother’s postpartum body changes, she will need to purchase more than one bind size. The Bengkung on the other hand is one long piece of fabric customized by length and width to ensure you only need to buy one for your entire postpartum needs. Because postpartum bodies change so rapidly, it’s beneficial to have a bind that is re-wrapped daily to fit perfectly to your body each day.
Because the bind is generally worn during a postpartum confinement period when the mother is not very active, I recommend starting the bind in the evening before bed to reduce the chances of the bind shifting from activity during the day. However, the bind can be worn any time of the day you prefer.
How many hours should I wear the bind for?
You should wear the bind as long as it is comfortable, but 10-12 hours of wearing the bind is an excellent amount of time. Some clients will choose less time, and yet other clients who feel especially dedicated to gaining results from the bind will choose to wear the bind close to a full 24 hours, until I come back the next evening for the next binding session.
How many days should I wear the bind for?
The length of time to wear the bind should be self-evaluated. Traditionally, woman would wrap the bind each day for the 40 days of their confinement period. Today, both US and Malay women choose a condensed amount of time closer to 2 weeks or even shorter. I generally recommend binding for at least 5 days as long as the bind feels comfortable.
How long and wide is the bind?
The length and width of my binds will often vary as they are customized for each client, but an average length is around 16 yards long and about 8 inches wide.
How low should I start the bind and how high should I finish?
Starting and finishing the bind at the appropriate points is very important to ensure effectiveness, comfortability, and safety. The bind should start low on the mothers hips, just above the pubic bone, and covering the iliac crests so that the bind is covering the uterus completely. The bind should then go up to just under the bra line.
Can I shower with it on?
Because the bind is a cotton fabric I do not recommend showering with the bind on, but instead showering between your binding sessions.
If I've had a cesarean birth can I still utilize the belly bind?
Yes, using a Bengkung belly bind can be very useful for a mother who has had a cesarean birth. HOWEVER, you must wait until doing so is cleared by your doctor this is generally around 4-6 weeks postpartum.
Are there custom binds for plus size mothers?
Yes! Binds can be made for every shape and size. However not all bind fabric options may be available for plus size binds, and binds 18 yards or over may require an additional fabric charge.
Does the bind hurt?
The bind should not hurt! If your bind is causing pain, unwrap and give your body a few days more to rest before trying the bind again. If you are still experiencing pain with the bind discontinue until consulting with your healthcare provider. Occasionally pain with the bind may be associated with bloating or gas coupled with the hug of the bind, or if a woman has a decent sized vaginal tear.
Can the bind help with my Diastasis Recti?
Although the effect of Bengkung on diastasis has not been studied, many new mothers have chosen the Bengkung to aid the healing of their diastasis and have sworn by the results they experience. See what this mother of 3 had to say about her experience:
"Madison is an incredibly sweet and helpful person. I used her belly binding services. I had an umbilical hernia and got diastasis recti with my third pregnancy. She came to me after the birth and wrapped me. The support was amazing. She was also flexible about which days to come. She taught me how to wrap myself but it is worth it to have her come and do it for you. My stomach went way down and I healed my diastasis recti within a few weeks with the binding and doing gentle ab exercises. I had used a different wrap previously and the bengkung belly binding is definitely worth it. I will use her again with the next birth"
- Laura
Where does the Bengkung come from?
The Bengkung style of binding is a Malaysian tradition as part of a postpartum confinement period called Pantang. For a detailed overview about the Bengkung during Pantang, click here.
Why would I use a Bengkung instead of a commercial bind such as the belly bandit?
It is important to understand what benefits the Bengkung has over commercial binds such as the Belly Bandit, FitSplint, Squeem etc. The most important include:
1) Commercial binds usually do not cover the pelvis. This is probably the most important difference in the Bengkung. Generally, commercial binds start on the abdomen, right above the hip bones. While much of the postpartum repairing is focused on the abdomen, if all the biding is occurring above the hips, it can cause increased pressure on the pelvic floor as it pushes the uterus and surrounding organs downward. The Bengkung starts just above the pubic bone and extends with an upward tension covering the entire uterus.
2) The Bengkung is the most customizable bind. Most commercial binds come in generic sizes (small, medium, large etc.) and often times, as a mother’s postpartum body changes, she will need to purchase more than one bind size. The Bengkung on the other hand is one long piece of fabric customized by length and width to ensure you only need to buy one for your entire postpartum needs. Because postpartum bodies change so rapidly, it’s beneficial to have a bind that is re-wrapped daily to fit perfectly to your body each day.