What Is a Belly Band, and Do I Need One?

The term “belly band” is often used to describe a variety of accessories in the maternity market. Most commonly, it is a soft and seamless stretchy band of fabric that’s worn around the waistline of pants in early pregnancy to conceal an open button or zipper. It’s a lifesaver when your favorite jeans no longer fit, but your bump is still too small for maternity pants.
Bonus: a belly band is a chic replacement for the annoying rubber band hack.

How are belly bands and maternity belts different?

Maternity bands and belts differ on purpose and materials. They also typically meet specific needs throughout pregnancy and after. Always consult your doctor first to determine what is best for you.

• Early to mid-stage pregnancy: A belly band is an accessory worn to smooth out and hold up unfastened pants. It’s a soft, stretchy, and unstructured tube that is pulled up and positioned in place around your waist.

• Mid to late-stage pregnancy: A maternity belt is an adjustable support garment used to provide light-to-medium support to a growing belly during pregnancy. It redistributes weight and relieves back pressure. Belts are worn wrapped under a full belly.

• Postpartum: An Afterband® is a postpartum belly band that provides light compression and support to a soft recovering belly. It shapes beneath clothing and engages core muscles. Worn under clothes, it’s pulled up and positioned in place around your waist.
*For postpartum use only: check with your doctor before using a compression band.

||Pregnant woman wearing a beige bra, white Bellaband, and blue jeans on a white background

Early to mid-stage pregnancy

A belly band is an accessory worn to smooth out and hold up unfastened pants. It's a soft, stretchy, and unstructured tube that is pulled up and positioned in place around your waist.

Mid to late-stage pregnancy

A maternity belt is an adjustable support garment used to provide light-to-medium support to a growing belly during pregnancy. It redistributes weight and relieves back pressure. Belts are worn wrapped under a full belly.

Postpartum

An Afterband is a postpartum belly band that provides light compression and support to a soft recovering belly. It shapes beneath clothing and engages core muscles. Worn under clothes, it's pulled up and positioned in place around your waist.

Do belly bands really work?

Yes, a properly sized belly band provides light tension to securely hold unfastened pants and jeans in place. Folded, it also provides gentle support to a growing belly. Some women wear a belly band for a short period of time while their belly takes shape, and others swear by one for their entire pregnancy.

What is The Bellaband®?

The Bellaband by Ingrid & Isabel is the original belly band, introduced in 2003. The patented design combines seamlessly smooth fabric with the perfect amount of hold to help women get dressed for over two decades. There are plenty of dupes, but only the original delivers on quality and performance.

Is the Bellaband safe for pregnancy?

Bellaband is not a compression garment. The hold it provides is gentle and targeted to hold up your pants during pregnancy. It’s safe to wear throughout all trimesters.

How do I wear a Bellaband?

Bellaband can be worn up and over the belly or folded over on itself for extra coverage and support. Position the silicone strip along the bottom for a firm hold on pants – this keeps the band from rolling as you move throughout the day.

How long can I use a Bellaband?

It’s entirely up to you! Some mamas prefer to wear it in the first trimester when they just begin to show, and again in the months after giving birth to transition back into non-maternity denim. Others swear by the Bellaband throughout their entire pregnancy for a custom fit in maternity bottoms. When you are finished, pass to another newly pregnant mama and share the wardrobe stable that extends the life of your non-maternity wardrobe.