What are the benefits of bengkung?

After months of pregnancy, most mothers look forward to their pre-pregnancy bodies- no more aches, bulges and a lighter and easier time moving around. But a postpartum belly needs time to heal before it goes back to how it was before. A mother’s body goes through so many changes as a baby grows in it. Her skin stretches and abdominal separates to accommodate and deliver her newborn. That is why belly binding around a mom’s abdomen can help to ease these back to their original state, holding her muscles and skin in place, as her body heals. 

One of the most popular postpartum support garments is the Bengkung, which originated in Malaysia. The Bengkung is an affordable and customisable strip of cotton muslin, twisted and wrapped around from the bust to the hips, with the option of applying herbal oils or creams. 

There are many physical and emotional benefits of binding your belly with Bengkung after birth: 

 Physical Benefits

Belly binding can help a mother’s body heal faster, by providing constant pressure hence reducing postpartum bleeding time), to speed up the process of them reverting to their pre-pregnancy size.

Other than easing lower back pain that results from a new mom’s weaker abdominal muscles, by keeping the muscles in place during healing and closing, binding with bengkung may help diastasis recti. Additionally, as the mother’s cervix opens about 10cm during childbirth, binding your belly and applying steady pressure on the hips can help the cervix and pelvic floor close and revert to their pre-pregnancy size. 

Bengkung can also help improve a mother’s back posture, especially during breastfeeding, as you will not be able to slouch while bound. The proper breastfeeding posture will result in less muscle tension and back and shoulder pains. 

Emotional Benefits

Bounding yourself with a bengkung will help prevent feeling “empty” after giving birth, providing a comforting, safe and secure feeling and an emotional closure to months of pregnancy. Mothers from different cultures have reported feeling comfort from wrapping their womb warmly, as a gesture of self-care. Bengkung can also help provide a positive self-image by wrapping your stretched, flabby, saggy skin snugly after the labours of childbirth, to let it heal. Postpartum wrapping can also help to slim down and firm your hips, ribs and abdomen while guiding them gently to self-recovery. 

You can opt for a bengkung specialist or do it yourself with hand-sewn wraps or store-bought bengkung. It is best to start wearing bengkung on the fifth day after birth, for at least 40 days, as much as you want, although C-section moms should wait until their incision has healed first. To optimise the benefits of bengkung, mothers can also pamper themselves with some hot compress, herbal baths and postnatal massage to get back in shape sooner. 

Want to know more about traditional & modern methods of rejuvenation after birth? Download the Mama Net app today!